The cool thing is that in my experience, single women do lots of stuff.

They go to clubs, readings, and events. They volunteer. Really, if you sign up for anything that involves audience participation and hands-on work, you’ll probably find a bunch of women having a good time.

Bookstores host events that are designed for this (in Boston, consider the RealRoots gathering at Trident Booksellers). There are so many events at breweries these days that it’s easy to forget about the beer. Idle Hands has a bookstore popup coming up. There’s a “Bridgerton Cake Decorating” activity at Long Live, which usually has a stout I can actually enjoy because it tastes like chocolate.

Strangers who go to these events probably don’t mind being approached. Try to look for other people who are alone – or anyone who seems friendly.

(Worth noting, whenever I go to a brewery, I do see many men in their 20s and 30s; usually they’re wearing some kind of Trillium hat.)

Another thought: you say you’re not a happy app dater, but online community might feel different. I did google “Where are men in their 30s in Boston?” – just to see what the world says about this in April of 2025. What popped up first was an old Reddit thread that evolved into something more focused on friendship. One person asked where the men are, then people made guesses.

Then a person wrote, “This thread has made me laugh. As a 31-yr-old single woman, new in Boston and newly recovering from a breakup and surgery— this is all the laugh and honest responses I needed. Can I be your friend?” 

The response to her comment: “Oh girl now we’re more than friends, you have to be my new wing-woman now! Send me a dm.”

Hopefully that connection happened in real life. 

There are ways to use the internet for good.

– Meredith