It’s almost summer and we’re horny.

But we’re not horny for the apps. God, no.

We hate the apps—even if we’re still on the apps. (Ahem.)

So what do we do? Where do we go?

Well, a singles event is a good place to start.

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I know, I know. I’ve talked about singles events before, and yes, I said they weren’t great. Fair. The one I went to...wasn’t. But that’s life. That’s dating. Not every event—and certainly not every date—is going to be a winner. The important thing is that we keep trying. We keep doing hard things and showing up for the things we want in our lives. And if a relationship is one of them? Sometimes that means going to another singles event, even after the last one sucked.

That’s exactly why I went to Actually Romantic’s Matcha Tea & Social event earlier this spring. Did I find a match? No — but I found a match-a! LOL.

Anyway, no match, but I did meet some interesting people and asked them about modern dating, dating-app fatigue, and the appeal of meeting people IRL.

Their answers echoed what a lot of us are feeling: they wanted organic connections. They wanted to meet new people. If it led to romance, amazing. If not, they were still happy to get out of the house, try something new, and have conversations with people they never would have met otherwise.

Since then, Actually Romantic has hosted everything from game nights to soap-making workshops, with a charm-bracelet-making event next on the calendar. It’s a charming antidote to something many of us seem to be missing: connection that isn’t built on algorithms and swipes, but on conversation, shared experiences, and doing something together that doesn’t involve staring at a screen.

As summer ramps up, I suspect these events will only become more popular. And while I haven’t exactly hit a home run myself, I still think they’re excellent practice for anyone who’s a little rusty when it comes to approaching strangers and making small talk. Because if we really want to get off the apps, this is how we do it: we look up from our phones and engage with the world.

After all, if you bump into the hot stranger at the coffee shop, you’ve got to be ready to say hello. TRUST ME.

Anyway, I wanted to know more about how Actually Romantic got started, so I spoke with its founder, Imaan Jiwa, about why meeting people in real life feels more romantic, why dating apps have lost some of their appeal, and why Vancouver—a city known for its aloofness—could use a few more opportunities for genuine connection.

What made you want to create Actually Romantic?

Actually Romantic was started in January 2026. Part of the inspiration was personal. I didn’t want to go back on dating apps to meet someone, but I also realized there wasn’t really an IRL community for singles in Vancouver where meeting people felt natural.

At the same time, I kept hearing the same thing from people around me: dating apps were exhausting, people wanted to meet in real life, but there weren’t many spaces that felt low-pressure, social, and genuinely fun.

Instead of going back on the apps, I decided to build the kind of environment I wished existed myself — something that brought back the feeling of meeting someone organically, while still giving people a little structure and intention so it didn’t feel awkward.

Were you single or looking for connection yourself when you came up with the idea?

Yes to both! Even people who are social, and open to intentionally dating often feel stuck on the apps or disconnected from the dating scene. Actually 78% of Gen Z on dating apps experience burnout. Actually Romantic came from that frustration, but also from optimism. I don’t think people have stopped wanting genuine connection. I think they just need better environments for it to happen.

Was there something missing in Vancouver’s dating scene that inspired these events?

Vancouver has a reputation for being a little standoffish and hard to break into socially, especially when it comes to dating. I wanted to create events that were low pressure and experience-focused, with the possibility of meeting someone new built in.

What do you think makes in-person events better for sparking romance than dating apps?

As mentioned above, 78% of Gen Z are experiencing burnout on dating apps, and I’m sure this translates to other demographics too. In person, you get so much more context. You can feel someone’s energy, humour, confidence, warmth, and how they interact with other people. Those things are hard to capture in a dating profile.

Apps make people feel like they’re constantly evaluating options. In-person events make it easier to be present. You’re not just looking at photos or prompts. You’re actually sharing an experience with someone.

Who usually comes to your events—any specific age groups or types of people?

Most of our attendees are in their 20s and 30s, with a lot of young professionals, creatives, founders, students and people who are socially open but tired of the usual dating app experience.

The common thread is that people are usually pretty intentional. They’re open to connection and want to put themselves in spaces where something could happen.

How do you set up your events so people actually make meaningful connections?

We try to design the events so conversation happens naturally. Instead of speed dating or forced icebreakers, we use activities like board games, matcha, tarot, soapmaking, or games to give people something to do together.

The goal is to remove the pressure of “performing” while still making it easy to talk to new people. We also think a lot about the room itself: the size of the event, the layout, the activity flow, the vibe, and how people can move around and meet more than one person.

How have people responded so far? Are they going on dates, making friends, or both?

The response has been really strong. We’ve hosted 6 sold-out events in Vancouver, often with waitlists, and people have been excited to finally have a dating space that doesn’t feel awkward or overly formal. We’ve grown to around 340 members in our Flock Social community, which has become our main hub for sharing events, updates, and community announcements.

