Do guys still just hook-up?

[SometimesBi]

While we all talk about hiring these days, I'm curious if guys still just do the random hook-up thing anymore?

Years ago, even decades, Craigslist used to be the place to go. But no more. When that ended, I dabbled in a couple apps: A4A, Grindr, and Scruff. (Oh, I seem to also remember a site called Silver Daddies or something). But the last time I tried an app, I got flooded with "interest" from bots. Or, it was the same guys ads I'd seen for the last 5-10 years. Nothing new/fresh. 

Could anyone recommend an app or site that actually works to hook-up? Are there any that actually screen out the bots? Any where guys are current/recent? 

Any apps/sites that are free? Or is a subscription the key to keeping it real? 

(Again to be clear, I am asking about free hook-ups, not hiring). 

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

3 hours ago, SometimesBi said:

While we all talk about hiring these days, I'm curious if guys still just do the random hook-up thing anymore?

Years ago, even decades, Craigslist used to be the place to go. But no more. When that ended, I dabbled in a couple apps: A4A, Grindr, and Scruff. (Oh, I seem to also remember a site called Silver Daddies or something). But the last time I tried an app, I got flooded with "interest" from bots. Or, it was the same guys ads I'd seen for the last 5-10 years. Nothing new/fresh. 

Could anyone recommend an app or site that actually works to hook-up? Are there any that actually screen out the bots? Any where guys are current/recent? 

Any apps/sites that are free? Or is a subscription the key to keeping it real? 

(Again to be clear, I am asking about free hook-ups, not hiring). 

Yes, I still have hookups with random people via Grindr, Growlr, Scruff, and Sniffies.  As a middle-aged, obese, balding man, I have the most success with the applications meant for guys looking for my body type:  Growlr.  Although I have found several fuck buddies via Grindr who just were looking for a nearby slut, and I fit the bill!

And, I still get hookups by mingling at the gay bars.

Edited Wednesday at 04:17 PM by Vegas_Millennial

[Spikeguy]

Doublelist is probably the closest to Craigslist.  

[DMonDude]

All the usual apps "work". Screening out bots entirely isn't really possible without sites/apps making us verify our identities by uploading our government IDs. Which sites like Discord are currently finding out is a logistical and privacy nightmare. The main sites/apps still seem to be Grindr, Sniffies, and Scruff. But there's also ones new and old like Tinder, Feeld, A4A, Growlr, Archer, and many many others that have varying levels of user base sizes compared to the bigger apps. You can find hook ups on any of them. All will still have bots and other annoying things like too many ads. Just is part of the game unless you pay money (and paying money only removes ads/unlocks features to focus on a type of guy you want, there still is no true way to avoid bot profiles other than just using your due diligence/common sense).

In my experience, it largely doesn't matter what app/site you use, it's going to be mostly all the same guys on each one just by nature of any given cities local gay community not being big enough to have entire groups of them being only on one app. Most of us who use one app are using many/all of the apps, in my experience. The only time i see new people is when people who have never used the apps finally join out of desperation or when someone who's been in a monogamous relationship becomes single and joins, or when young college age guys join for the first time.

I personally get my hookups from Grindr, Sniffies, and Tinder.

Edited Wednesday at 03:22 PM by DMonDude

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

1 hour ago, DMonDude said:

The only time i see new people is when people who have never used the apps finally join out of desperation or when someone who's been in a monogamous relationship becomes single and joins, or when young college age guys join for the first time.

My biggest chance of success on the apps are when I travel to a new city.  I've learned that I'm going to get most opportunities for hookups within the first 24 hours of turning on my apps in a new city... because I'm "fresh meat" and the only new guy on these guy's screens.  I make sure my schedule is clear for the day, hotel room is ready, and I'm ready to play before turning on my location and opening the apps in a new city.

What's nice is that I've developed a "little black book" of app followers in most cities to which I travel, so when I arrive there are already men who know I'm fun and reach out right away to cum play with me during my limited engagement in that city.

Edited Wednesday at 04:33 PM by Vegas_Millennial

[Nodakman]

Sniffies has been a very successful way for me to find a hookup. 

[+ PhileasFogg]

I’ve had a couple of good experiences on sniffies.  But it’s the Wild West and I have to use defensive protocols to weed out the crap 

[Your Man in Arlington]

I just don't have the time or bandwidth, but some of my friends do, and they're very successful at hooking up!

