Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky riffs on the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty, and interviews politicians, activists, journalists and other political know-it-alls. Presented by the Chicago Reader, the show is available by 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays at chicagoreader.com/joravsky—or wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t miss Oh, What a Week!–the Friday feature in which Ben & producer Dennis (aka, Dr. D.) review the week’s top stories. Also, bonus interviews drop on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. 

Chicago Reader podcasts are recorded on Shure microphones. Learn more at Shure.com.

Chicago Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky discusses the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty on The Ben Joravsky Show.

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The Chicago Reader is published in print every other week and distributed for free to the more than 1,100 locations on this map.

The latest issue

The latest print issue of the Reader is the issue of June 23, 2022, the Summer Theater & Arts Preview special issue.

You can download the print issue as a free PDF.

The next print issue will be the issue of July, 7, 2022.

Subscribe

Never miss a copy! Paid print subscriptions are available for 12 issues, 26 issues, and for 52 issues from the Reader Store.

Please consider donating.

Chicago Reader print issue dates

The Chicago Reader is published in print every other week. Issues are dated Thursday. Distribution usually happens Wednesday morning through Thursday night of the issue date. Upcoming print issue dates through December 2022 are:

7/7/20227/21/20228/4/20228/18/20229/1/20229/15/20229/29/202210/13/202210/27/202211/10/202211/24/202212/8/202212/22/2022

Download the full 2022 editorial calendar is here (PDF). See our information page for advertising opportunities.

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The Chicago Reader is published in print every other week and distributed for free to the more than 1,100 locations on this map.

The latest issue

The latest print issue of the Reader is the issue of June 23, 2022, the Summer Theater & Arts Preview special issue.

You can download the print issue as a free PDF.

The next print issue will be the issue of July, 7, 2022.

Subscribe

Never miss a copy! Paid print subscriptions are available for 12 issues, 26 issues, and for 52 issues from the Reader Store.

Please consider donating.

Chicago Reader print issue dates

The Chicago Reader is published in print every other week. Issues are dated Thursday. Distribution usually happens Wednesday morning through Thursday night of the issue date. Upcoming print issue dates through December 2022 are:

7/7/20227/21/20228/4/20228/18/20229/1/20229/15/20229/29/202210/13/202210/27/202211/10/202211/24/202212/8/202212/22/2022

Download the full 2022 editorial calendar is here (PDF). See our information page for advertising opportunities.

Read More

Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky riffs on the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty, and interviews politicians, activists, journalists and other political know-it-alls. Presented by the Chicago Reader, the show is available by 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays at chicagoreader.com/joravsky—or wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t miss Oh, What a Week!–the Friday feature in which Ben & producer Dennis (aka, Dr. D.) review the week’s top stories. Also, bonus interviews drop on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. 

Chicago Reader podcasts are recorded on Shure microphones. Learn more at Shure.com.

Chicago Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky discusses the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty on The Ben Joravsky Show.

Read More

Read More

The NBA trade deadline saw a bombshell deal between the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers for Ben Simmons and James Harden. But trades had been on hiatus since then.

Four months later, big deals are back on the menu in the NBA draft and ahead of the league’s free-agency frenzy.

The Oklahoma City Thunder kicked off the latest round of trades Monday when they sent the No. 30 overall pick to the Denver Nuggets for forward JaMychal Green and two future second-round picks.

Then, the Houston Rockets acquired the No. 26 overall pick from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for center Christian Wood. The Rockets also get four players on expiring contracts.

Which other draft picks and players are on the move?

Keep this page bookmarked: We’ll have a rundown of every trade, including grades from ESPN NBA Insider Kevin Pelton.

Trade grades roundup | All 58 NBA draft picks

June 29: Wizards acquire Morris and Barton from Nuggets

Washington Wizards get:
Will Barton
Monte Morris

Denver Nuggets get:
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Ish Smith

Detroit Pistons get:
Nerlens Noel
Alec Burks
Two future second-round picks
Cash considerations

New York Knicks get:
TBD

DRAFT-DAY DEALS

Indiana Pacers get:
Kendall Brown (No. 48 pick in 2022)

Minnesota Timberwolves get:
TBD

Denver Nuggets get:
Ismael Kamagate (No. 46 pick in 2022)

Portland Trail Blazers get:
TBD

Golden State Warriors get:
Ryan Rollins (No. 44 pick in 2022)

