Relationships June 2, 2017
There will be booze.
Bumble wants to get you off of dating apps.
They know you’re probably using them. One in five Americans aged 18 to 24 are on dating apps, according to a February 2016 report from Pew Research Center.
But only one-third of those people are actually meeting up with their “matches.” So, what is everyone else doing? Apps like Tinder are kind of set up to be played like a game. Even I’ll admit to swiping just because I’m bored.
But according to The New York Times, they could also be “bread crumbing,” you know, “communicating via sporadic noncommittal, but repeated messages — or breadcrumbs — that are just enough to keep you wondering, but not enough to seal the deal (whatever that deal may be).” Rude.
Bumble Hive pushes you to meet IRL since “breadcrumbing” is the torturous new dating trend. Image via Touchstone Pictures
Either way, Bumble wants everyone to stop playing around and start showing up… to their New York City pop-up, that is. The #BumbleHiveNYC is an “experimental destination” the female empowering dating app is rolling out as the first in a series to try and “facilitate connections beyond the app.” You know, because who wouldn’t want to go on an awkward first date with a stranger surrounded by a bunch of other people on awkward first dates with strangers?
But don’t just think of it as a singles’ mixer. They’re billing the #BumbleHiveNYC as a chance to “convene leading female thinkers, artists and entrepreneurs to celebrate the empowerment of women across all facets of life.” Sounds a bit lofty for a dating app, but I like it.
Of course, Bumble doesn’t think of itself as only a dating app — they have Bumble BFF (to meet new friends) and Bumble Bizz (coming this fall, for business connections). Though pretty much everyone knows it as the dating app where women have to message first.
And just like the app is meant to be a safe space for women – douchey mirror selfies and dick pics get you banned! Boy, bye. – The Hive is a “safe space” for daters and peers to meet IRL. And there will be free entertainment, drinks and events. That’s right, millennials. I said FREE. Now who’s interested?
Bumble Hive pushes you to meet IRL… but don’t worry, there’s free booze involved. Image via Paramount Pictures/Giphy
Unfortunately, for now it’s only available in New York City. So we’ll just have to rely on Twitter and @OverheardLA for awkward date soundbites until they add more locations. Or, you know, go create our own.
