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1 killed, 2 wounded when gunman fires at their cars in Washington Heights

One man was killed and two other people were wounded when a gunman opened fire at their cars Tuesday afternoon in Washington Heights on the South Side.

The attack happened around 2:40 p.m. when someone in another car fired shots in the 9200 block of South Halsted Street, Chicago police said.

A man, 31, was shot multiple times and was pronounced dead at Advocate Christ Medical Center, police said.

Another man, 29, and a woman, 38, were hospitalized in fair condition, each with a gunshot wound to the leg, police said. The man was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center and the woman was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center.

No arrests were reported.

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‘Tough number to fathom’: Cubs host Albert Pujols as he approaches home run No. 700

Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols stood in center field surrounded by a trio of younger Cubs players: Christopher Morel, Nelson Velazquez and Franmil Reyes.

”He’s one of the best guys in the Dominican [Republic],” Morel, a fellow Dominican ballplayer, told the Sun-Times of their pregame conversation this week. ”Having the time to say hi, for me, is super-special.”

Pujols’ farewell tour and quest for 700 career home runs converged this week at Wrigley Field during a five-game series between the Cubs and Cardinals. He logged homer No. 693 in the series opener Monday.

In the midst of the home-run countdown and Pujols’ final trip to Wrigley as a player, his influence over the course of a 22-year career was also on display. Take his warm greeting of the Cubs’ Zach McKinstry, a short-time teammate with the Dodgers, on second base Tuesday as another example.

Said Cubs outfielder Rafael Ortega, who overlapped with Pujols on the Angels in 2016: ”When you said ‘Pujols’ to me, it’s unbelievable. His career, as a person, as a player, everything, Pujols has been an example for all the Latin players.”

Outfielder Ian Happ witnessed Pujols’ gravitational pull firsthand as he held court during the Home Run Derby this year — Happ was serving as Kyle Schwarber’s ”towel guy” in the event — and in a pregame talk before the All-Star Game the next day.

”It was awesome to see how much fun he was having,” Happ said. ”And for a guy who has accomplished so much in the game and been around so much, played with so many guys, it seemed like he was really humbled by . . . experiencing that. It felt like he was enjoying every second.”

It didn’t seem to matter that Pujols, an 11-time All-Star, had soaked in plenty of such moments before.

”I think that’s the most important thing I learned from him: how he loved the game,” Ortega said. ”Because it’s a hard game, and you’re going to have some bad times. But to have [success], you have to love what you do. And if you love what you do, your bad times are going to be fewer than your happiest.”

As the last season of his career winds down, Pujols is playing as well as anyone — literally. He won co-National League Player of the Week honors last week for going 8-for-13 with three homers and seven RBI.

Then he came to Wigley and delivered the only run of the game Monday. The pitch he hit was a sinker at about eye level, seemingly safely out of the strike zone.

”It’s exactly where I was trying to throw it, maybe a little more in to jam him a bit more,” left-hander Drew Smyly said after the game. ”I was thinking, ‘Just change his eye level and don’t let him hit it.’ ”

Morel was impressed.

”It’s unbelievable,” he said. ”This pitch, off a lefty guy, and he made good contact to left field and homered? That’s why his nickname is ‘The Machine.’ ”

Pujols’ homer Monday was his first against Smyly. With it, he tied Barry Bonds’ record with homers against 449 pitchers.

”He’s Albert Pujols,” Smyly said. ”He’s the GOAT. He’s one of the greatest of all time. And he finally got me.”

Now, with two games left in the series and about six weeks left in the regular season, Pujols is seven homers away from 700. Morel told Pujols on Monday that he hoped he would reach the milestone before retiring.

Happ, who reached 100 career homers Sunday, took a few moments to ponder what that would mean.

”That’s a tough number to fathom,” he said. ”Seven hundred? Whew.”

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White Sox out-hit Orioles 11-5 but lose for fifth time in six games

BALTIMORE, Md. — Eloy Jimenez hit a home run in the first inning.

Yes, a home run! It was worth the exclamation point, it being the Sox’ second homer since Yoan Moncada’s meaningless blast when the Astros routed the Sox by 16 runs last Thursday.

