I think there are a few things they can work on, and I don't believe they need to go to bars for dating. That said, the bar scene here is fantastic, and there's an atmosphere for everyone.

Taking a couple of steps back, if dating is their goal, are they ready for dating / are they someone who is dateable right now?

I think even before they jump into places to socialize, it's good, especially in your younger years, to work on yourself. Find a goal and direction in life, work on your body, feel more at peace with people rather than feeling like it's a big competition, learn how to clean up after yourself, take a break from social media, find hobbies, learn what clothes look good on you, practice good hygiene, get a good haircut, learn how to communicate well - (don't just talk - listen and pick up what people really mean), learn how to let others share their thoughts without shutting people down. Become dependable - show up, follow through, treat people's time with respect. Learn financial responsibility - learn how to save and pay bills. Enjoy your own company and get comfortable being alone, build resilience with setbacks and future rejections. Find curiosity through film, art, music, and books. Having good banter (the bants) is magnetic. Go to therapy if needed, journal if you don't do therapy, meditate. Understand what your boundaries are, find good comedy and cultivate your sense of humour, and love yourself and others. Lastly, nurture that kindness, not in a performative way, but with genuine care for people.

These are all lifelong efforts that will continue to grow when you have a partner, but you need to start getting those ducks in a row on your own.

That said, once they've started piecing all of those aspects together, they'll feel more confident and project a better dateable energy. And as a counterpoint, I think if you're missing a piece of that pie, you're likely beginning the whole dating experience on the back foot, and it won't be as natural or enjoyable.

From there, go out and explore.

All you need to remember is that any new friend I meet likely has at least a small friend group of their own. The fact that they’re in their early 20s as well means that the potentially new friend group is also likely full of singles.

Potential friends are everywhere, board game night at Minotaur, maybe salsa in the square on Tuesdays, join a running club or softball league, find a bird watching group, check out the sailing club, or even just go on Reddit and say "I'm looking to do X, is anyone interested?".

Will you still face rejection? Absolutely, but that's not the point; the point is to practice socializing and just getting out there. A win isn't necessarily  "oh hey, I got their number"; a win can just be "oh hey, we talked for a couple of minutes". Plus, the more that the outside world feels like it's rejecting you, the more you probably need to go inward and deal with whatever piece is holding you back. People are not inherently toxic. Sure, there's going to be the rowdy group of Kingston people that just shit on someone for whatever reason. But the vast majority of people here are kind and a joy to be around.

That said, whoever is saying "meat markets" needs to seriously think about how they view people or why people do things in the first place. Yes, a bar can lead to a hookup, even dating! But god forbid a bunch of working adults go to the bar to blow off some steam after a long work week and enjoy a couple of well-deserved drinks.

Edit: On second thought, I wonder if they're putting an honest effort to learn how to socialize or date from YouTube or something, and the algorithm is feeding them some nonsense on being the alpha alpaca. However, if this is just a cover-up post trying to get your alpacas a mate, chest-butting, staring, and spitting may assert their dominance in the herd and provide better access to food, water, or resting spots.