> Dating websites were the less exhausting alternative to going out drinking or finding new social circles

The per-event odds of finding love by going out drinking and joining new social circles are low. But the odds of making some great memories and good friends in the process are pretty high*. At least better compared to the alternative of sitting at home and swiping on an app.

* There's an entire TV show based on this premise. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_I_Met_Your_Mother