Gay Hookup: Embracing Hookup Culture in the Gay Community

Doublelist Team

June 3, 2024 13 minutes read
Connect with straight, gay, bi and curious!

When we think of romantic comedies, it all revolves around the happy ending with the right person. But this isn’t for us all! Sometimes, a hookup suits us perfectly! Looking for love is not on everyone’s agenda. We just want some steamy sex and hot hookups! What’s wrong with that? 

The good news is that if you’re looking for a gay hookup, there’s plenty of opportunity. From dating sites to local hotspots, there are many places to get your fix. Do you want to enjoy a causal relationship? Or are you after a one-night stand? Whatever it is, we’re here to help you find it! Let’s dive in. 

DoubleList graphic of people including gay couples, women, and drag queens to symbolize a pride parade.

A Gay Hookup: Understanding Hookup Culture 

Hookup culture is all about a lack of romantic ties and deep connections; it’s casual. If you’re on a mission to find your soulmate, it’s probably not for you! For lots of people, it’s a fun way of dating. In the LGBTQ+ community, hookup culture is popular, and plenty of people dive into it. 

The Pew Research Centre discusses dating in the LGBTQ+ community. The study shows that  55% of the community report that they have used online dating at some point. This is roughly half the amount of straight adults.

What Should I Expect From Gay Hookup Apps and Hookup Culture? 

What should you expect from it? We’ll be honest: hookup culture isn’t for everyone. However, if you’re feeling up for some steamy dates and casual encounters, you might just love it! 

Here are some things to expect from gay hookup apps and hookup culture:

1. Different Experiences 

Everyone’s different; we know that! By hooking up with different people, you’ll really notice it! Chances are, you won’t have the same experience or conversations twice. If you’re in the midst of hookup culture, you’ll get an opportunity to explore a range of options. This means you can really explore your preferences and find out what you like. 

DoubleList graphic of a shirtless man facedown under four pillows with his feet and hands bound in front of a purple backdrop.

2. Lots of Communication 

Hookup culture requires some communication as you navigate boundaries and preferences. Expressing what you like and don’t like is quite important in hookup culture. So you can expect a lot of communication. 

3. Casual Dynamics 

Hookup culture is all about casual encounters and hookups. You’re not looking for love with these people! Instead, you’re just looking for a bit of fun. The casual dynamic means that you probably won’t have a deep, intense connection with someone. You might only see them once for a one-night stand. 

If hookup culture is new to you, knowing what to expect might help ease your mind! 

DoubleList graphic of diverse people of various orientations and genders in front of rainbow flags to symbolize pride.

How To Find Gay Hookups 

If you’re wondering how to find gay hookups, the good news is that there are actually a lot of options. If you want to explore hookup culture in the LGBTQ+ community, you can either look online or in person. For the more old-school folk who enjoy the sparks of an in-person meeting, you can explore your local area. For people seeking lust online, many sites cater to gay hookups, too!

We’ll explore the different places in more detail later on. But here are some general ideas of where to find hookups:

  • Online dating sites and apps 
  • Singles events 
  • LGBTQ+ bars and clubs 
  • Social media
  • Local events or classes

Of course, the options are endless, and you never know where you might meet someone! But if you’re looking for a hookup specifically, give these places a go! 

One main thing to remember is that being clear about your intentions is useful. There’s no point going after something you don’t really want. Of course, it’s up to you how subtle you are, but being clear is essential. It just keeps everyone on the same page, which is helpful! 

Are you after a friends-with-benefits dynamic? Or will a steamy date in your area do? You get to decide, and once you know, you can make your move.

DoubleList graphic of two fists with the LGBTQIA+ anagram on each knuckle, punching through rainbow paper to symbolize gay dating.

Finding Local Gay Hookups: In-Person Sparks 

You might want to create an in-person connection, and that’s great! The question is, where can you find one? Here are some places you can find local gay hookups:

1. Gay Bars 

If you want to find someone with similar intentions to you, try searching for hookups in gay bars. Gay bars are generally full of people looking to meet like-minded gay people for some casual fun. Why not try out some of your local gay bars and buy someone a drink? Don’t be nervous and avoid going up to someone. Be confident and make your move! 

DoubleList collage of a man looking at a collection of phallic vegetables symbolizing curiousity about gay dating.