Atlanta Hawks get:
No. 51 pick in 2022
Cash

Charlotte Hornets get:
Bryce McGowens (No. 40 pick in 2022)

Minnesota Timberwolves get:
Two future second-rounders

Memphis Grizzlies get:
Kennedy Chandler (No. 38 pick in 2022)

San Antonio Spurs get:
Future second-round pick
Cash

Dallas Mavericks get:
Jaden Hardy (No. 37 pick in 2022)

Sacramento Kings get:
Two future second-round picks

Minnesota Timberwolves get:
Wendell Moore Jr. (No. 26 pick in 2022)

Houston Rockets get:
TyTy Washington Jr. (No. 29 pick in 2022)
Two future second-round picks

Philadelphia 76ers get:
De’Anthony Melton

Memphis Grizzlies get:
David Roddy (No. 23 pick in 2022)
Danny Green

Memphis Grizzlies get:
Jake LaRavia (No. 19 pick in 2022)
Future second-round pick

Minnesota Timberwolves get:
Walker Kessler (No. 22 pick in 2022)
TyTy Washington Jr. (No. 29 pick in 2022)

Detroit Pistons get:
Jalen Duren (No. 13 pick in 2022)
Kemba Walker

Charlotte Hornets get:
Conditional first-round pick
Four future second-round picks

New York Knicks get:
2025 first-round pick (via Milwaukee)

New York Knicks get:
Three future first-round picks

Oklahoma City Thunder get:
Ousmane Dieng (No. 11 pick in 2022)

Los Angeles Lakers get:
Max Christie (No. 35 pick in 2022)

Orlando Magic get:
Future second-round pick
Cash

Cavaliers pick up second-round pick

Cleveland Cavaliers get:
Isaiah Mobley (No. 49 pick in 2022)

Sacramento Kings get:
Draft rights to Sasha Vezenkov (No. 57 pick in 2017)

PRE-DRAFT DEALS

Portland Trail Blazers get:
Jerami Grant
No. 46 pick in 2022

Detroit Pistons get:
2025 first-round pick (via Milwaukee Bucks)
No. 36 pick in 2022
2025 second-round pick
2026 second-round pick

NBA trade grades: What the deal for Jerami Grant means for the Portland Trail Blazers and Detroit Pistons

Dallas Mavericks get:
Christian Wood

Houston Rockets get:
Boban Marjanovic
Marquese Chriss
Trey Burke
Sterling Brown
No. 26 pick

NBA trade grades: What the deal for Christian Wood means for the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets

Oklahoma City Thunder get:
JaMychal Green
2027 first-round pick

Denver Nuggets get:
2022 No. 30 pick
Two future second-round picks

NBA trade grades: Breaking down the Denver Nuggets-Oklahoma City Thunder deal for JaMychal Green

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Maybe it’s a sign of our times that musicals about the aftermath of loss and grief have become so prominent in 21st-century life, from Next to Normal to Dear Evan Hansen. But while both those shows relied on plot devices that hinged on audience misdirection in the case of the former (the better to illustrate the mental disintegration of the mother at the center of the story) and a pretty disquieting Big Lie in the case of the latter, Britta Johnson’s Life After is going for something much less complicated, and yet also more profound. Judging by Annie Tippe’s admirably heartfelt production at the Goodman, this first-time musical largely succeeds at its simple aims.

Life After
Through 7/17: Wed 7:30 PM, Thu 2 and 7:30 PM, Fri 8 PM, Sat 2 and 8 PM, Sun 2 PM; also sensory-friendly/relaxed performance Tue 7/12, 7:30 PM, ASL interpreted Fri 7/15, 8 PM, Spanish subtitles Sat 7/16, 8 PM, open captions Sun 7/17, 2 PM; Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn, 312-443-3800, goodmantheatre.org, $25-$80

Which isn’t to say that Johnson’s musical about a teenager searching for clues about the sudden death of her father in a car accident doesn’t have mystery in its favor. The story hinges on Alice (Samantha Williams) trying to figure out why her father, Frank (Paul Alexander Nolan), a popular self-help author (his bestseller is Transformotions—a title mocked by his youngest offspring), didn’t make his flight the night of her 16th birthday. Was he looking for her because they had a huge argument that morning? Was he looking for someone else? A champion debater, Alice feels most at home in the world of facts to support a thesis. But death isn’t neat and categorizable. And we’re all going to lose our argument with it eventually.

