February might feel a little frosty for singles, with lovebirds flocking to romantic spots all over town. But forget hiding behind dating apps, Cleveland’s packed with ways to play, whether you’re flying solo or rolling deep with friends.
Immerse Yourself in Culture
Mingle among the world’s most treasured artifacts at the coolest social mixer in town: MIX at the Cleveland Museum of Art. This monthly event combines art, music and cocktails for an unforgettable night in one of Cleveland’s most iconic spaces. Each MIX has a unique theme, so expect something fresh every time. For February, the theme is Peace, Love & Soul celebrating black history month and Cleveland’s historic funk, soul and R&B themes. This is a ticketed event and can be purchased on the museum’s website at: clevelandart.org/events/mix-peace-love-and-soul.11150 East Blvd., Cleveland, 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org
Have Some No Judgment Fun
Voted Best LGBT Bar eight years running, Twist Social Club is the ultimate singles destination. “This isn’t a date night; it’s where you go to find a date,” says General Manager Cody Cammarn. With DJs every weekend, theme parties, karaoke, trivia and drag shows, Twist is all about energy, connection and inclusion.
“We want everyone to feel welcome at Twist,” says Cammarn. “We’re not targeting any one specific letter in an acronym. It doesn’t matter if you’re in the community, if you’re straight, gay, bi, transsexual — it does not matter to us. We want everyone to feel welcome at Twist.”
Whether you come solo or with friends, expect a packed dance floor, laser lights, and DJs spinning every Friday and Saturday night starting at 10 PM. The party goes strong until 2:30 AM every day of the week.11633 Clifton Blvd., Cleveland, 216-221-2333, twistsocialclub.com
Meet Someone — or Someones
Ready to ditch the endless swiping and meet real people in real time? You can find speed dating pop-up events throughout the city. They’re a structured and engaging way to meet multiple people in one night, minus the pressure of awkward first dates. Cleveland Speed Dating brings singles together every month for age-targeted events. Whether you’re in your 20s, 30s, 40s, or beyond, you’ll rotate through some of the city’s best restaurants and chat one-on-one with 6 to 12 (sometimes more!) singles in a series of six-minute “Pre-Dates.” After each mini-date, you simply mark who you’d like to see again, and you’ll get your matches emailed to you within 24 hours.clevelandspeeddating.com
Tell Your Own Story
Feeling creative? Step into Story Wars — a monthly mashup of quirky prompts and quick-fire imagination at Jukebox in Ohio City. Over three rounds, you’ll get offbeat prompts, craft your masterpiece in minutes, and (if you’re feeling bold) share it with the crowd. You can pen a story, choreograph a dance or even belt out a song. It’s the ultimate way to shake off self-doubt, break out of your comfort zone and maybe even start writing your own love story — Cleveland style.1404 W. 29th St., Cleveland, 216-206-7699, jukeboxcle.com