But then the Orioles’ Ryan Mountcastle topped Jimenez’ two-run shot to right-center field by hitting a three-run homer to center field in the first against Dylan Cease, who hadn’t given up a multi-run homer since May.

After that, Cease resorted to his usual Cy Young contending form in a 5-3 Sox loss, facing the minimum 14 batters in a row into the sixth, when a leadoff walk in the sixth to Cedric Mullins, an errant pickoff attempt by Cease and a soft RBI single by Anthony Santander made it 4-2.

And the Sox resorted to their usual maddening form of late, leaving 13 runners on base and going 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position in the first eight innings.

Jimenez would exit the game after taking a 102-mph fastball from closer Felix Bautista off his left elbow bad, which loaded the bases for Jose Abreu. Bautista, going for a five-out save, struck out Abreu with a full count on a 100-mph fastball above the strike zone.

Of course he did. It was that kind of night of futility for the Sox, who out-hit the Orioles 11-5 but lost for the fifth time in six games.

Entering the game, the Sox’ .277 average was second in the majors. They were eighth with runners in scoring position (.264).

The resulte momentarily dropped the Sox to 3 1/2 games behind the AL Central leading Guardians, who played the Padres in a late game in San Diego.

The Sox had the leadoff hitter on base against Orioles righty Austin Voth in the second, fourth and fifth innings and had two on with one out in the third and did not score. Luis Robert, who had three hits to extend his hitting streak to 13 games, led off the fifth and seventh with doubles and finally scored on Andrew Vaughn’s two-out pinch single in the seventh.

Cease, pitching on six days rest and possibly showing rust from the long layoff caused by Sunday’s rainout in Cleveland and the decision to keep Michael Kopech in rotation Monday, threw 27 pitches in the first, and only 13 were strikes. His fastball command wasn’t sharp, and he hung a slider to Mountcastle.

After that, Cease (2.27 ERA) was fine, but he logged just 5 1/3 innings on 93 pitches, allowing four runs (three earned) on three hits and three walks with four strikeouts. Cease entered with an 8-3 record and 0.93 ERA in his last 15 starts.

The Sox fell to 14-26 in the first game of a series.

This and that

The Sunday postponed game against the Guardians in Cleveland has been rescheduled for Sept. 15 at 12:10 p.m. Chicago time.

*Leury Garcia, on the injured list with back and hip soreness, is working at full speed, he said, and expects to be activated when he’s eligible Saturday.

*Yasmani Grandal (knee) is walking around at a brisk pace and doing some baseball activities and “should be ready” when is eligible to come off the IL next Wednesday, La Russa said.

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Northwestern, Pat Fitzgerald making room for more than just football in Dublin

Four words we’ve all heard put together so many times in sports, they’ve ceased to have any impact or meaning:

“It’s a business trip.”

That’s how Northwestern’s football team is describing a visit to Ireland to play Nebraska in the College Football Classic at Dublin’s 51,700-seat Aviva Stadium. In a related and utterly unsurprising development, that’s how Nebraska’s team is describing its trip, too.

Then again, you’d better mean business when you’re coming off a demoralizing 3-9 season, as both the Wildcats and the Huskers are.

But we can talk closer to Saturday’s “Week 0” opener about the X’s and O’s, the buttonhooks and slobberknockers, the reasons why one 47-year-old coach — the Wildcats’ Pat Fitzgerald or the Huskers’ Scott Frost — will come home 1-0 while the other goes back to the drawing board. The business at hand, if you will.

In the meantime, let’s talk about something else: Northwestern’s Dublin itinerary. Truth be told, there’s plenty of pleasure built into it — more than some of the college game’s tightly wound, winning-is-everything coaches would allow — and that’s a very nice, healthy thing. These gladiators of the gridiron also happen to be students, after all, and an “overwhelming majority” of them are, according to Fitzgerald, traveling out of the country for the first time. Their minds ought to be encouraged to wander beyond the confines of a locker room and a painted field.

“This is something unique,” Fitzgerald said. “We want them to experience it and enjoy being in a foreign country, meeting new people, building relationships, experiencing a new culture and just soaking it all in.”

