Updated October 2026
The best places to meet singles in Los Angeles are Social Lingo LA (language exchange parties), Highland Park Bowl, and EightyTwo. Go on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday evening, when they are at their liveliest and it is easiest to start a conversation.
Los Angeles is spread out and lives in its cars, so people rarely bump into each other by chance. The trick is to go where an activity does the introductions: a game, a dance class, a shared table at a food market.
These ten places from Santa Monica to Highland Park are real and open, checked in October 2026, with a mix of ages, budgets and nights of the week.
See who nearby is free this evening and send one message. No swiping. Free, 18+.
Event seriesSanta Monica$All ages
A multilingual social on Wednesday evenings: you get name tags for the languages you speak and want to practise, then mingle over drinks, with dancing later. Entry is about 5 dollars, and talking to strangers is the whole point. Check the group page for the next date before going.
Solidarity, 1414 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401 · Takes bookings
Bowling alley and barHighland Park$$20s
A restored vintage bowling alley with bars and food, open every evening and from noon at weekends. Lanes and a lively bar crowd on Figueroa give you an easy reason to start talking.
5621 N Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90042 · Takes bookings
Arcade barArts District, Downtown$20s
A vintage arcade bar with over 55 pinball and arcade machines, a big patio and DJs. Entry is free and first come, first served, and waiting for a machine or challenging someone to a game is a natural opener. Strictly 21+.
707 E 4th Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90013 · Walk-in
Food hallDowntown (Historic Core)$All ages
A historic food hall with dozens of stalls, open daily from 8am to 9pm. Shared counters and communal tables make small talk easy, and Angels Flight is right across the street for a short ride afterwards.
317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013 · Walk-in
Open-air food marketArts District, Downtown$All ages
A large outdoor food market every Sunday from 10am to 4pm with free entry and dozens of vendors. Queues and picnic tables are full of people happy to share a recommendation, which makes it an easy daytime place to meet people.
ROW DTLA, 777 S Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90021 · Walk-in
Rooftop barDowntown (Pershing Square)$$30s
A rooftop bar and restaurant high above Pershing Square, with outdoor patios, city views and a weekday happy hour. The after-work crowd makes it a good place to meet people over a drink.
448 S Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90013 · Takes bookings
Cuban restaurant with salsa nightsHollywood$$40+
A Cuban restaurant with live salsa bands on Friday and Saturday nights and a dance lesson at 8:30pm before the music starts. A mixed, often older crowd, and partner dancing means you meet plenty of people in one evening.
1253 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90038 · Takes bookings
PubFairfax District / Miracle Mile$40+
A historic Irish pub open since 1936, known for its Irish coffee, horseshoe-shaped bar and shamrocks on the ceiling. Trivia and sports nights and a relaxed regular crowd make it easy to chat. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
840 S Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036 · Walk-in
Lounge barSanta Monica$$$30s
A beach-house style lounge in the Fairmont Miramar with a patio, pool and ping pong tables, open Thursday to Saturday evenings. It gets busy and social at weekends, a short walk from the pier.
Fairmont Miramar, 101 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401 · Takes bookings
Cooking classSanta Monica$$$30s
A cooking school with hands-on classes in small groups, from technique and pastry to date-night menus with wine. Cooking side by side is a relaxed way to get talking, and couples classes also work as a later date.
395 Santa Monica Pl, Suite 323, Santa Monica, CA 90401 · Takes bookings
Popular places to meet people in Los Angeles include Social Lingo LA (language exchange parties), Highland Park Bowl (bowling alley and bar), and EightyTwo (arcade bar). All of them are easy to visit alone or with friends.
Pick an indoor spot such as LACMA (Friday evenings) or The Broad (Thursday evenings). Both work well for a first date in any weather.
In the YesTonite City Index, Los Angeles is number 39 of 112 cities for dating, with a dating score of 6.8 out of 10.
Open YesTonite and see who in Los Angeles is going out tonight. Say hi, agree on a time and meet at one of the places on this page.
Checked October 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so call or check the website before you go.
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