Where To Meet Single Women, Men In Oakland, Berkeley, East Bay Area
Where to meet women, men in Berkeley, Alameda. Best bars to meet singles East Bay, Oakland. Places to meet men, women over 40 Berkeley, Oakland, Bay Area singles events
Last Updated February 19, 2026
As a photographer and dating coach for men & women, I spend a lot of time navigating the Bay Area, looking for fun places to take photos, identifying great spots for first dates, and helping individuals expand their hobbies & interests, finding bars/restaurants to meet singles and identifying events for people to meet men and women.
Related read: Dating in the Bay Area
What Is It Like Dating In The East Bay, Oakland, Berkeley
Oakland Speed Dating Events, Singles Events East Bay, Berkeley
East Bay Speed dating events can be super hit or miss and often fail to offer accountability as anyone can post an event on Eventbrite. I highly recommend doing your due diligence as they may not enforce gender ratios, guarantee minimum number of attendees nor screen for things like married folks, criminals etc.
On that note, you can expect some of the people you left-swiped on apps or maybe even received unwanted messages from to be at said events.
One of the best ways to meet single people is through existing and new hobbies and interests such as classes, volunteering, social events, talks, pop-ups and more. Below you can find my free weekly email newsletter with curated events, things to do each week to meet people organically to match your interests and vibe. Sign up below.
Runner-Up: Best Bay Area Local Website -48 Hills, Best of the Bay 2024 & 2025!
It has over 26,000 subscribers and it’s filled with curated quirky, fun events for introverts & extroverts (arts & crafts, comedy, pop-ups, talks, art openings, live music, festivals, street fairs, cultural events, block parties, perfomative contests, look-a-like contests, singles events at grocery stores, coffee raves & more).
Oakland Matchmakers, East Bay Matchmaking Services
Don’t make the mistake of hiring a matchmaker before you read this guide. Many services scour profiles on dating apps, thus duplicating efforts you may have already exhausted or go on dates with people you left-swiped. Read their reviews, see who left them (friends, business partners or people who attended a free event or were matched for free i.e. didn’t pay to retain services).
Related read: East Bay Matchmakers Reviews
Dating in Oakland
Dating in Oakland is often easier for folks than San Francisco and places in the Peninsula and South Bay. For one, Oakland is more diverse, quirky, eclectic and fun. People are just more friendly there and more down to earth. The social awkwardness, introverted preferences and boring (indoor/tech) hobbies are not as widespread as they are among folks in SF/Silicon Valley.
There is usually more sun than SF, more density than the peninsula and more night life, bars, restaurants than places in the South Bay. There are more creatives, artists and people who are visible in the community vs folks who are more homebodies in other parts of the Bay Area.
Oakland is not for everyone, but for those who are open-minded, love to explore and want to build community, it’s a great place to live and date.
Dating In Berkeley
Dating in Berkeley can be tough, depending on your demographics (namely age and politics). Luckily, you have options if you expand to Oakland and San Francisco as there will be more people who are non-students, non-senior citizens and non hikers there. But it’s up to you to travel, expand your radius and leave the city limits.
Where To Meet Men, Women East Bay Oakland, Berkeley
Below are some of my recommendations to meet singles whether you are new in town and don’t know many people, are over 40, don’t drink/hate bars, are a little introverted or are recently single. These locations, events, and social groups are mostly Oakland & Berkeley areas but will add more over time.
I will add more to this guide with more specific places and insight/context as to why these places are good for meeting people. In the meantime, subscribe to my newsletter, as I may mention one-off opportunities/events every so often.
I may be raising rates for new paid subscribers so if you want to lock in current rates, subscribe today! Existing paid subscribers will have rates grandfathered in.
Disclaimer
Knowing where to go is not everything, heck it’s not even 1/4 of the answer. If you think that is the case, you are not ready for dating (or at least lack self-awareness and realistic expectations.
Be approachable (looks, wardrobe, hygiene)
Know how to read people
Be interesting, unique, fun (life experience, hobbies, social skills)
Being patient, persistent, having/making friends etc.
It’s not enough to go to places with the best gender ratios or most singles, you really have to enjoy the space and the vibe otherwise you will be out of place. Similarly, you have to put yourself out there and can’t expect people to approach you (even if you are a woman).
If you live a boring life, don’t make an effort (appearance), or aim way outside of your league all the time, it may not matter where you go.
Related guides on Eddie’s List:
Where To Meet Singles: East Bay, Oakland, Berkeley
Bars, restaurants, cafes & clubs to meet singles in the East Bay
Below are some of my recommended places to meet single men and women in the East Bay, particularly Oakland, Emeryville, Alameda & Berkeley. Depending on interest, I may expand it to other parts of the East Bay. If you would like to send a tip on places for consideration, send me a note below.
Best Places, Bars To Meet Women, Men In Berkeley
Everyone thinks that it’s impossible to meet people in Berkeley if you are not a student - that couldn’t be further from the truth. Sure, meeting people in school, via classes and repeated interactions is great for meeting singles but it’s not required.