2. Gay Clubs 

Clubs are great places to find people for hookups. The people there are looking for a good time, and you can give them that! Generally, people love socializing in clubs through dancing. So, show off some of your best moves to catch people’s attention. 

3. LGBTQ+ Singles Events 

Most of the time, singles events are for people looking for relationships. But, sometimes, there’s an undeniable spark with someone you meet there! Are you compatible with a relationship? Not really! Are you compatible in the bedroom? Definitely! These events are great places to meet new people, so dive right in! 

4. Local Classes or Events 

No matter where you live, there are usually some kinds of events that go on! It might be yoga. It might be a pottery painting. You never know where you’ll meet someone! You might go to one of these classes and end up forming a huge crush on someone. You might get that sexual spark with someone, and that’s always worth following.

These are some great places to widen your social circles and meet some new people. Sure, not everyone’s always looking for a casual hookup. But if you don’t try, you won’t know! 

DoubleList graphic of a cartoon peach and cucumber character overlaying a gay couple kissing in a busy club scene.

Craigslist Gay Hookup 

If you know about hookup culture, it’s probably worth mentioning Craigslist! Before 2018, finding a Craigslist gay hookup was a great shout. For the LGBTQ+ community, Craigslist was a great online space to find like-minded people with similar desires and preferences. 

The Craigslist Personals section was an incredibly popular part of the online dating scene before 2018. Due to safety concerns, the section was closed down, leaving many people high and dry. Of course, other sites have emerged to fill the void, but it’s definitely left a gap.

But what made the Craigslist Personals section so well-known for finding gay hookups? Here are some ideas:

  • Accessible to many people. If you wanted to dive into the dating pool, Craigslist was full of options. The site was free and easy to use, meaning anyone with access to the internet could use it. This meant that the dating pool was vast and the perfect place to explore. 
  • Diverse preferences. With so many people using the site, there were plenty of preferences to follow. When you’re in the midst of hookup culture, you might see it as a great opportunity to try new things. From kink culture to threesomes, Craigslist catered to everyone. 
  • Like-minded people. By using the categories on Craigslist, you could follow your sexual orientation. This helped to streamline the process of connecting with people. Plus, finding like-minded people to date is always important!

The Craigslist Personals section is no longer there; however, there are some great sites with similar features and benefits.  

DoubleList graphic of man wearing a fishnet shirt and bunny ears in front of a rainbow ribbon and collage backdrop.

Gay Hookup Sites Like Craigslist 

Are you looking for gay hookup sites like Craigslist? The good news is that after the site removed the Personals section, a lot of other sites emerged. So, singles around the world could still get their dating fix. With similar features and benefits, here are some sites inspired by the Craigslist Personals section:

1. DoubleList 

DoubleList works in a really similar way to Craigslist. You can choose from a list of categories and dive into dating by browsing personal ads. You can write your own ad, stating what it is that you’re seeking in dating. The site is incredibly open-minded, so no request is too much. It’s also active in 248 locations, so you can find someone near you for a hookup. 

2. Oodle 

Oodle operates similarly and is also all about personal ads. Oodle is great for filters to narrow down your options so you can get specific about your preferences. 

3. Locanto 

Locanto is a site for classifieds that’s great for finding all sorts near where you live, not just hookups. It has very similar categories to what Craigslist has, so finding a casual encounter is quite simple. You just need to write a personal ad that tells everyone what you want. Then, just wait for the responses to roll in!

4. Reddit 

You’ll probably already know that Reddit is a site that lets you post and browse all kinds of topics. On the site, there are subreddits to help you find specific discussions that appeal to you. There are dating ones, too, where people go to find hookups or dates. Like Craigslist, you just need to post a personal ad and hope that someone responds.

These sites all cater to people who are missing the format of the long-lost Craigslist Personals section. Just write a great personal ad, state what you’re seeking, and potential hookup partners will come your way. 

Gay Hookup Map 

Some people like to find hookups in their local area. It’s all the more fun this way! A gay hookup map is an online tool that helps people find hookups nearby. It’s basically a map that shows you the location and proximity of a hookup partner. How convenient! You can use this tool to find people near you. 