There are college coaches so self-obsessed, their ideal itinerary for an international game would involve a plane, a few buses, a hotel, a stadium and maybe, if time allowed, a demand for a pay raise. That’s it, that’s all, now let’s get the heck back to campus and get to work on whoever’s next.

But Northwestern’s players will have enough experiences to pack a thick, delicious Irish stew. They’ll cap Wednesday, their first full day in Dublin, by taking in a show. On Thursday, they’ll see sights on a double-decker bus and dine at the famed Guinness Storehouse. After Saturday’s game, they’ll get busy relaxing and staying awhile. Look around the city some more? By all means, do. The return flight isn’t until Monday.

“Hopefully, after we find a way to win, there will be a great celebration,” Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald has been sky-high on this trip since the spring, when he and wife Stacy were brought to Dublin by game organizers for a look-see. While there, Fitzgerald, whose paternal grandparents emigrated from Ireland to the U.S., connected with a cousin, got to see where his grandmother was baptized and went to church and school, and was deeply moved by the experience.

“It was a very emotional time,” he said.

Fitzgerald expects about 40 members of his Chicagoland family to be at the game, along with 10 to 15 relatives who live in Ireland. That doesn’t include the friends — some of them former Northwestern teammates — who got to Dublin ahead of the team and have been texting the coach photos of them bellied up to bars and holding luscious pints of beer.

You see, folks, there’s more to life than football — although that most definitely will not be the case on Sunday night in Dublin, which is six hours ahead of Chicago. Beginning at noon our time, Fitzgerald will be glued to a television as Loyola Academy takes on Cincinnati powerhouse St. Xavier on ESPN from Hoerster Field in Wilmette. Son Jack, a Northwestern commit, is a senior tight end for the Ramblers.

“I’ll be in my room watching that game and fired up,” Fitzgerald said.

Dublin hasn’t hosted a major college football game since 2016, when Boston College tangled with Georgia Tech. Notre Dame was supposed to face Navy at Aviva Stadium in 2020, but the coronavirus pandemic made that impossible. Nebraska and Illinois were scheduled to play at Aviva in 2021, but the pandemic scuttled that, too.

So, this meeting of the Wildcats and Huskers is, in a sense, a long time coming. Win or lose, it’ll be worth it and getting down to business will be a pleasure.

“Nothing compares to this,” Fitzgerald said. “The chance to take our program, the Big Ten Conference, Nebraska on the international stage, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We’re really excited about this.”

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Northwestern, Pat Fitzgerald making room for more than just football in Dublin

Four words we’ve all heard put together so many times in sports, they’ve ceased to have any impact or meaning:

“It’s a business trip.”

That’s how Northwestern’s football team is describing a visit to Ireland to play Nebraska in the College Football Classic at Dublin’s 51,700-seat Aviva Stadium. In a related and utterly unsurprising development, that’s how Nebraska’s team is describing its trip, too.

Then again, you’d better mean business when you’re coming off a demoralizing 3-9 season, as both the Wildcats and the Huskers are.

But we can talk closer to Saturday’s “Week 0” opener about the X’s and O’s, the buttonhooks and slobberknockers, the reasons why one 47-year-old coach — the Wildcats’ Pat Fitzgerald or the Huskers’ Scott Frost — will come home 1-0 while the other goes back to the drawing board. The business at hand, if you will.

In the meantime, let’s talk about something else: Northwestern’s Dublin itinerary. Truth be told, there’s plenty of pleasure built into it — more than some of the college game’s tightly wound, winning-is-everything coaches would allow — and that’s a very nice, healthy thing. These gladiators of the gridiron also happen to be students, after all, and an “overwhelming majority” of them are, according to Fitzgerald, traveling out of the country for the first time. Their minds ought to be encouraged to wander beyond the confines of a locker room and a painted field.

“This is something unique,” Fitzgerald said. “We want them to experience it and enjoy being in a foreign country, meeting new people, building relationships, experiencing a new culture and just soaking it all in.”

There are college coaches so self-obsessed, their ideal itinerary for an international game would involve a plane, a few buses, a hotel, a stadium and maybe, if time allowed, a demand for a pay raise. That’s it, that’s all, now let’s get the heck back to campus and get to work on whoever’s next.

