Can Joining a Club Land You a Date?
How many times have you asked yourself “Where can I meet new people?” or “How do I get to know new people in an environment that doesn’t feel awkward and intimidating?” Atlanta offers several answers to these questions in the form of clubs. No, not night clubs, so erase the mental image of dim rooms, flashing lights, and loud music. Outdoors clubs, sports clubs, dinner clubs, among others, are ideal ways of meeting people with similar interests. From playing a few rounds of golf, to hiking a mountain, to eating at a new restaurant, these activities offer opportunities for singles to socialize in a low-pressure, fun-filled way and to meet potential dates.
Common questions arise when club participation is mentioned: “Don’t I have to pay a lot of money to be part of a club? I may meet new people at first, but won’t it eventually be the same faces all the time; what if I’m not interested in anyone there? Don’t these clubs require a lot of time and commitment on my part?”
Some clubs do have membership fees, but many clubs are free to join—you only pay when you participate. Some clubs do require a certain time commitment (group meetings for example), but many do not; you simply choose which events you want to attend. Also, although you will consistently see many of the same faces, new members will join as well. There is, however, nothing wrong with switching to a new group if the one you initially choose does not provide the prospects you hoped for. But who knows? Maybe members of a group will introduce you to some of their friends. It is all about social networking after all.
A few other considerations when choosing a club are whether or not it has an age restriction and whether it is for singles only or for singles as well as couples. Both specifications allow you to narrow down the multiple club options based on the demographic that most suits you.
Below are several Atlanta-area clubs to get you started:
Adventure Club
Adventure Club hosts a variety of events including cooking classes, comedy club outings, and travel. They also have their own social networking match system.
Web: www.adventureclub.com
Demographic: all ages; singles and couples
Cost: $35 for one person; $60 per two-person group (married, dating, or two friends)
Atlanta Outdoor Club
Atlanta Outdoor Club organizes many outdoor events such as hiking, camping, backpacking, caving, mountain biking, white water rafting, kayaking, and canoeing. They also organize a monthly social event “and ‘special’ outdoor activities such as survival skills classes, hang-gliding, sailing, scuba diving and environmental support projects.” Events take place in Georgia, the greater southeast, and sometimes beyond.
Web: www.atlantaoutdoorclub.com
Demographic: 21 years-old and up; singles and couples
Cost: no cost to join
Atlanta Single Hikers
Atlanta Single Hikers (ASH) is geared towards singles who like to hike in particular, though other activities such as backpacking, canoeing, rafting, rock climbing, spelunking, mountain biking, and overnight camping trips are sometimes scheduled. Hikes are rated as “easy,” “moderate,” or “strenuous” in order to aid participants in choosing trips that are appropriate to their tastes and abilities. ASH also schedules other activities including several monthly social events and seasonal events.
Web: www.atlantasinglehikers.com
Demographic: 18 years-old and up; singles only
Cost: no cost to join
Events and Adventures
Events and Adventures organizes a wide variety of outings including movie nights, concerts, dinners, kayaking, game nights, and more.
Web: www.lotsofevents.com
Phone: 1-888-600-5999
Demographic: all ages; singles only
Cost: Monthly dues plus cost of events. Call for pricing.
Singles Dinner Club
Singles Dinner Club organizes outings to restaurants in and around Atlanta. Dinners are at reasonable hours to accommodate busy professionals’ lifestyles. Brunches and lunches are also occasionally scheduled on weekends.
Web: www.singlesdinnerclub.com
Phone: 770-621-0255
Demographic: 39 years-old and up; singles only
Cost: Call for pricing.
Singles for Service
The goal of the club is “to help good people meet good people, while doing good things.” This club combines online dating with community service events to help individuals meet other quality singles while doing something good for the community.
Web: www.singlesforservice.com
Demographic: all ages; singles only
Cost: no cost to join
American Singles Golf Association
Members meet to play golf as often as they like and the organization also organizes several social-only events throughout the year. General membership meetings are held once per month.
Web: www.singlesgolf.com
Phone: 1-888-GOLFMATE or 704-889-4600
Demographic: 21 years-old and up; singles only
Cost: $70 for one-year membership; $100 for one-year membership and a logo’d golf shirt; $140 for two-year membership and logo’d golf shirt
Singles Outdoor Adventures
Singles Outdoor Adventures hosts a variety of activities including hiking, backpacking, camping, bicycling, rafting, and canoeing. Activities vary in difficulty so the club “offers a terrain rating system for you to use, along with the pace and distance” which helps members determine what trips are suitable to their ability and tastes.
Web: www.singlesoutdooradventures.org
Demographic: 21 years-old and up; singles only
Cost: no cost to join
Young Active Professionals
Young Active Professionals is not a singles club. The group has several chapters throughout the world including most major US cities. Each chapter features events, profiles, forums, nightlife and entertainment guides as well as reviews of restaurants, bars, night clubs and other venues.
Web: www.yapclub.com
Demographic: 21-45 years-old; singles and couples
Cost: no cost to join