Johnson, a native of Stratford, Ontario, lost her own father at age 13, which may account for the refreshing honesty and general lack of sentimentality in her story and her score. Much here is familiar to anyone who has been through a family loss. We meet siblings who have very different relationships with their dead parent. Alice’s older sister, Kate, played with smoldering rage and protective one-liners by Skyler Volpe, believes she was never their father’s favorite. Mother Beth, played with warmth and barely-holding-it-together forthrightness by Bryonha Marie Parham, can’t wait to replace the flowered wallpaper in Frank’s former study with neutral beige paint, which feels like erasure to Alice. For Beth (as expressed with sorrowful passion by Parham in “Wallpaper”), it represents a chance to reclaim her own life from the shadow of her charismatic husband. 

And throughout there are the choral utility-player Furies (Ashley Pérez Flanagan, Lauryn Hobbs, and Chelsea Williams) who bring endless casseroles; gossip like the “Pick-A-Little Talk-A-Little” townswomen in The Music Man; serve as the high school “mean girls” newly interested in Alice once her loss makes her interesting; and erect plaques and park benches to a man who they revered for his insights (the very ones mocked by Alice), and who died before his children could really know who he was. There’s also Alice’s adorably dorky best friend, Hannah (the scene-stealing Lucy Panush), who sees Frank as a surrogate dad, and her debate coach, Ms. Hopkins (Jen Sese), who is hiding a secret, but not the one Alice first suspects. 

There are some lags in the evening, even at 90 minutes—sometimes we get ahead of Alice in terms of where the story is going, and though the meddling Furies are fun (especially when they’re performing Ann Yee’s sprightly choreography), the joke becomes repetitive. The show almost feels as if Johnson intended it to be sung-through entirely, then changed her mind and inserted more expositional scenes, not all of which feel that illuminating.

There are ways in which the show reminds me of Fun Home, the brilliant musical by Jeanine Tesori and Lisa Kron, based on Alison Bechdel’s graphic memoir about her closeted father. But Life After doesn’t split Alice’s perspective in three parts at different stages of her life, as that show does. (We do see a few flashbacks that flesh out the relationships, but no big leap into an adult perspective for Alice occurs.) Instead, we see Alice and her family slowly coming to terms with the understanding that closure isn’t real, but life does go on, no matter how unimaginable it might seem at the time.

That’s arguably a slight message, as predictable as the aphorisms Frank deals out in his books about forgiving yourself and moving on. But at its best, Life After finds truthful moments that hit the heart and head with equal force.

Read More

Maybe it’s a sign of our times that musicals about the aftermath of loss and grief have become so prominent in 21st-century life, from Next to Normal to Dear Evan Hansen. But while both those shows relied on plot devices that hinged on audience misdirection in the case of the former (the better to illustrate the mental disintegration of the mother at the center of the story) and a pretty disquieting Big Lie in the case of the latter, Britta Johnson’s Life After is going for something much less complicated, and yet also more profound. Judging by Annie Tippe’s admirably heartfelt production at the Goodman, this first-time musical largely succeeds at its simple aims.

Life After
Through 7/17: Wed 7:30 PM, Thu 2 and 7:30 PM, Fri 8 PM, Sat 2 and 8 PM, Sun 2 PM; also sensory-friendly/relaxed performance Tue 7/12, 7:30 PM, ASL interpreted Fri 7/15, 8 PM, Spanish subtitles Sat 7/16, 8 PM, open captions Sun 7/17, 2 PM; Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn, 312-443-3800, goodmantheatre.org, $25-$80

Which isn’t to say that Johnson’s musical about a teenager searching for clues about the sudden death of her father in a car accident doesn’t have mystery in its favor. The story hinges on Alice (Samantha Williams) trying to figure out why her father, Frank (Paul Alexander Nolan), a popular self-help author (his bestseller is Transformotions—a title mocked by his youngest offspring), didn’t make his flight the night of her 16th birthday. Was he looking for her because they had a huge argument that morning? Was he looking for someone else? A champion debater, Alice feels most at home in the world of facts to support a thesis. But death isn’t neat and categorizable. And we’re all going to lose our argument with it eventually.