But Northwestern’s players will have enough experiences to pack a thick, delicious Irish stew. They’ll cap Wednesday, their first full day in Dublin, by taking in a show. On Thursday, they’ll see sights on a double-decker bus and dine at the famed Guinness Storehouse. After Saturday’s game, they’ll get busy relaxing and staying awhile. Look around the city some more? By all means, do. The return flight isn’t until Monday.

“Hopefully, after we find a way to win, there will be a great celebration,” Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald has been sky-high on this trip since the spring, when he and wife Stacy were brought to Dublin by game organizers for a look-see. While there, Fitzgerald, whose paternal grandparents emigrated from Ireland to the U.S., connected with a cousin, got to see where his grandmother was baptized and went to church and school, and was deeply moved by the experience.

“It was a very emotional time,” he said.

Fitzgerald expects about 40 members of his Chicagoland family to be at the game, along with 10 to 15 relatives who live in Ireland. That doesn’t include the friends — some of them former Northwestern teammates — who got to Dublin ahead of the team and have been texting the coach photos of them bellied up to bars and holding luscious pints of beer.

You see, folks, there’s more to life than football — although that most definitely will not be the case on Sunday night in Dublin, which is six hours ahead of Chicago. Beginning at noon our time, Fitzgerald will be glued to a television as Loyola Academy takes on Cincinnati powerhouse St. Xavier on ESPN from Hoerster Field in Wilmette. Son Jack, a Northwestern commit, is a senior tight end for the Ramblers.

“I’ll be in my room watching that game and fired up,” Fitzgerald said.

Dublin hasn’t hosted a major college football game since 2016, when Boston College tangled with Georgia Tech. Notre Dame was supposed to face Navy at Aviva Stadium in 2020, but the coronavirus pandemic made that impossible. Nebraska and Illinois were scheduled to play at Aviva in 2021, but the pandemic scuttled that, too.

So, this meeting of the Wildcats and Huskers is, in a sense, a long time coming. Win or lose, it’ll be worth it and getting down to business will be a pleasure.

“Nothing compares to this,” Fitzgerald said. “The chance to take our program, the Big Ten Conference, Nebraska on the international stage, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We’re really excited about this.”

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Chicago Cubs make four roster moves

The Cubs have announced four roster moves ahead of Tuesday’s double-header against the St. Louis Cardinals

The Chicago Cubs have made a few changes to their roster today, selecting right-handed pitcher Javier Assad, and optioned right-handed pitcher Kevin Castro to Iowa. Also, right-handed pitcher Nicholas Padilla has been selected from Iowa. This means that Assad and Padilla have been removed from the active 26 player roster, but will remain on the 40 player roster. In order to make room on the 40-player roster, outfielder Jason Hayward has also been transferred to the 60-day injured list, according to Cubs HQ.

Assad has been assigned uniform number 72, and is set to make his major league debut in the first game of today’s doubleheader. Padilla is assigned uniform number 58 and is also set to make his major r league debut today.

Assad, 25, was signed out of Baja, California by the Cubs as an international free agent in July of 2015. He was named a Midwest League mid-season All-Star in 2018 and a Carolina League mid-Season All-Star in 2019.

Padilla, 25, has a 1.69 ERA with a .167 opponent batting average, and a .279 opponent OBP in seven outings. Padilla played for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2015 before the Cubs claimed him off waivers in the Triple-A phase of the 2020 Rule 5 Draft. Over six minor league seasons, Padilla has allowed nine home runs in 991 batters faced, walked 87, and struck out 236.

Assad will likely be in line for a spot start before returning to Iowa, though if he fares better than expected he could change the Cubs’ current plans for him.

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Poll: Arlington Heights residents support Bears move, oppose taxes

According a recent poll, more than two-thirds of residents in Arlington Heights say that the Bears should not collect taxpayer money if they decide to move from Soldier Field

A new poll released by the Illinois chapter of Americans for Prosperity revealed that Arlington Heights voters support a new Bears stadium in their area, but oppose financing the project with taxes. According to the Chicago Sun Times, the poll shows 72% of Arlington Heights voters approved of the Bears’ plans to build a stadium in Arlington heights, compared to just 18% who opposed the proposal. The survey also revealed that 68% of voters disapproved of the project being funded by taxpayer dollars, compared to 22% who supported funding with taxes. 

