If you’re looking to make new friends in Calgary, this app sets you up for a midweek dinner with strangers – and we spoke with someone who tried it!
Timeleft is an international app available in cities all over the world, including Calgary. It’s a whole new approach to meeting new people, with the focus on making connections in the real world, rather than through a screen.
It’ll probably come as no surprise that meaningful social connections are incredibly important for our mental health. According to Statistics Canada, over one in 10 Canadians report feeling lonely often or always. Now before that makes you sad, we should specify that this survey was done back in 2021, in the height of the event that shall not be named.
The bright side is that there are all sorts of new and innovative apps, platforms, clubs, and meet-ups helping people make new friends. With this app, users sign up online and get matched with five strangers to meet for a group dinner on Wednesday nights. Yes, only on Wednesdays.
According to the Timeleft website, “Wednesdays are the perfect opportunity to take a breather, meet new people, and share stories that can inspire and energize you. With the weekend still on the horizon, a midweek dinner becomes a little celebration that recharges you and brings something exciting to look forward to as part of your weekly rhythm.”
The emphasis of the app is to help you make genuine connections in the city you live in, but it does not define itself as a dating app.
How does it work?
Here’s how you can dine with strangers to make new friends in Calgary.
Start with a quiz
Sign up on the Timeleft app and complete a short personality quiz. The app’s algorithm uses this information to find like-minded people in your city
Match with five strangers
Timeleft’s algorithm uses your quiz results to match you up with five strangers you’re likely to vibe with.
Timeleft books and organizes
No need to worry about calling ahead. Timeleft will organize and book your group for a table of six and send you the when and where. Restaurants are hand-picked through user feedback to provide amazing experiences and suit a variety of budgets and dietary restrictions.
Show up and have fun
Meet five potential new friends for dinner. You can even use the app’s ice-breakers to get the conversation flowing. About an hour after dinner starts, the app lets you unlock a Last Drink location. Handy if you’re getting along and want to keep the party going.
Rate and connect
Provide feedback on your experience and stay connected with those you meet. If the feeling is mutual, you can start chatting and keep the conversation going.
From someone who tried it
Considering a blind dinner party is all well and good, but what is the experience really like? We sat down with Chloe, a Public Relations Professional in Calgary to hear about how her night went.
How easy was it to sign up for the Timeleft app? Does it really take care of all the planning for you?
“It was super easy honestly; once I opened the app it asked me some pretty basic questions about how I identify, my interests, and how I would describe myself. The dinner plans themselves were really well done. I just showed up and told them I had a reservation at table two and that was that.”
Which restaurant in Calgary did you go to?
“We went to National on 10th which I think was a great location; super casual as well as both central and affordable. The food and drinks were really good as well. Timeleft also made arrangements at Modern Love for a sort of “after party” where other groups could gather and connect with each other. My group stuck pretty close together while we were there but it was cool to get the opportunity to meet other people who had just had the same experience as you.”
How was your experience? Was there anything that surprised you?
“Overall I had a really good time! It’s always fun for me to meet new people, even if it’s just for an evening. I was surprised by how many people had done it before; there was one person in my group who had gone to two or three dinners already, and some people I met at Modern Love had gone plenty more times than that.”
Did you end up making any lasting connections?
“I’ve hung out with three of the five others again, and I would say of those three I feel that I’m likely to only stay in touch with one. I don’t know that I’ll use it again only because I found it was quite similar to what I do for work so it wasn’t the same novelty I’m sure it would be for some people. That being said, I think if I moved somewhere or even was bored on vacation it would be a really good way to meet people, or at the very least have a fun story to tell!”
How much was your Timeleft ticket? What did the evening end up costing you?
“My ticket was $20, and I think all together my night was about $60.”
Whether you’re new to the city, or just trying to make some new friends in Calgary, nothing beats meeting people in real life. The fact that the app takes care of all the planning for you is just a bonus.
What do you think, would you give it a try?
Where: Available in Calgary and cities around the world
Cost: $20+ for your Calgary Timeleft ticket. The cost of the meal is not included in your ticket and will be paid at the restaurant.
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