Johnson, a native of Stratford, Ontario, lost her own father at age 13, which may account for the refreshing honesty and general lack of sentimentality in her story and her score. Much here is familiar to anyone who has been through a family loss. We meet siblings who have very different relationships with their dead parent. Alice’s older sister, Kate, played with smoldering rage and protective one-liners by Skyler Volpe, believes she was never their father’s favorite. Mother Beth, played with warmth and barely-holding-it-together forthrightness by Bryonha Marie Parham, can’t wait to replace the flowered wallpaper in Frank’s former study with neutral beige paint, which feels like erasure to Alice. For Beth (as expressed with sorrowful passion by Parham in “Wallpaper”), it represents a chance to reclaim her own life from the shadow of her charismatic husband. 

And throughout there are the choral utility-player Furies (Ashley Pérez Flanagan, Lauryn Hobbs, and Chelsea Williams) who bring endless casseroles; gossip like the “Pick-A-Little Talk-A-Little” townswomen in The Music Man; serve as the high school “mean girls” newly interested in Alice once her loss makes her interesting; and erect plaques and park benches to a man who they revered for his insights (the very ones mocked by Alice), and who died before his children could really know who he was. There’s also Alice’s adorably dorky best friend, Hannah (the scene-stealing Lucy Panush), who sees Frank as a surrogate dad, and her debate coach, Ms. Hopkins (Jen Sese), who is hiding a secret, but not the one Alice first suspects. 

There are some lags in the evening, even at 90 minutes—sometimes we get ahead of Alice in terms of where the story is going, and though the meddling Furies are fun (especially when they’re performing Ann Yee’s sprightly choreography), the joke becomes repetitive. The show almost feels as if Johnson intended it to be sung-through entirely, then changed her mind and inserted more expositional scenes, not all of which feel that illuminating.

There are ways in which the show reminds me of Fun Home, the brilliant musical by Jeanine Tesori and Lisa Kron, based on Alison Bechdel’s graphic memoir about her closeted father. But Life After doesn’t split Alice’s perspective in three parts at different stages of her life, as that show does. (We do see a few flashbacks that flesh out the relationships, but no big leap into an adult perspective for Alice occurs.) Instead, we see Alice and her family slowly coming to terms with the understanding that closure isn’t real, but life does go on, no matter how unimaginable it might seem at the time.

That’s arguably a slight message, as predictable as the aphorisms Frank deals out in his books about forgiving yourself and moving on. But at its best, Life After finds truthful moments that hit the heart and head with equal force.

Read More

The Chicago Blackhawks are having a big week. They just announced a new head coach as Luke Richardson is going to be the guy replacing Derek King in 2022-23. They are going to rebuild now and it is time that they actually do it the right way again.

A lot of the trade speculation seems to surround Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane. That makes sense as each of them has one year left on their current deals. They are also the two best players on the team right now.

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While some people like to be in a relationship, others don’t have the time or flexibility to be in one. People get too busy with work or other activities and they just don’t have time to invest in a full relationship. There’s nothing wrong with that. Successful relationships take a tremendous amount of time, effort, and patience, and that’s why casual hookups have become mainstream.

With so many hookup sites to choose from, it’s important to note that different sites cater to different tastes. We’ve reviewed the best hookup sites and casual dating apps to get some action. Yes, this is another list, but we’ve actually tried them all.

Please note that when we say free, we mean you can use the basic features without cost. If you decide to meet up with someone, you’ll have to crack open the wallet. We’ve included each site’s pricing to help you choose the best option.

Let’s dive into the reviews and ratings.

16 Best Free Hookup Sites and Apps for Casual Dating in 2022

RankBrandBest For1.Adult FriendFinderBest overall hookup site2.BuddyBangRunner-up best3.BeNaughtyBest for flirtiest singles4.Ashley MadisonBest for affairs5.Seeking ArrangementBest for sugar baby/sugar daddy/mommy6.ALTBest for alternative and BDSM sex7.OKCupidTop choice for millennials8.HingeSomewhat serious, but mostly FWB9.ZooskBest for short-term dating10.BumbleSafest for women11.Plenty of FishBest for lots of options12.TinderMost popular app13.Pure AppBest for fantasy based14.FeeldMost open-minded singles15.Sex MessengerBest for anonymous hookups16.Reddit R4RBest completely free option

1.  Adult Friend Finder – Best overall hookup site

Adult Friend Finder is one of the oldest, so consequently most popular, hookup sites. It prides itself in being the best casual dating site to find adult singles for whatever arrangement you’re looking for.

