Archive · 9 Aug 2026
Singles ditch dating apps for photobooths, pickleball and meet-ups
Some grown-ups are tired of using phone apps to find people to date.
So they are trying new, fun ways to meet in real life instead.
In New York, grown-ups queued up for a photo booth called Missed Connections.
They answered 26 questions, took a picture, and paid ten dollars.
Their photo was left for someone else to find, like sending a note out to the universe.
4,000 people tried it, even though it was not a sure way to get a date.
The people who made the booth say it is not for finding a date this Friday; it just feels magical to think someone is out there.
In India, people are also trying new things.
Some chefs in Gurugram invite singles over for dinner, and a famous matchmaker named Sima Taparia hosts meet-ups.
People can also play pickleball, hoping to meet someone special without an app.
New York's Missed Connections Booth drew 4,000 singles who answered 26 questions, took photos and paid $10.
The booth was a collaboration between dating start-up Matchbox, social media account Meet Cutes NYC and photobooth vendor Faceplace.
Matchbox co-founder Liam McGregor said the booth is not for finding a date this Friday but offers a whimsical, magical feeling that someone is out there.
A 'single fatigue' with dating apps is pushing people toward run clubs, book clubs, queer bars and other in-person events.
Across India, Gurugram home chefs host singles dinners, Sima Taparia runs meet-ups, pickleball courts are booked, and Mumbai and Bengaluru kink groups plan a supper for 'pain lovers.'
- Who
- Singles in New York and across India, along with dating start-up Matchbox, social media account Meet Cutes NYC, photobooth vendor Faceplace and matchmaker Sima Taparia.
- What
- A shift away from dating apps toward in-person matchmaking experiences such as photobooth matchmaking, home chef dinners and pickleball events.
- When
- August, described as ripe with in-person matchmaking events across India; no specific date is given for the New York booth.
- Where
- New York City and across India, including Gurugram, Mumbai and Bengaluru, with Delhi mentioned as a site for singles mixers.
- Why
- Singles are experiencing fatigue with dating apps and are seeking more real, whimsical and human connections.
Offline romance revival
Dating apps keep their place
Dating apps vs. in-person events
Offline romance revival
Singles burned out by the dating app 'circle of hell' are seeking something 'more real' through run clubs, book clubs, queer bars and in-person events like the photobooth.
Dating apps keep their place
The photobooth's creators say the event is not trying to replace dating apps and would not be recommended for finding a date this Friday, meaning apps remain the practical way to arrange dates.
Whimsy vs. actual matchmaking
Offline romance revival
The low odds are part of the appeal: the booth offers a 'whimsical and magical feeling of there's someone out there for me,' a hopeful 'side quest' for singles.
Dating apps keep their place
Unless a participant finds the photographed person attractive and becomes obsessed, they reportedly 'won't or can't' find them online, and the event may mainly yield a cute social media reel; the author also wonders if it 'won't turn into another nightmare.'
- Event
- Missed Connections Booth
- Organisers
- Matchbox, Meet Cutes NYC, Faceplace
- Participants
- 4,000 singles
- Cost
- $10 per participant
- Questions
- 26 questions per participant
- Location
- New York; in-person events also in Gurugram, Mumbai and Bengaluru
- Organiser quote
- Liam McGregor: 'It has this whimsy and this magical feeling of there's someone out there for me'