Grouper Review

Grouper is a new technology start-up based out of New York that defines itself as “a social club that sets up drinks between 2 groups of friends: 3 and 3.” Grouper is a bit different from other adult dating websites because they believe that offline is better than online. Using information from your Facebook profile, the website uses your information to find you a potential match. Once Grouper identifies your match, “Grab 2 Friends. Pick your best wingmen or wing women. Pre-pay your first round of drinks. It ensures that everyone shows up.” and meet  your match plus their two friends at a location chosen by Grouper.

Features

• Apply for membership via Facebook
• Grouper matches you with the other group,  picks the spot and sets you up with a free drink
• Uses your Facebook profile as the basis for  matching
• Don’t disclose any details prior to the Grouper (no photos, no bio, etc.)
• Works with different date venues, ranging from rooftop lounges to hotel bars to speakeasies
• Mobile application available only for iPhone

The Good

Since it’s launch in 2011 Grouper is now available in 20 cities, with 2 international venture in Toronto, Canada and London, England. The website itself has a sleek design that makes navigating through the site very easy. Using their services takes the effort out of preparing for awkward first dates by choosing the venue for you. You also have an automatic excuse to escape if you’re not enjoying yourself because you’ll have two of your friends with you. Grouper is said to work with some beautiful date venues for your first meeting.

The Bad

Although the idea of not having to over-prepare for that first awkward encounter there are many features about Grouper that concern me; Starting with their application to become a member. Having to apply to become a member and being added to their waiting list without a projected end date provided, makes me feel as though I’m joining an Old Boys Club. Some memberships have taken months to be approved. Nothing about sitting at home, waiting for months to be notified about a potential match sounds appealing to me. This is the exact opposite of the purpose of online dating; aren’t we supposed to be proactive about our dating life when joining adult dating sites? I didn’t like waiting and hoping for my crush to call back in middle school, and I don’t like it now.

Pricing

Grouper daters are charged  $20 per date, and they suggest including a pre-paid tip in addition. This charge covers their “matching”, concierge service, and what they claim to be a “free drink” at the bar – which they also choose for you.

Conclusion

Grouper chooses your date, date location, and your first drink. Sounds to me like this tech company has a god complex. Call me old fashion but I prefer have complete control over those who I connect with through online dating. The joys of sending flirty messages, getting to know a person through the information that they choose to share about themselves in their profiles, and connecting with multiple people at a time is lost with Grouper. All the work is done for you, and you’re no longer in control. Membership is a great price, seeing as it’s virtually free to apply to join, but to go on an actual date is going to cost $20 for each person attending, for each date you go on (this $20 only goes towards your first “free” drink, that is chosen of you. Here’s hoping that you actually like it).