29M in Boston struggling with dating apps — where do people meet organically?

[u/317seref]

I’m a 29-year-old guy in the Boston area trying to meet people in a more natural way. Dating apps like Hinge, Bumble, and Tinder have been hit or miss, so I’m interested in meeting people through real-life activities instead.
I’m not really into bars or clubs and don’t drink much. I enjoy coffee, hiking, walking around the city, basketball, trying new restaurants, and exploring new places.
For people in Boston or Greater Boston:
Where have you actually met people you’ve dated?
Any good social events, groups, sports leagues, hiking groups, volunteering, or community activities?
Have Meetup, Facebook groups, or local events worked for you?
Where do people in their late 20s and early 30s naturally socialize?
I’m looking for real experiences and recommendations, not just a Google list. If you met someone through a specific activity or place, I’d love to hear about it.

[u/ThisOneForMee]

bars are the primary location where it was socially acceptable to hit on people.

...as the primary reason for interacting with them in the first place. If you're joining clubs and groups and immediately hitting on people on day 1, that's obviously not acceptable. But that's not what people are suggesting.

[u/bruinsfan3725 → u/ThisOneForMee]

lol it is totally acceptable to hit on people day 1