Dating-app fatigue has become a common complaint among singles, with many expressing exhaustion from endless swiping and superficial judgments. A new platform launching in Tampa Bay, Florida, is taking a different approach: instead of focusing on dating, it focuses on activities. Single Social Club, created by professional matchmaker Felicity G. Morgan and technology lead Greg Miceli, aims to help singles connect through shared interests and small-group experiences. The platform removes the familiar swipe feature entirely, instead asking members to choose from over 157 activity options, from kayaking to pickleball, and then uses technology to find overlapping availability and interests among other singles. This matters because it addresses a growing frustration with modern dating tools that often reduce people to profiles and photos. By prioritizing real-world interactions, Single Social Club hopes to reduce the pressure and burnout associated with traditional dating apps.
Morgan, founder of Assured Matchmaking, explained that the idea came from conversations with clients who felt tired of apps. "I kept hearing the same thing," she said. "'I'm taking a break from dating. I'm focusing on myself. I'm tired of the apps.' And I thought, okay. Focus on yourself. But why should focusing on yourself mean sitting at home?" The platform allows members to select activities they enjoy, set travel distance, age preferences, and availability, then matches them into small groups of about six to eight people. To protect privacy, members use code names like Bee or Fox before revealing their identities. A verification process is in place, though the company notes that no system can guarantee behavior. This approach could appeal to those who are not actively seeking romance but want to expand their social circle, such as newly divorced parents or professionals whose friends are busy.
The timing of the launch reflects broader cultural conversations about dating. Shows like Pop the Balloon and Love Is Blind have highlighted how quickly people eliminate potential matches based on superficial criteria. Morgan believes this efficiency in disqualifying others may prevent genuine connections. "We've gotten incredibly efficient at disqualifying each other," she said. "Sometimes we're deciding what somebody isn't before we've had an opportunity to experience who they are." Single Social Club flips the sequence: activity first, person second, romance only if it develops. After an activity, members can privately indicate interest in someone; if mutual, Assured Matchmaking can optionally help them explore a relationship. There is no public rejection or popularity counter. For Miceli, the goal is to use technology to get people off their screens. "Most technology is designed to keep you on the screen," he said. "We're building something that's supposed to help you get off the screen." The platform is a web app accessible via browser, and users can save it to their home screen. Starting in Tampa Bay, the founders plan to expand as interest grows. Introductory access is $1 for 30 days, then $20 per month for Basic membership, which includes up to five activity opportunities. As Morgan put it, "Don't join because I promised you're going to meet the love of your life. I can't promise that, and neither can anybody else. Join because there's something you've been wanting to do. Go do it. Let life surprise you from there." For more information, visit Single Social Club and Assured Matchmaking.