This dating site caters to swinging, non-monogamous relationships, threesomes, and experimental experiences. Whether you’re looking for an NSA (no-strings-attached) relationship, a one-night stand to spice up your marriage, or a quick fling, you will find a plethora of options and arrangements on this site.

Once you create a profile on Adult Friend Finder, you can customize your search to narrow down people interested in the same arrangement as you. It also provides additional content such as webcam shows and erotic stories.

Pros:

1oo percent designed for sex, sex, and more sexYou’ll find any kink on the spectrumRelatively easy to find people into the same things as you

Cons:

Pro memberships are expensiveFree version has too many ads

Pricing:One-month membership: $39.95 total
Three-month membership: $26.95/month
One-year membership: $19.95/month

2.  BuddyBang – Runner-up best site

BuddyBang helps you find a buddy to sleep with. That shouldn’t be hard for you to figure out. This no-judgement site operates like an express train to the friends-with-benefits phase. It’s as simple as browse, chat, bang.

While you won’t find romance here, you will find passion. Lustful adults flock to BuddyBang to chat and make connections. Ultimately, the goal is to arrange a meetup with a saucy stranger in your area. If you’re lucky, that one-night stand might turn into a long-term arrangement.

With a relatively affordable monthly subscription and advanced search filters, getting laid on BuddyBang is a piece of cake. It’s way easier than shelling out tons of cash for dinner dates that may lead nowhere.

Pros:

Users are very responsiveEveryone is to-the-pointAdvanced search and filter functionsAffordable

Cons:

Annoying ads when you use the free versionHard to get to know users because they’re so thirsty

Pricing:One-year membership: $19.95/month
One-month membership: $39.95 total
Three-month membership: $26.95/month

3.  BeNaughty – Best for flirty singles

BeNaughty naturally draws some of the most frisky singles in your area. It’s in the name. Plus, breaking the ice is easy as BeNaughty gives users tons of ways to connect. Browse the gallery or enter a naughty chat room for potential dates. When you find someone you like, you can send a wink, a message, or start a live one-on-one chat.

BeNaughty works because it’s to-the-point. While users are looking for fast fun, there is no time for games. They want a hookup, and quickly.

Open-minded and discreet, BeNaughty gives you the option to seek out singles or couples for a fast fling. By adjusting your search filter, you can find your ideal scenario and weed out people who aren’t your type.

Pros:

Various ways to connectNo judgement when it comes to kinksGreat for finding singles and couplesCheap three-day trial

Cons:

Users tend to be appearance-drivenYou’ll eventually want a premium membership

Pricing:Three-day trial: $1.05/day
One-month membership: $27.01 total
Three-month membership: $15.15/month
Six-month membership: $12.24/month

4.  Ashley Madison – Best for affairs

Ashley Madison has the reputation of being a site for affairs and discreet married dating. Its slogan is literally “Life is short. Have an affair.” The brand has become notoriously known over the years for being a site for married people to flirt and hook up.

The site caters to students in relationships, lonely wives, married men, and everyday people who want to find a safe space to maintain an affair and not be judged. This hookup site is excellent for those who are attached and seeking excitement from a monotone lifestyle and exploring the world of extramarital affairs.

Ashley Madison is the first married dating website and is committed to discretion. Despite the backlash and reputation, this site continues to be popular and has an immense database that crosses every major city in the world.

Pros:

Free for women to useVery discreetJudgment-free because nearly everyone is married and looking

Cons:

Not the most moral hookup optionExpensive for men to use

Pricing:Basic Plan: 100 credits at $0.59/credit
Classic Plan: 500 credits at $0.34/credit
Elite Plan: 1000 credits at $0.29/credit

5. Seeking Arrangement – Best for sugar relationships

Seeking Arrangement has a straightforward target audience: rich and experienced individuals seeking the young and gorgeous. This sugar daddy site is about helping daddies and mommas find sugar babies or cubs for hookups.

It has a much higher user base of women because the “sugar baby” theme brings many young women to the site. The site claims to have four times the number of women than men in their database. The prerequisite is that sugar daddies have to be wealthy and successful. They give priority to verified “elite members” who join with the sole intention of spoiling their sugar babies with money and attention.

