Grindr is the infamous hook-up app every gay man has come to love/hate. Over the years its reputation has fluctuated from trashy to convenient, stereotypical to extremely useful. However, one thing remains -- an over-arching stigma that Grindr is solely for hooking-up.

Well, we’re here to help shift that. Here are 9 alternative uses for Grindr that don’t involve hooking-up. 

1. Going Out

Aside from the pop-ups you experience as a non-Xtra user that promote nightly parties in your area (which are actually quite useful when planning a night out), Grindr is also a great way to find a group of friends to tag a long with when travelling in a foreign city.

2. A Place to Stay

Yes, without sex. When traveling abroad in Europe, I would often change my headline to “American Couchsurfer.” A couple grindr users (who eventually became life-long friends) let me into their home for the length of my stay in their city.

3. Friends

Sure, some say they’re looking for friends and we all know what they’re looking for – but there are some sincere people out there.

4. Concierge

Traveling to a city you’re unfamiliar with can be extremely difficult especially if alone or on business. On countless occasions, I’ve looked to Grindr users for recommendations on restaurants, parties, hotels and bars.

5. Roommate Wanted

Yes, still without sex. Grindr has become an excellent way to find roommates especially considering the inherent location-based service it provides. More than a few of my friends have found roommates via the “hook-up” app.

6. Massage

Yep…still no sex. Just relaxation.

7. Therapy

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For people in small conservative towns, Grindr is the only escape a lot of these members of the LGBT+ community have. It’s therapy, it’s a light, it’s helpful for those struggling to see and hear from other people in their community. 

8. Travel Companion

For people who have to travel solo a lot, it can get pretty lonely – it’s awesome to be able to go out to dinner or a movie or sight-seeing with someone. This is also something I’ve personally tapped Grindr for in the past with great success.

9. Husband App

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I wish we could somehow put a number on the amount of long-term, serious relationships that have spawned from Grindr – because I’d put my money on A LOT. It’s exactly like finding a husband in a gay bar – some are there for the right reasons and some aren’t, you just have to find the right one.