Community Guidelines

Last updated: October 25, 2026

BarMatch exists to help adults connect at real bars and restaurants. These guidelines spell out what we expect from everyone using the app.

Be real

  • Be honest about who you are. At signup you self-attest your first name, last name, date of birth, and gender, and you confirm you're 21 or older. Providing false information may result in permanent suspension.
  • For the Match Game (browsing, liking, and matching) — and for drinks, event tickets, and VIP reservations — you also need a one-time identity verification through our partner Persona (free during the launch period; later it comes at no charge with a one-time $1.99 purchase of three chat refreshments, never a subscription). Verified profiles show a green check (“eye” glyph) so others can see at a glance who has completed the step. Deals and Friends never require verification. BarMatch does not conduct criminal background screenings of its members.
  • Use photos of yourself. No celebrities, no group shots where it's unclear which person you are, no copy-pasted photos from the internet. Your profile photos must genuinely depict you — no catfishing. Photos are automatically face-matched against your verified selfie; a photo that doesn't match you is hidden from public view until you replace it with one that does.

Be respectful

  • Harassment of any kind is not tolerated. We track reports across the rolling 12 months and escalate suspensions accordingly.
  • No sexually explicit messages or photos, ever. Image moderation is automated; flagged content is reviewed by humans.
  • There is zero tolerance for any content that sexually exploits or endangers a minor. Such content is removed, the account is permanently banned, and it is reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) and law enforcement.
  • No hateful content directed at someone's race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin.
  • Don't impersonate other people, businesses, or BarMatch staff.

Be safe

  • Verifying an ID confirms who someone is and that they're 21 or older, not how they'll behave.
  • Meet in public. BarMatch is built around the bar context — keep first meetups there.
  • Before you meet someone, a Vibe Check asks friends you have in common for their read on them.
  • Trust your instincts. Block, report, and leave.
  • Read all our safety tips at barmatch.com/safety.

Reporting and consequences

Every report is reviewed. Confirmed violations result in: a 2-week suspension on first instance, a 3-month suspension on second, and an indefinite suspension on third within any rolling 12-month window. Serious offenses (threats, illegal content) can result in immediate permanent suspension and referral to law enforcement.

Contact

Report concerns inside the app or email support@barmatch.com.