Seeking Arrangements is a great site for beautiful young women looking for fun, attention, and a “daddy” to spoil them! This site is not the best to find a lasting love story—it’s geared toward hookups and has a more transaction-like nature.

Pros:

Free for women to sign upGreat for rich men because of the number of women using the siteGreat for women to find verified wealthy men

Cons:

Not for men who are on a budgetHookups feel almost transactional

Pricing:Women are free
One-month membership: $89.95/month
Three-month membership: $79.95/month
Diamond membership (more premium features): $249.95/month

6.  ALT – Best for alternative relationships

ALT is a full-on casual sex website. It’s not for anyone who is on the hunt for a serious relationship. This site is all about casual sex in every form to gratify any sex-seeker! The website’s community is made up of those who are into alternative bondage, who enjoy hooking up online, live, and in-person for sex dates.

It caters to people who want to find alternative, BDSM, bondage, and fetish partners who can connect online and meet in person. ALT speaks to swingers, dominatrixes, and mistresses looking for power exchange.

ALT is the leading BDSM site, with almost 2 million members. You can easily customize your fetish and find someone who is into the same kinks as you! Remember that this site is all about kink, such as orgies, being humiliated, or being tortured, and not about vanilla sex. So, if you’re looking for just plain sex, opt for another option on this list.

Pros:

Easily find people that share your kinkLots of X-rated content to browse throughLive cams and shows

Cons:

Too many fake profilesHave to buy a premium account to get the most access

Pricing:Silver Membership: $19.95/month (with longer plans available)
Gold Membership: $29.95/month (with longer plans available)

7.  OKCupid – Best for millennials and young people

OKCupid is a mainstream dating app that caters to many different kinds of relationships. It provides a multitude of choices for millennials looking not just for long-term relationships but options for short-term relationships, casual dating, and hookups. All you have to do is set that as what you are looking for, and they match you to like-minded people!

This site gears toward a generally younger audience—the age group between 18-29. This site is also one of the most inclusive mainstream dating websites that includes many gender and orientation options, helping you zero in on the particular pool of choices you want!

OKCupid may be a mainstream dating app that includes finding long-term relationships, but given its wide range of options, filters, and preferences, it’s a great app for hookups and casual sex as well. Just be up-front and be prepared to meet a great bunch of locals looking for the same things as you.

Pros:

Vast user base of peopleFind locals who are looking for casual sex and datingAffordable

Cons:

May find many looking for long-term relationshipsWill have to answer quite a few questions to see matches

Pricing:One-month membership: $19.95 total
Six-month membership: $9.95/month

8.  Hinge – Best for hybrid serious and FWB relationships

Hinge is a mainstream dating app that focuses on finding real romance—but it is also used to find casual sex and friends with benefits. The truth about Hinge is that it’s “designed to be deleted.”

But fear not! This app is incredibly popular with the younger crowd (18 to 29 years of age) and has filters to state the nature of the relationship you’re interested in. This setup is the best for friends with benefits because you have to answer questions about yourself and your preferences, which will bring you closer to meeting someone you share similar interests with and are attracted to!

Hinge is a great hookup app for those who want to find a casual relationship where you hook up with the same person a few times instead of just a one-night stand. Just be straight up with what you’re looking for—and you might just meet a new FWB with absolutely no strings attached.

Pros:

Popular with millennialsMatchmaking algorithm is great (apt for FWB)

Cons:

Created for finding long-lasting relationshipsMay not find a large user base of casual sex enthusiasts

Pricing:One month: $12.99 total
Three-month membership: $20.99 total
Six-month membership: $29.99 total

9.  Zoosk – Best for short term dating

Zoosk is a great short-term dating site that is internationally famous. It has a community of 35 million users in 80 different countries, and it is open to singles of all ages, races, religions, and sexual orientations—making it one of the most diverse dating apps.

This app may not be the best for casual hookups and one-night stands, but it is a good contender for short-term dating. If you’re in your early to mid-20s, you’ll find a great selection of singles who are interested in short-term or casual relationships.

Pros:

Very active usersUsed in over 80 countriesDiverse selection to find what you’re looking for

Cons:

May not be the best site for casual sexAdditional features cost extra

Pricing:One-month membership: $29.95 total
Three-month membership: $19.98/month
Six-month membership: $12.49/month

10.  Bumble – Safest for women

Bumble has gained a reputation for being different from most other mainstream dating and hookup apps. If you haven’t heard of this app already, Bumble is one of the first and only sites where women make the first move and get to screen potential men immediately. Men simply cannot reach out to any women unless they’ve initiated contact and interest.