People are going on dates, but they’re also making friends, which has been one of the best parts. Even when someone doesn’t leave with a romantic match, they often leave feeling like they had a genuinely good night and met people they wouldn’t have otherwise crossed paths with.

Do you have any favourite success stories from your events you can share?

I know two couples that have come out of Actually Romantic so far! I’m not sure I can disclose more without getting their permission but it’s deeply gratifying that people are actually dating and meeting through Actually Romantic.

How would you describe dating in Vancouver these days—easy, hard, or just different?

I’d say it’s hard, but not hopeless. Vancouver can feel socially reserved, and a lot of people say it’s difficult to meet someone outside of apps or existing friend groups.

But when you put people in the right environment, you realize a lot of them do want to connect. They’re just tired of the usual formats.

Do you think romance is missing in today’s dating world, and if so, why?

I think romance is still there, but the way people date now can make it harder to access. Apps can make dating feel transactional, like people are being filtered and compared instead of actually experienced.

Romance needs presence, timing, and a bit of mystery. It’s hard for that to happen when everything starts with a profile and a checklist.

Even if people don’t find a romantic connection, do you find they value the events for meeting new friends or expanding their social network?

Definitely. A lot of people come for dating but end up appreciating the community aspect just as much. Especially in a city like Vancouver, where making new friends as an adult can also be difficult, the events give people a reason to get out of their usual circles.

That’s part of the magic of it. Romance is the hook, but connection in general is the bigger need

What do you think makes romance happen more naturally in person compared to matching on an app?

In person, people can surprise you. Someone you might have swiped past can be funny, charming, kind, or magnetic in real life.

There’s also less pressure to decide immediately if someone is “your type.” You can just interact, laugh, notice chemistry, and let attraction build more naturally.

How do you see your events shaping the way people approach dating and relationships in Vancouver?

I hope Actually Romantic helps people feel less cynical about dating. I want people to remember that putting yourself out there can be fun, not just draining.

I also think we’re helping normalize a more intentional social culture around dating. Instead of hiding behind apps, people are choosing to show up in real life, be open, and meet others in a more human way.

What’s next? What’s coming up this summer?

We’re working on something big! Through our events, we’ve heard from attendees that they’re open to being set up with potential matches and are interested in even more intentional curation around who’s in the room. So this summer, we’re piloting a smaller, highly curated IRL event where attendees are matched into a group based on compatibility, not just availability.

Participants will have a short 15-minute chat with Emma, our conversational AI matchmaker, and then attend an in-person event with a group of people selected for compatibility.

The goal is to create a room where people are more likely to meet someone they genuinely connect with, while still keeping the event low-pressure and social.

The heart of what we do will always be deeply grounded in real-life connection. For us, conversational AI is simply a way to support that IRL experience: helping us better understand people, curate the room more intentionally, and create more opportunities for genuine compatibility.

Anyone interested in dating more intentionally can talk to Emma here: serenade.club/match. After your 15-minute conversation wit her, you’ll be invited to an IRL dating event (in Vancouver) with compatible matches.

Thanks, Imaan!

Even though Actually Romantic is Vancouver-based, I think a lot of what Imaan talked about rings true for singles everywhere. If you’re tired of the apps and looking to meet new people, attending a singles event in your area might be worth considering.

I know what you’re probably wondering: will I go to another singles event?

I mean, look. Never say never (except to drugs and sleeping with pretty much every guy I’ve ever slept with).

The truth is, I'm glad these events exist. We need more connection than ever, and anything that gets us out of our heads, off our phones, and talking to actual humans feels like a good thing in my books.

Thanks for being here!

Love, Brie xoxo

BRIE LOVES THIS WEEK 💖

SONG

FLASHBACK TO WHEN I WAS 22 and HEARTBROKEN AND RUNNING ON THE TREADMILL CRYING TO THIS BUT FOR SOME REASON I AM SINGING MY LITTLE HEART OUT TO THIS NOW LOL

QUOTE

“I didn’t get much sleep last night…if you know what I mean.”

I said this. To a co-worker, not myself HAHA. Take from it what you want. ;)

TV SHOW

When I’m not watching SUITS, I’m watching the FRENCH OPEN. My boy, Jack Draper, isn’t playing, and my other fave, Jannik Sinner, men’s #1, is out…but I love tennis, and this means Canada’s Felix Auger Aliassime has a shot at winning it. No matter what, there will be a new Grand Slam champion who isn’t Sinner or Carlos Alcarez, which is very exciting for us tennis nerds.

PODCAST

Following this tennis thread…I love watching Andy Roddick’s Served podcast before bed for the latest tennis updates. I know. Nerd.

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