Earlier this month, Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes said in a media press release that he is opposed to this ordinance that American for Prosperity is supporting, saying that it is not something in the town’s best interest. Head of the Illinois chapter of the advocacy group, Brian Costin, said in a public statement “Our organization supports the Chicago Bears moving to Arlington Heights. But we are against using taxpayer handouts or subsidies to lure business to the community.”

The poll also included questions about other economic strategies in Arlington Heights, and concerns about the impact of a potential NFL stadium nearby. When asked about traffic impacts from a potential stadium, 47.8% responded that they are concerned about it and 47.5% said they are not. When asked about the potential impact on public services, such as public transport, police, and fire, 37% said they are concerned about an impact and 55% said they are not.

Since the beginning of last fall, the Bears have been exploring the idea of building a new state-of-the-art stadium on the current racetrack in Arlington Park. The team announced that it had reached an approximate agreement of $197.2 million to buy the racetrack from current owner Churchill Downs. While awaiting approval for this agreement in the meantime, the Bears have hired architects, land planners, and financial consultants to draw up plans for the prospective stadium despite pushback to keep the team at Soldier Field.

For More Great Chicago Sports Content

Follow us on Twitter at @chicitysports23 for more great content. We appreciate you taking time to read our articles. To interact more with our community and keep up to date on the latest in Chicago sports news, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP by CLICKING HERE

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‘Monster’ players return for Chicago Bears catapults defense

Roquan Smith is back at it in drills and 11-on-11 segments for the Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears defense will need its defense to play exceptionally well for the team to be competitive this season. Their best player, linebacker Roquan Smith, can help the defense play at that level. According to multiple reports, his presence on the field during Tuesday’s practice energized the defense.

Smith made a huge tackle for loss early on in drills that excited the defense.

On the first play of Bears team drills, Roquan Smith shot the gap and stuffed a run play. The entire defensive sideline went bananas, and someone shouted, “He’s back!”

— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) August 23, 2022

The momentum Smith brought would last through the practice. The defense continued to frustrate the offense. Quarterback Justin Fields had a pair of interceptions.

-On back to back plays during team, Kyler Gordon had a ‘sack’ on a blitz, grabbed an INT off a tipped ball by a WR. Offense went 3 and out this series and did sideline sprints immediately after.
-Jaylon Johnson also had an INT off a tipped ball.

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) August 23, 2022

Liked what I saw out of Trevis Gipson too. Flat out dominated a one-on-one rep in OL/DL drills that had the defense really excited. #Bears

— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) August 23, 2022

Overall, I feel like the Bears defense had the edge Tuesday. On a day where the HITS principle was talked about a LOT by players and defensive assistants, it was certainly displayed in practice.

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) August 23, 2022

Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson is undoubtedly happy to have Smith back. He called Smith a “monster” in his press conference Tuesday.

Bears CB Jaylon Johnson on Roquan Smith: “Everybody has a sense of confidence, a different sense of confidence when he’s out there … I mean, he’s a monster. But just the leadership and the IQ that he brings to the defense is definitely a big jump.”

— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) August 23, 2022

The Chicago Bears offense needs more reps

Head coach Matt Eberflus told reporters Tuesday the Bears plan to play the starters for most of the first half in their third and final preseason game Saturday against the Cleveland Browns. The consensus from reporters at Tuesday’s practice was that the offense needs more playing time.

From what I saw out there today, not a great day for the offense. They probably need these reps Saturday night. Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon both had INTs on deflected passes from Justin Fields. #Bears

— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) August 23, 2022

Many preseason reports from training camp and practice have been pessimistic about the offense. The offense needs to start having more good days.

