Timeleft App Expands into D.C. to Combat Loneliness Through Dining

Timeleft, a new app designed to connect strangers for weekly dinner dates, has launched in the U.S. Originally launched in April – and covered on this very site back in May – the platform has expanded to cover 50 countries across the world, facilitating meetups between lonely people in major urban centers.

Timeleft operates by matching users with dinner partners based on personal preferences and compatibility factors. Users answer questions about their work field, social preferences, dietary restrictions, and more. Dinners are held every Wednesday at 7 p.m. in various neighborhoods such as Capitol Hill, Navy Yard, Dupont Circle, and Shaw.

Participants are paired with five individuals each week. Details about their dining companions are shared only the night before, including their industries and zodiac signs. The restaurant location is revealed on the morning of the event. 

After dinner, participants are invited to a designated bar for a social gathering with other Timeleft users across the city. The intent is to open up multiple avenues to new friendships and increase the chances of new friend groups forming, rather than limiting users to a one-on-one pairing.

Andrea Stambaugh, U.S. Growth Manager at Timeleft, emphasizes the app’s role in combating “big-city loneliness” by fostering new connections through shared dining experiences. The app’s approach has been met with positive feedback, including the creation of a local social network among past participants.

However, there are some challenges. The experience can vary, as seen in a recent instance where one group had an unexpectedly intimate dinner due to no-shows. Timeleft has rapidly grown in scope since its release, and the app has a lot of potential to further expand its operations.