It is catered towards and attracts more women than men looking to mingle or find networking opportunities, friends, or hookups! Even though it has a relatively positive and clean rep, it’s a great site for educated, good-looking men who are searching for successful, bold women.

Pros:

More women than menWomen initiate contactComprehensive and easy-to-use interface

Cons:

Other relationships (friendships and business networking) get in the way of potentials

Pricing:
Premium Membership: $8.99/week

11.  Plenty of Fish – Best for lots of options

Plenty of Fish has the largest user base. POF was launched in 2003, being one of the oldest dating sites. Since it’s free and easy to sign up, you’re going to be exposed to a lot of different types of people, looking for different things, so you’ll have to filter through them all.

Since it’s been around for a long time, it has gained a reputation as a matchmaker site that will ask questions about your family, career, and interests to match you with similar users. It’s catered for people who want to dip their toes into dating and hookup sites to explore options.

Plenty of Fish may or may not have people looking for casual sex, depending on your luck. It’s a matchmaker site that is geared more for a long-term commitment. So you have to be prepared to screen different kinds of people.

Pros:

Multiple search filtersLargest user base of profiles

Cons:

May come across bots or fake accounts

Pricing:One-month membership: $19.99 total
Three-month membership: $9.80/month
One-year membership: $5.95/month

12.  Tinder – Most popular app

You didn’t think this list was going to end without this sex gem of an app, did you? Tinder is the most widely known hookup app of this generation. It boasts an infamous rep for finding casual sex ASAP.

Tinder caters to men and women looking to get laid based on appearance. It’s known for its classic swiping left to reject and swiping right to like someone’s profile. If you’re looking for sex, Tinder has a huge user base and a large number of locals, meaning you can probably secure a sex date tonight—but the catch is that your profile needs to stand out. If you’re not conventionally attractive, you’re going to struggle to find dates.

For men who can’t seem to find dates, Tinder has a large user base of escorts who will private message their rates. If you’re horny and want it—then maybe you can meet a potential escort on Tinder!

Pros:

Best starter app for quick sexLots of escorts

Cons:

Lots of fake profilesVery superficial and appearance-focused

Pricing: Free: limited swipes
One month: $9.99 total if you are under 30
One month: $19.99 total if you are over 30

13.  Pure App – Best for fantasy based hookups

Pure App was created for shameless and judgment-free fantasy and desire-based dating. This app is purely for NSA affairs and is completely secretive and anonymous. It encourages its users to be whoever they choose to be and still be themselves.

It caters to people who have wild fantasies or desires that aren’t celebrated on mainstream dating and hookup apps. It allows your individuality to shine through—choosing your gender and sexuality—and providing guaranteed privacy and safety to video chat and meet whoever shares the same fantasies as you.

Pure App uses your GPS location on your phone to find other Pure users looking for some NSA action. You just have to post a photo and an up-front headline and wait to see if anyone close is interested. When you’re done, your profile will vanish, along with all your messages and photos—no need to worry about deactivating or privacy issues.

Pros:

Profiles, messages, and photos shared will disappear once you’re doneStarting up is easy: post a photo and sentenceEmbraces individuality and authentic fantasies

Cons:

Only popular in major cities

Pricing:One week: $14.99 total
One month: $29.99 total

14.  Feeld

Feeld is a hookup app for couples and singles to explore their desires. It was created to be an honest and open platform where you don’t judge others and explore the potential of your desire.

It includes couples’ accounts where you and your partner can date a lover or meet someone for a threesome. It’s inclusive for all genders and sexual orientations. Overall, it’s a sex-positive space for anyone looking to explore beyond “the norm” in today’s society.

Feeld prides itself on being responsible and ethical. It connects people with like-minded folk and encourages curious monogamous couples to link with partners who are also interested. It is a safe space that allows couples to explore their desires in the most honest way possible.

Pros:

One of the largest open-minded communities worldwideSex-positive and promotes ethical dating choices

Cons:

Premium version is not available on AndroidMust have a Facebook account to verify your identity during sign-up

Pricing
One-month membership: $14.99 total
Three-month membership: $29.98 total

15.  Sex Messenger – Best for anonymous hookups

Sex Messenger is an anonymous instant messaging app—like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger. But you never share your name because it’s meant to be discreet and only for sexting and trading nudes.

