We asked the guys to share the best spots for meeting guys in each of their home towns. From New York to Atlanta to Boston to D.C. to LA -- to man-magnet locations that work anywhere in the world -- we've got you covered!
New York City - geeky hipster guys.
Chic Geek says:
1. Barcade - Excellent craft beer selection and wall-to-wall '80s arcade games. Right now, your soulmate is waiting for you by the Gauntlet machine.
2. Big Quiz Thing and Pete's Candy Store Quizz-Off - Trivia nights are a good place to meet eligible nerd bachelors. Form a team with friends, pick a clever name, put away your smartphone (no Googling!) and test your knowledge of useful minutia. To maximize your mingling, grab your best wing-gal and ask a cute geek if you can join his team.
3. Bergen Comics - The best place to pick up the latest Walking Dead graphic novel and a bearded hipster.
4. The 24-hour Apple Store on Fifth Avenue - It's a shiny cube filled with techies, hipsters, and European tourists checking their email. Hang out long enough and you're bound to meet someone. Or at least score a new Nano.
5. Any concert, film screening, dance night, or Labyrinth sing-a-long at The Bell House or 92 Y Tribeca.
6. The unemployment line - I kid, I kid. Hipsters have plenty of trust fund money.
New York City - any kind of guy.
Funny Guy says:
I employed the help of one of my close female buddies - Z-Cup. She's what I like to call a "mangnate," AKA man magnet. But more importantly, she takes initiative and will kick it to fellas if need be. Here are her picks:
1. The line at Shake Shack in Madison Square Park: A great place to make conversation with endless salivating guys under a canopy of trees. Also, the nearby dog run is a solid spot.
2. Cocktails at Maison Premiere: Nestled in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, this old-timey New Orleans-themed bar provides the vibe and location to meet guys. Whether you saddle up to the front circular bar for a julep or sit in the manicured back patio under hanging lanterns, chances are you'll be surrounded by handsome and engaging gentleman.
3. Mercury Lounge: It's almost too easy to talk to male strangers at Mercury Lounge. Simply smile and drop the line, "Which band are you here to see?" The venue showcases local and buzz bands on the edge of glory; because the club is fairly small and the vibe is killer, it's easy to meet the musicians and find yourself sipping whiskey in the basement with the talent. And, let's face it, everyone feels sexier when you're "with the band."
And here are some NYC hotspots I, (FG) think you ought to consider:
The Highline, The Standard hotel, Bryant Park Monday Night Movie Night, Ace Hotel, ferry to Governors Island, Whole Foods Market on Houston, Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg, subway rides, waiting at any of the 49,000 crosswalks around here.
Atlanta - guys you'll fall in love with.
Wise-Ass says:
All I will say for my beloved hometown is that Atlanta was number one on The Daily Beast's 2009 list of the best cities to meet men, and number 32 (of 104) on their list of best places to find love. If you're tired of cold weather and colder guys, come on down!
Boston - funny tough guys.
Reformed Player says:
Hangout spots in Boston to meet guys...hmmm...the problem is, Bostonians aren't really that friendly a bunch: they like to drink, they like to eat, and that's about it.
1. Improv Boston: a local comedy club that has a lot of events and mixers in addition to some great comedy shows.
2. Eastern Standard: a high-class bar near Fenway Park that attracts foodies from the entire metro area.
3. The Beehive: A great jazz club in the South End.
4. Deep Ellum: The one great bar in Allston.
5. Brighton Beer Garden: OK, OK, maybe not, but it's the only place in Boston where you can get drunk while watching a magician perform on Thursdays.
Washington, D.C. - young professional guys.
Girls' BFF says:
Washington, DC is an odd spot when it comes to dating. It's one of those cities where tons of young professionals come to be young and professional and walk up and down Georgetown or Foggy Bottom streets yelling, "I'm druuuuuuuuuunk! Wooooooooooo!" at 3am. Big fun. With that said, there is no shortage of women trying to find single men. While I can't honestly say that I pay THAT much attention to the ratios when I go out (let's face it, they're in my favor and I'm too busy ogling boobs to be noticing just how many boobs are there) a few spots have seemed to be dope places to meet single guys.
One spot in particular, where I was shocked by how many single, professional guys of all races congregated with minimal women present: Hip-Hop Karaoke at Liv Nightclub on U Street, NW. The first night I went I couldn't believe how many guys that looked employed were hanging out...with nary a woman in site. Which made me think about other karaoke spots I've been to in DC like The Meeting Place where folks go to have fun and lots of single people congregate.
DC also has some uniquely interesting art exhibits such as the recently departed Vitamin Water Uncapped Live warehouse transformation that lasted for a month. It was a great place to meet interesting new people interested in interesting things. And guys dig interesting art. So I'd suggest looking up the myriad art exhibits that run amuck in Washington, D.C.
Anywhere, U.S.A. - future-father-of-your-children guys.
Chiara Atik from HowAboutWe.com suggests:
-Midnight Movie Showings at the Ken Theater in San Diego, California
-Beer at the real life "Mac's Tavern" from "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" in Philly.