Here’s a popular app that has this feature:

1. Sniffies 

Sniffies is a map-based app that uses a map to show gay men where other singles are. It just takes the hassle out of finding a hookup. Instead of striking up a conversation on a dating app, you can just use the interactive and immersive features. You can also use the app to see meeting spots near you. So, if you’re traveling and you want a quick hookup, it’s a good shout! 

This method of finding a hookup is very efficient! Plus, you don’t need to worry about trekking too far! 

DoubleList graphic featuring five shirtless men wearing sparkly bunny ear masks overlaying torn paper and rainbow squiggle.

Best Gay Hookup Apps

If you want to explore some of the best gay hookup apps with great features, we have some ideas. These apps are for members of the LGBTQ+ community who want to find a steamy hookup. Here are some of the best:

1. Scruff

Scruff is a common choice for people in the LGBTQ+ community. It gives you the option to state what you’re using the app for. This can help to avoid confusion later down the line! Scruff is quite a secure app that prioritizes the safety of people in the gay community. So you can mingle with ease. 

2. Zoosk

Zoosk is really popular in the gay community, adding to its appeal. The good thing about Zoosk is that it rules nothing out, so you’re free to explore your options. You don’t have to limit yourself as there are no expectations. Just mingle with people all over the world or in your area and arrange a hot hookup. 

3. HER

Her is for lesbian and bisexual women looking for anything from casual encounters to serious relationships. This app is very social! In a way, it operates as a social media platform with a section for upcoming events. Just match with people and go get your hookup! 

These apps are great for anyone looking to mingle with like-minded people and find a hookup. Just add them and get searching for that fling!  

DoubleList graphic featuring erect cartoon condoms with human arms lined up outside a door with legs symbolizing a hookup.

Free Gay Hookup Apps 

So, if you want to find a hookup but don’t want to break the bank, we get it! There are lots of free sites and apps out there to help you out! 

Here are some free gay hookup apps:

1. Tinder

The app’s all about initial attraction, which is ideal for hookup culture! Everyone knows Tinder’s expectations, so you won’t have to engage in much conversation. 

2. Grindr 

This app is for people who want to enjoy a hookup with someone in their area; it’s all about location. The sexual nature of the app means you won’t need to try too hard to get laid. If you want to enjoy hookup culture, it’s very much accepted on this app. 

3. Hinge 

Hinge is for all kinds of dating dynamics, so nothing is ruled out! This app is quite profile-based, so you can get exploring. Users look for all kinds of encounters on this app, so just be upfront from the get-go.

DoubleList graphic of cucumber with a cartoon face and arms kissing a man laying on a bed symbolizing gay dating.

Anonymous Gay Hookup Apps and Sites 

Sometimes, the thought of openly dating is a little daunting. Some gay people are not quite ready to put themselves out there. That’s fine! It’s not for everyone, and pressure always makes things feel worse. Luckily, if you’re looking for an anonymous gay hookup, some sites cater to that! 

Here are some ideas:

1. Ashley Madison 

This site is for people who want a fling outside their marriage. Because of this, you can up your privacy settings. The site is really for people to date in secret, so it’s a good place to enjoy an anonymous hookup. There’s no judgment or pressure about revealing who you really are. Everyone’s on the same page! 

2. MenNation 

MenNation is a popular gay hookup site where men are free to explore. The site creates an anonymous atmosphere for gay men to follow their preferences in private. You can use the search and browsing tools to narrow down your options. Plus, you’re totally free to try out all kinds of desires.

3. BeNaughty 

Are you feeling naughty? This site is really sex-orientated, so you don’t really need to share much personal information. It’s not one of those sites that revolve around getting to know someone. It’s all about the naughty side of dating. If you want to explore your desires in hookup culture, you only need to share your gender and age. You also need to enter your sexual orientation. 

These sites are great for people who want a no-nonsense hookup without sharing too many personal details. They all cater to people who want to explore hookup culture. So, if you want to find a hookup, these sites are ready and waiting to find you a discreet one.  

Seeking a Real Gay Hookup? Try DoubleList!  

Are you seeking a real gay hookup? DoubleList is a free and open-minded dating site for the LGBTQ+ community to explore. With categories inspired by the long-lost Craigslist personals section, you can seek your preferences and desires. No request is too much, so you’re free to dive into dating. Are you looking for a gay hookup? Sign up for DoubleList and get your fix!

Unlock your wildest fantasies and connect with locals today!

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