This app is an adult social network that is much more than an online sex chat. It caters to people who want to connect with other people who want to engage in sex and dirty talk, and fulfill each other’s sexual fantasies. Instant messaging on this app and posting blog entries will help you gain the attention you want from like-minded people.

All members must verify their accounts, so this weeds out fake profiles, scammers, and bots. Members can contribute to the website through Sex Messenger’s forums, chats, group sections, sex stories, and blogs. It’s all anonymous and fully discrete. This app is a great way to sext, increase sexual tension, and finally meet up to do the deed!

Pros:

Safe way to send and receive nudesAnonymity is keyGoal is to meet up for anonymous sex—NSA!

Cons:

Need to pay for a premium account to access live chat or live cams

Pricing
One-month membership: $14.95 total

16.  Reddit R4R – Best completely free options

Reddit R4R is one of the best options for browse casual sex options for free. If you’re looking for a hookup but don’t want to sign up, post photos of yourself, and write out a bio to describe who you are and what you want . . . you found the site for you!

This site works as a personals subreddit. It works like any other subreddit. Anyone can post—no photos, no personal information needed! All you have to do is list some things about yourself and the type of person you’re looking for. And then you wait to see if anyone responds to your post.

Reddit R4R is free, so all you have to do is download the Reddit app, and you don’t need to worry about spending money. If you want to be a trusted member and not get blocked, just follow the posting rules! Users love this site to get laid because it’s easy to use, free, and starts an instant conversation with like-minded people.

Pros:

FreeNo membership neededLots of daily interactions and hits

Cons:

Hard to stand outCan’t pay to boost your posts

Pricing: Free

Hookup Site Guide

Still on the fence about whether or not you should start using hookup apps? Or maybe you’re already using them but want some more information? Check out this useful guide to answer any lingering questions you may have and walk away with some important safety tips about casual sex.

What Makes a Hookup Site Good?

It’s important to note that different sites cater to different kinds of people. So before creating a profile on any old hookup site, read the reviews to make sure it meets your needs.

Here are a few tips to find the best hookup site specific to you:

If you have a particular kink or preference, keep an eye out for it. (example: Looking for discreet affairs? Ashley Madison is the one for you!)Make sure the size of the user base is relatively large. More options mean a better chance of finding someone to hook up with.Find a site that allows users to be up-front about what they want. Usually, apps have preferences, and you can set yours to “casual relationship” or “hookup.”Make sure the customer service contact information is front and center. You shouldn’t have to go on an expedition to contact the site.

FAQs About Hookup Sites

Q: Are hookup sites dangerous?
Hookup sites and online dating can be dangerous if you don’t take proper safety measures. Generally, apps and websites catered to casual sex and sexual exploration try their best to regulate safety by banning bots and scammers and having options to report any bad behavior. So if you’re planning on joining, be aware and try your best not to be too gullible—you can never be sure who you will come across online!

Q: Are there any free hookup sites?It sucks that most dating apps and casual sex apps require you to subscribe to get optimum results. But sites like Reddit R4R and Craigslist Activities offer a free platform to chat, flirt, and arrange for sex dates. But the only downside is that there is no moderation and you won’t be talking to a verified profile and have to be extra cautious.

Q: What hookup sites are free for women?
The reality is that dating apps make it very easy for women to find sex. Most high-rated dating sites offer women free memberships (mostly to balance out the male/female ratio on their site). Sex sites that are free for women include Bumble, OkCupid, Tinder, Seeking, Hinge, Her, and Pure.

Final Verdict

If you’re looking for some action tonight, welcome to the world of casual sex sites and apps. With so many different ones to choose from, all you have to do is pick the one that speaks to you, your individuality, and your desires the most, and sign up!

The best hookup sites are on top for a reason—everyone on there is eager to find sex and casual flings just like you! More than mainstream dating apps that cater to a plethora of things such as long-term dating, friendships, and so on, hookup apps are catered only towards sex and NSA fun!

The best hookup site on this list is Adult Friend Finder. It emphasizes anonymity, safety, a massive user base, and a brand name that is verified. Most people on this site are looking for a good time with so many different types of kinks and fantasies. So what are you waiting for?

Hopefully, this list gives you an idea of what sex app is the best for you to get started on today!

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