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Work from home, work on your home, and more

Does your work from home soundtrack need a refresh? Patrixia, our latest Chicagoan of Note, is a DJ who dominates the digital club space. She’s so good at getting the digital party started that it’s how she makes a living. Part of that comes from hosting free DJ sets on Twitch three times a week, and today you can catch her spinning from noon-3 PM. If you like what you hear, tune in again Wednesday from 11 AM-2 PM or Friday from 8-11 PM. Maybe even . . . subscribe? (MC)

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Join Auntie’s Coffee, SunPhillage, and Heartthrob Productions for their annual marketplace and variety show High Tea Chicago, which promises local small business vendors, a dance party, and a focus on the “queer canna-enthused community and their allies.” A portion of proceeds benefits Chicago House and its programs including housing, health, employment services, and specific care to trans people and people living with HIV. Doors and the market open at 3 PM, with the variety show starting at 4:30 PM. It’s all hosted at Bourbon on Division (2050 W. Division) and tickets for entry are available at Eventbrite. Attendees must be 21 or older. (SCJ)

Monday Night Foodball takes over the Kedzie Inn (4100 N. Kedzie) tonight with a special menu of “Fast Food Favorites” courtesy of Taylor Hanna and Sebastian Vargo of Vargo Brother Ferments. Go to Tock to preorder items like Hanna and Vargo’s RibWich (a pork sandwich with pickles, onion, and smokey sauce on a bun from Loaf Lounge), in the spirit of the McRib, and a chopped salad that takes its inspiration from Portillo’s version. A limited amount of walk-in food will be available for purchase, starting at 5 PM. (SCJ)

New homeowner of an older home? In case you don’t have the innate skills of, say, Norm from This Old House, you may want to look for advice about doing things like getting your electrical system up to date. Enter the Chicago Bungalow Association, who offers free resources to people who own all kinds of Chicago palaces (energy efficiency is not just for bungalows). Today’s free 6 PM webinar, “Repairing and Updating Your Old Wiring” is led by experts Butch Holst and Tom Hoyne, and includes a demo on how to replace a light dimmer or switch. Is it simple enough to DIY or do you need to call an electrician? Ask Butch and Tom! Register for Zoom access at the Chicago Bungalow Association website. (SCJ)

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16 Best Hookup Sites and Apps for Adult Dating in 2022

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 apps for casual encounters 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.

Best 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 FriendFinder – Best overall hookup site

Adult FriendFinder is the oldest and most popular hookup site. As its name suggests, it’s primarily interested in helping adults make, *ahem*, adult friends.

It caters to swinging, non-monogamous relationships, threesomes, and experimental arrangements. 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’ll find someone looking for the same thing.

Once you create a profile on Adult FriendFinder, you can customize your search to narrow down people interested in the same arrangement as you.

Adult FriendFinder has bonus additional content such as webcam shows and erotic stories. So if you need a little warming up before connecting with someone, you’re covered.

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 totalThree-month membership: $26.95/monthOne-year membership: $19.95/month

Need a little more info before taking the plunge? Check out our in-depth Adult FriendFinder review.

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/monthOne-month membership: $39.95 totalThree-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/dayOne-month membership: $27.01 totalThree-month membership: $15.15/monthSix-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/creditClassic Plan: 500 credits at $0.34/creditElite 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 freeOne-month membership: $89.95/monthThree-month membership: $79.95/monthDiamond 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 totalSix-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 totalThree-month membership: $20.99 totalSix-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 casual 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 totalThree-month membership: $19.98/monthSix-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 totalThree-month membership: $9.80/monthOne-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 has 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 swipesOne month: $9.99 total if you are under 30One 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 totalOne month: $29.99 total

14.  Feeld

Feeld is a hookup app for couples and singles to explore their kinks and desires in a no-judgement atmosphere.

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

PricingOne-month membership: $14.99 totalThree-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

PricingOne-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 safe?

Like any online dating platform, reputable hookup sites have embedded safety features that still require user discretion. It can be dangerous if you don’t take proper safety measures. Generally, these sites and apps regulate safety by banning bots and scammers and have options to report any bad or suspicious 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 completely 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 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.

Q: What is the best LGBTQ+ option?

Though there are a few options, only two rise to the top. HER is the best for women seeking women and Grindr is best for men seeking for men. These two sites also cater to non-binary people.

Final Verdict

If you’re looking for some action tonight, welcome to the world of casual sex sites and apps.

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 is Adult FriendFinder (AFF) followed closely by BuddyBang. AFF 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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