Dating-app fatigue has become a common complaint among singles, with endless swiping and superficial judgments leading to emotional exhaustion. A new platform, Single Social Club, launching in Tampa Bay, aims to address this by shifting the focus from immediate romantic evaluation to shared activities. Founded by professional matchmaker Felicity G. Morgan and technology lead Greg Miceli, the platform encourages singles to participate in group activities based on common interests, with romance as a potential but not required outcome.
The concept arose from Morgan's conversations with clients who expressed a desire to take breaks from dating apps. "I kept hearing the same thing," Morgan 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?" This insight led to a platform where members choose from over 157 activities, from kayaking to trivia, and are matched into small groups of six to eight people based on overlapping availability and age preferences.
Unlike traditional dating apps, Single Social Club has no swiping. Members use code names like Bee or Fox during activities, preserving anonymity until they choose to reveal more. A verification process is in place to enhance safety, though the platform acknowledges that no system can guarantee behavior. The emphasis is on experiencing people in real-world settings rather than judging profiles. "We've gotten incredibly efficient at disqualifying each other," Morgan said. "A picture. Height. Shoes. A job title. One sentence in a profile. Sometimes we're deciding what somebody isn't before we've had an opportunity to experience who they are."
The launch comes amid growing research on dating-app burnout. Popular formats like Pop the Balloon and Love Is Blind highlight extremes of instant rejection and connection without visual cues. Single Social Club seeks a middle ground: activity first, person second, romance only if it develops. It also caters to those not actively seeking relationships, such as newly divorced individuals or those rebuilding social lives. "Sometimes you don't need another date," Morgan said. "Sometimes you need to go live."
For Miceli, the technology's success is measured by getting 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, with options to save to home screen. Starting in Tampa Bay, the founders plan to expand as interest grows.
Introductory access is available for $1 for 30 days, after which membership renews at $20 per month for up to five activity opportunities. Additional costs for venues, food, or tickets are separate. If mutual interest arises, Morgan's other business, Assured Matchmaking, can optionally provide support. For Morgan, the invitation is straightforward: "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."
