At this point, you can add “Meeting your significant other at a bar” to the long list of things Millennials have “killed,” as dating apps like Tinder have become the tool of choice for people seeking relationships.
I met my girlfriend of over a year through Tinder and used Tinder off and on throughout college to meet new people and set up dates. I know firsthand how difficult it is to get matches, spark up interesting conversation and then finally figuring out a venue for your first rendezvous.
There are a lot of variables at hand when trying to set up that first date on Tinder. You certainly want to meet someplace public, and you don’t want your venue of choice to seem too forward, or not forward enough.
It’s up to you to gauge the situation, but as the resident AZ BIG Media Tinder expert, here, I have curated a list of some great destinations in Phoenix you can meet your Tinder match at for the first time.
The general theme here is casual, less tense places, because who wants to meet a relative stranger from the Internet for the first time at the fanciest restaurant in town?
Lux Central – 4400 N. Central Ave., Phoenix
This coffee bar has it all. Coffee, tea, beer, wine, baked goods and more. Coffee shops like Lux are the perfect places for Tinder meetups. You can stay for as long, or briefly as you like. There are always tons of people around (for safety), but they are all hard at work so you don’t feel like the world is watching you and your potentially horrifically awkward first encounter. Also, when the weather is fine, you can catch some beautiful cityscape sunsets.
Phoenix Art Museum – 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix
All of your awkward silences finally have a good excuse while you’re at the Phoenix Art Museum. On top of that, each and every piece is a conversation starter if you find yourself reaching for things to talk about. And, one of the best things about this place for a potential first Tinder date is that it’s free on Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on select days. Since it’s free, you won’t have to do that weird awkward dance of who’s going to pay the tab. And you can surround yourself by the beauty of art and all of the wonderful works on display, which is hopelessly romantic, I’d say.
Pedal Haus Brewery – 730 S. Mill Ave., Tempe
Located in the heart of downtown Tempe’s Mill Ave., Pedal Haus offers a relaxed and fun environment with its own haus-brewed craft beer and a large outdoor beer garden and patio featuring a variety of fun indoor and outdoor games. Positioned next to a AMC movie theater, see a movie then grab a drink and get to know each other over a competitive game of corn hole. Pedal Haus is the perfect spot to host your next Tinder date.
Hike on Camelback Mountain – 6131 E. Cholla Lane or 4925 E. McDonald Dr.
You can show your Tinder date just how sporty and adventurous you are by taking them on a hike to Camelback Mountain. It may not be the best idea during the summer, but the rest of the year you’ll be able to take in some of the most beautiful views in the Valley from the mountain’s peak. Just bring plenty of water, and be safe.
Cornish Pasty Co. – 7 W. Monroe St., Phoenix
If you’re more into the nightlife, and want to be close to the light rail, then the Downtown Phoenix location of Cornish Pasty Co. would be a great place to meet your Tinder date. The place serves good drinks, there are pool tables and delicious food is just an order away. This spot is also great because there are several other bars and restaurants in the area if you want to extend the Tinder date beyond Cornish.
Desert Botanical Garden – 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix
Explore a breath-taking garden with your Tinder match. There are plenty of photo opportunities, fun things to learn and it’s great to get to know someone for the first time as you make your way through the trails. You can also catch Arizona’s wonderful sunsets, surrounded by beauty (this is your cue to compliment your Tinder date) . Also, suggesting this place may show that you’re a cut above other Tinder users who suggest their bedrooms as the first place to meet.
Rack Scottsdale – 3636 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale
Rack Scottsdale is Old Town’s only pool table lounge, offering four large pool tables inside and one outside on a large patio. If you’re looking for a more relaxed place with friendly competition where you can impress them with your sweet pool skills, Rack will do the trick. Enjoy pool, ping pong, life size Connect4 and more.
Changing Hands Bookstore – 300 W. Camelback Rd., Phoenix
A bookstore can unlock a lot of interesting facts about your date. You can find out many of their interests just by asking what kind books they read. Or you can find out they don’t read. Then you should run for the hills. But, the Phoenix location of Changings Hands hosts many fun authors events to attend, and has a bar that serves libations and coffee. What more would you want?
The Painters Lounge – 1001 N. Third Ave., Phoenix
Show off your art skills, or lack thereof, at the Painters Lounge. The two of you can drink wine and let the self-deprecating humor fly. And if the date goes bad, at least you walked away with a cool painting you just made. As far as bad dates go, this one wasn’t so bad after all.
La Grande Orange Grocery – 4410 N. 40th St., Phoenix
You can go several ways with this date, it can either be a romantic evening, a casual meetup over coffee and baked goods, or a prolonged people-watching session. The two of you can browse through the grocery store, or just hang out at the grocery for as long as you’d like. And, as a bonus, if both of you have bicycles, La Grande Orange is one of the best places to ride your bike to from many Central Phoenix Locations.
