Cincinnati, Ohio — A growing number of individuals are turning away from dating apps and opting for traditional methods of meeting potential partners. This shift is evident in the experiences of couples like Ross Rohling and Carlee Berns, who met at a singles event. "When we tell people that we met at a singles event, they're like, 'No way, they still have those?'" Berns said. "I'm like, 'Oh yeah, you should go.'"

Rohling and Berns, who recently got engaged, met at an event organized by Date Cincy, a matchmaking series created by Paige Brailey and Logan Moore. The duo launched the series to cater to those tired of swiping on dating apps and seeking genuine connections in person. "It seems like the millennials are the ones who kind of make up the bulk of our events," Brailey noted.

Research indicates that millennials, aged 29 to 45, were the first to adopt dating apps and are now leading the trend of moving away from them. Gen Z, those aged 13 to 28, are also using these apps less frequently. "So now there's this craving and this yearning for just, time like this, right, where we're just connecting face-to-face with other humans," Brailey added.

At Date Cincy's events, attendance has surged, with between 50 and 800 singles participating, all eager to meet others without the anonymity of online interactions. "You meet them in person, and then it's like, oh, well, we actually have nothing in common, or you're not who I thought you were," Moore explained.

The decline of dating apps is reflected in the significant drop in Bumble's stock value, which has plummeted by 90% since its public offering four years ago. Meanwhile, the popularity of dating and singles events is on the rise, with attendance increasing by 42% from 2022 to 2023, according to Eventbrite.

Berns acknowledged the potential awkwardness of in-person dating, saying, "It's probably going to be awkward, just acknowledge it will be awkward. And just go in with an open mind, and who knows, maybe you'll meet someone and go on a first date and it goes well."

Rohling and Berns are among the success stories from Date Cincy, with Rohling stating, "I knew within the first month that I was going to marry her." He emphasized the importance of face-to-face interactions, saying, "It's just part of the human nature. You get filled with a passion, you get filled with excitement and energy because you feel that chemistry."