My advice is hold your nose and do the online dating thing. You can try other means of meeting people in addition but I don't think it's wise to throw out dating apps just because everyone hates them. Is it (nearly) impossible to meet potential partners otherwise? That largely depends on your location.

I met my now wife on Hinge two years ago. This isn't an endorsement of Hinge. In fact, Hinge kinda blows. But anecdotally it worked for me.