5 min read

Authentic Offline Dating Is Gaining Ground Among Singaporian Youth

Ever feel sick of dating apps? Think traditional matchmaking services cost a fortune? More and more young Singaporeans are quietly ditching online dating and dating apps, opting instead for offline dating services that use fresh approaches and come with friendlier price tags.

Enter Kopi Date, one of these new-style offline dating services. Founded in 2018, Kopi Date curates 1:1 coffee dates for singles aged 20 to 40, and has facilitated over 40,000 connections so far according to Zaobao, the well-respected Chinese-language media source.

How It Works

After being thoughtfully curated, the app guides users to meet at a designated café. To spark connection, each pair receives an in-app “Experience Kit,” a set of conversation prompts and lighthearted games. The kit varies depending on the café selected.

Instead of paying hundreds or even thousands for traditional matchmaking services, Kopi Date charges S$60–90 per date. After the meetup, users provide feedback, which helps the system curate even more meaningful connections next time.

Take Ruizhi Huang (31), a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor who’s been using Kopi Date for about three years. He’s had dates with around 20 people and met a few of them again two to three times, but hasn't found a serious partner yet.

Before joining, Ruizhi had tried several dating apps like Tinder and Bumble. He says Kopi Date simplified everything, no endless swiping, no need to plan and vet dates himself.

“It guaranteed me at least one date a month. I can achieve reasonably good results with minimal effort.”

The Rise of Social Mixers

Apart from 1:1 dates, group-based offline events are on the rise. Never Strangers, launched in 2024, now holds around three social mixers per month with 70–100 attendees each. It costs about S$39 per person.

Participants fill out a 40-question form ahead of time. Based on their responses, the system curates three potential connections for each person, which are revealed about an hour into the event.

According to founder Wei Liang Ruan, the trend of situationships. Meeting people without rushing into a relationship, is increasingly popular today. Offline social events reflect this trend.

“During the pandemic, many turned to dating apps. Now, more people want face-to-face interaction. Social mixers let people meet naturally without jumping straight into the talking or dating stage.”

If you’d like to see the original article and its YouTube coverage, feel free to check out the Zaobao write‑up and YouTube video. They offer great insight and visuals about how this movement is unfolding.

Written with information sourced directly from Zaobao, helping to ground the story in local reporting and real voices.you’re tired of playing. It can feel warm. Honest. And even joyful.

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