- Enjoy lunch (and celeb-watching) at Little Dom's in Los Feliz in LA.
-Go to Art Walk in downtown LA and eat at one of the hundreds of food trucks that swarm the event.
-Play some good old fashion board games while eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at Moogy's in Boston
-Go laugh at the paintings at the Museum of Bad Art at the Somerville Theatre. (Boston)
-See the stars at the Rock Creek Park planetarium. (It worked for Ross and Rachel?) -DC
-Get cocktails on the roof of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.
Gal Pal says:
Some locations are guy magnets anywhere in the country. I call these the "Best Spots to Meet the Future Father of Your Children" locations. Even if you're not on the daddy hunt, the qualities that make a good father usually make a good life partner. So here are the best spots to hit if you're looking for a long-haul kind of guy:
1. Softball Game
Participation in community sports leagues shows that a man has a playful side and a social network - both important factors in parenting. Whether it's a softball team, a pickup basketball game or a kickball league, some sort of extracurricular activity shows that this man might just be dad material. He's good at keeping weekly commitments and values a balanced life beyond the office.
Added bonus? You know he doesn't mind getting his hands dirty!
2. PETCO
Any pet-owning man has obviously earned his caretaking stripes. Pets are an enormous responsibility, and the fact that he's able to keep something alive and happy is a tell-tale sign that he's on the road to becoming a great dad. Owning a pet also demonstrates his ability to selflessly care for others beyond himself, a huge coup in the daddio department.
Added bonus? Animals are excellent icebreakers to human hearts and loyal companions for future little ones!
3. Whole Foods / grocery store meat counter.
Throughout the summer BBQ season, scope out the man who's shopping for meat to throw on the grill. Who's more dad-worthy than grillmaster? Taking charge, taming flames and cooking up protein. Dads need to be able to withstand heat, be leaders and - to put it plainly - fry up the bacon. (Because lord knows we're not going to do all the cooking!) Food shopping guys have all these traits and more.
Added bonus? Yum!
4. PTA Meeting
As this organization has the word parent in the title, it's a no-brainer jackpot for meeting past, present and future dads. The national PTA has even named a dad as its president. (A first in the organization's113-year history.) Now, if you don't already have a child in school, I'm not suggesting you go out and rent a kid (or little person) in order to gain access to all those single PTA dads. Instead, volunteer at a school or a youth organization, where you're certain to meet single fathers who've already proved themselves dad-worthy.
Added bonus? You know any future kids will already have an "in" at the best school in town!
5. The Home Depot
Show me a man who can build something with his hands and I'll show you a man who can build a life for you and your future kids. There's no better place to score a sperm-worthy spouse than in the aisles of "Daddy Depot." Any tape measure wielding man worth his salt knows the virtues of patience and practice, critical parenting techniques. And that old "Measure twice, cut once," is a great motto for all moms and dads.
Added bonus? He'll be able to build the kids their own tree house! Or, you know, at least buy the supplies for it.
The world - globetrotting guys.
Mystery Man says:
Pick any large bar within three miles of any military base. That close to the base and you are more likely to find singletons that groups, and the behavious is better as MP's can and do get there fast if there is any trouble.
Doesn't apply to Air Force bases (Except Edwards, of course), those guys have zero idea how to party.
Okay, ladies -- time to help your fellow single readers out. Where's the best place to meet guys in your town?
ok this is officially the first time i disagree with MM. and Gal Pal too. as the PTA President, if you come to my meetings i will be thrilled to see you and happy to share some home made lemon squares and fresh coffee, but thats about the only excitement i will be able to introduce you to lol and while i ask god to bless the troops every day, i would never date another. just ME tho. to compromise on both counts, how about the bar closest to the local fire hall? AFTER my PTA meeting. all the other suggestions were good ones too. nick makes a good point about hanging in places where your interests are. museums, bookstores, and libraries are places i meet men all the time, and there's something RIGHT THERE to talk about to break the ice. NOT places like starbucks/chapters joints. those are the guys that wanna look bookish while holding a $10 buck cup of coffee but have the magazine about cars in front of them.
I'm a Bostonian, through and through, and we aren't all the same . . . I actually am friendly, despite my love to eat and drink (just don't get in the middle while I'm doing either.) Love your suggestions, I would also suggest going to a game, basketball, baseball, football . . . we are a HUGE Sports city!
Deep Ellum isn't the ONLY great bar in Allston, btw . . .
The Home Depot rules!
Also try any sporting events, geek conventions, sporting goods stores, CVS, & maybe The Boat, Sport & Travel Show when it comes to town. Just think like a guy & go there...
I live near a military (marine) base and it's definitely a man feast out there almost every day of the week out there. I've met guys at pharmacies, at work, even driving. Problem (for me) is, most of the military guys are too young for me at 22-25 but still nice to flirt with.
Lowes or Home Depot are great places to meet men anywhere. Love a man who can work with his hands and move heavy stuff.
I've heard bowling is a good place to meet guys, too, but I hate bowling thus can't seem to get myself to try that one.
Hmmm.. lot of places. and they are good.. :D
Hmmm.. lot of places. and they are good.. :D