[j r]

9 hours ago, Vegas_Millennial said:

My biggest chance of success on the apps are when I travel to a new city.  I've learned that I'm going to get most opportunities for hookups within the first 24 hours of turning on my apps in a new city... because I'm "fresh meat" and the only new guy on these guy's screens.  I make sure my schedule is clear for the day, hotel room is ready, and I'm ready to play before turning on my location and opening the apps in a new city.

What's nice is that I've developed a "little black book" of app followers in most cities to which I travel, so when I arrive there are already men who know I'm fun and reach out right away to cum play with me during my limited engagement in that city.

Agree with this 100%. Also seems to work the best when I say I’m a daddy looking for a son. Usually get a dozen or 15 serious replies in the first 24 hours. 

Edited Thursday at 01:56 AM by j r

[j r]

6 minutes ago, Your Man in Arlington said:

I just don't have the time or bandwidth, but some of my friends do, and they're very successful at hooking up!

Agree that in my regular town, arranging a hookup can be an all-day affair. 

[jeezifonly]

"years ago, even decades" should sufficiently answer the main question.  😂

I think all the hookup apps available now are still doing what they set out to do. Things change, but hours spent from search to climax, the freebies are shorter and more regular. 

In a real life chance meeting, at a party, at a bar, a job, etc we got to sum each other up, maybe speak, have a laugh. A spark. Everything online is antithetical to that. I was paired and past cruising before everything went on line. Bulletin boards were it.

The hobby is more recent for me, and very limited because I understand what I want. No strings.

Many of us who successfully cruised for hookups in person, (decades ago) are far less appealing decades later, when represented by the harshness of ones and zeros now.

When a treat is needed, hiring automatically runs everything I have through a flattering filter for me. Always adds a touch of green. 

 

[Nikba]

Those hookup app are testing ground if your look and performance are still applicable. It makes people feel good when there is the need and desire for certain ages, looks and abilities. Being called hot, awesome, amazing top and etc definitely is an ego boost. Casual sex is fabulous when the partner matches all your sexual desire. 

[harlow]

On 2/25/2026 at 7:13 AM, SometimesBi said:

While we all talk about hiring these days, I'm curious if guys still just do the random hook-up thing anymore?

Years ago, even decades, Craigslist used to be the place to go. But no more. When that ended, I dabbled in a couple apps: A4A, Grindr, and Scruff. (Oh, I seem to also remember a site called Silver Daddies or something). But the last time I tried an app, I got flooded with "interest" from bots. Or, it was the same guys ads I'd seen for the last 5-10 years. Nothing new/fresh. 

Could anyone recommend an app or site that actually works to hook-up? Are there any that actually screen out the bots? Any where guys are current/recent? 

Any apps/sites that are free? Or is a subscription the key to keeping it real? 

(Again to be clear, I am asking about free hook-ups, not hiring). 

Sniffies is the way to go these days.  The majority of of my hook ups other than the bathhouse come from Sniffies.

[+ FLOutdoors]

Agree that Sniffies is a great site. I’ve been active on there for about a month and have had several great hookups. Seen three of them twice! And it’s a huge ego boost for a silver haired daddy!

[+ sniper]

while sniffies has the highest hit rate, it's kind of terribly designed. The map is way too detailed -  I'm surprised there haven't been home invasions off that app yet -  and the filtering/favorite functions are awful. They're not doing things that apps were able to do 10 years ago.

[Spikeguy]

2 hours ago, sniper said:

while sniffies has the highest hit rate, it's kind of terribly designed. The map is way too detailed -  I'm surprised there haven't been home invasions off that app yet -  and the filtering/favorite functions are awful. They're not doing things that apps were able to do 10 years ago.

I think you can set it to how far you want it to show you are from your real location.  So people know the general area but not the exact street/building.  With Grindr doesn’t it show how many feet away you are which seems more of a security issue.   They can walk down the block until they get zero feet.

[TryItAllTwice]

On 2/25/2026 at 8:13 AM, SometimesBi said:

While we all talk about hiring these days, I'm curious if guys still just do the random hook-up thing anymore?

Years ago, even decades, Craigslist used to be the place to go. But no more. When that ended, I dabbled in a couple apps: A4A, Grindr, and Scruff. (Oh, I seem to also remember a site called Silver Daddies or something). But the last time I tried an app, I got flooded with "interest" from bots. Or, it was the same guys ads I'd seen for the last 5-10 years. Nothing new/fresh. 

Could anyone recommend an app or site that actually works to hook-up? Are there any that actually screen out the bots? Any where guys are current/recent? 

Any apps/sites that are free? Or is a subscription the key to keeping it real? 

(Again to be clear, I am asking about free hook-ups, not hiring). 

Sniffies DOES work