As I lied on my couch alone, scrolling through Instagram yet again, an ad popped up that caught my attention. It read “Don’t worry … It’s never too late. There’s always Timeleft.” As a single girl in her 20s, I’m always looking for an easier way to meet people, especially when the options can feel so limited.
At this point, I had nothing to lose. I clicked the link, downloaded the app and started to build my profile.
Timeleft is a social platform that is designed to offer safe, welcoming environments to meet new people in your area. I have seen other similar in-person social gatherings promoted online, but I always found it hard to determine the safety levels.
Loneliness has been a significant issue for people aged 20-30 in recent years, especially due to various factors like social media usage and the pandemic, as well as regular life transitions that take place after high school and college. A 2021 study conducted by Harvard University found that 61% of young adults aged 18-25 report experiencing “serious loneliness.”
This data reflects a growing need for in-person, meaningful interactions — which is exactly what services like Timeleft aim to provide, creating opportunities for connection in a digital, often disconnected world.
When I first signed up for my Timeleft dinner, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. The concept of meeting a group of strangers for dinner seemed like an adventure or a potential disaster. But the idea of sharing a meal with new people in a curated, low-pressure environment intrigued me, so I filled out the personality quiz, selected a Wednesday night and waited.
In some ways, this felt more daunting than a first date. I felt like it was 1 vs. 5. I paced around my room trying to get ready. “What do I wear?” “What will they wear?” “Should I look professional or casual?” I was overwhelmed with the need to make a good impression.
I had no contact with anyone from this meetup before getting there. No names, descriptions or additional information is shared besides a vague list of fellow participants’ occupations, nationalities and zodiac signs.
To sign up for the dinner, I paid the $16 fee for my ticket. The dinner started at 7 p.m. There was no backing out now. I received the dinner location at 9 a.m. day-of: Agave & Rye in Downtown Cleveland.
As instructed by the app, I told the hostess what I was there for and was quickly led to my table. There were already two attendees sitting there, a boy and a girl. I slowly approached the table and was warmly invited in. “Are you here for the Timeleft dinner?” one asked. I said yes, took a seat in the booth and the night began. In the following minutes, all three other attendees joined us and the conversation took off.
Two participants stated that they had already attended a Timeleft dinner before and have continued signing up as a way to make friends and meet new people.
Sign Up to Receive the Cleveland Magazine Daily Newsletter Six Days a Week
The app did a great job of matching me with a group of people who shared similar interests, though we were all from diverse backgrounds. As we sat down, we all shared that initial nervous energy, but within minutes, we were deep in conversation, talking about everything from travel and careers to cultural differences and personal hobbies. Some worked in finance and engineering, others in cybersecurity and information technologies. It was refreshing to get to talk with people outside my career field. I ended up being the youngest in attendance, with everyone’s ages ranging from early 20s to early 30s.
Timeleft offers games for conversation starters, but we didn’t even need them — the natural flow of our group made it unnecessary. There was never a lull in conversation and not a phone in sight. I was surprised at everyone’s willingness to chat, something not typically experienced in regular social outings.
After dinner, we got an invitation to join the “after party” at a nearby bar with other Timeleft groups, extending the night and deepening our conversations.
What struck me most was how Timeleft created a space for genuine human connection in an era where so much socializing happens online. There was no pressure for the night to be anything other than a group of people sharing a meal and some good conversation. But, in the process, it turned into something much more meaningful — a reminder of how powerful it can be to just sit down and talk with someone new.
At the end of the evening, we exchanged phone numbers. The app also asks you to complete an exit survey, giving a thumps-up or a thumbs-down to each individual in your group. This allows you to connect with each other through the messaging systems in the app, if you aren’t comfortable giving out your personal number. Everyone in my group got a thumbs up, and we have since met three other times for dinner after that fateful first evening. On occasion I meet up with one or two of my group members on a night out.
Timeleft turned out to be more than just a fun experience — it felt like a true antidote to the fast-paced, often impersonal world of modern social interaction.
For more updates about Cleveland, sign up for our Cleveland Magazine Daily newsletter, delivered to your inbox six times a week.
Cleveland Magazine is also available in print, publishing 12 times a year with immersive features, helpful guides and beautiful photography and design.
