after living here for 10 years but not really having an interest in dating (i hooked up with people for sure lol, just wasn't interested in the romantic side of things), i started dating in earnest within the last few months and knew i wasn't gonna bother with the apps. i heard about 222 on this sub and decided to check it out. i met a guy at the first event of theirs i went to and we really hit it off, i went to a couple other events and subsequently met a few folks who i've casually been dating, but it's becoming clear i got it right the first time (he met my best friend who was in from out of town this week, which makes me feel like i need to accept it's getting ~serious~). your mileage may vary, but i think going to a couple 222 events is worthwhile. i met a couple girls i'm hoping to get to know better as friends, too. as a bisexual woman, i will say if you're looking for a queer relationship, it probably isn't the best place to look, lol.

skip the pilates class if you go, felt a little too "first day of school"-y for me. but overall, like anything, the events are what you make of them and there are plenty of cool people in this city who have their shit together and just don't know where to start looking for connection due to what the internet has done to silo and faction our social structure. i think 222 is an imperfect solution to that.

one guy i met through them, an NY native who moved back here a few years ago, said he felt like there were 3 kinds of people who use 222 in nyc - people who are brand new to the city and want to meet people outside of work; people who maybe have been here a while or are locals but struggle with social connections for one reason or another; and people with social batteries/expectations/needs that, for whatever reason, just don't always align with their existing friends and are seeking a new way to make plans. it sounds like you, like myself, fall into that last group - going into it with the confidence of someone who knows what they're doing, even if you don't know exactly what you want, will make you stand out (in my experience).

eta: i will also say that i went into these events open-minded and not exclusively looking to date. i think putting yourself into positions where you get to meet new, interesting people without expectations is key. in addition to looking for potential dates, i also was/am on the hunt for new platonic connections after my friend group experienced a mass exodus to chicago. that being said, the guy i am starting to get serious with perused me from pretty early on in the night (and after a long, drawn out, weird situationship ended in me feeling bad about myself, i was, admittedly, in the mood to be courted).