I’m a fan of online dating and used it for years before meeting my husband. I had great experiences and questionable ones, but as a former speed dating host, I liked cutting through endless emails and seeing whether there was a spark. Online dating gave me matches, but not that immediate connection. I liked the idea of getting all those online matches in a room and seeing if there was a spark with anyone. That was something online dating could not give me.

The lines between online dating and real-life searching are getting blurred, and that is a good thing. Match.com introduced Stir, a way to meet matches in one setting without the forced conversations of speed dating. It offers a more organic way to meet people, especially those who live nearby and might be missed online. You can meet several people at once without making every conversation feel like an interview.

Stir events include happy hours, cooking classes, tequila tastings, dance lessons, rock climbing, and bowling lessons. The idea is to mix things up and meet people while doing something enjoyable. Instead of staring at profiles or making strained small talk, you can discover whether you connect naturally through a shared activity. If there is something you have been dying to do but have not had a chance, an event could give you a reason to try it.

Each Stir event is customized by age, gender, and interests, so singles meet others with similar preferences. Happy Hour events are free for registered and subscribed members, while interest-based events require a fee for subscribers. Now you can search your matches, attend events, and meet even more people beyond online dating. You do not have to feel confined to online dating when there is more than one way to meet someone.