The dating scene in the Midwest is heating up

• Remote work has led many people to move, particularly from the coasts to cheaper, smaller cities.
• It's introduced a fresh wave of young professionals shaking up the dating scene.
• But a new influx of transplants also creates divides among young professionals and locals.

The Bryant Lake Bowl & Theater in Minneapolis is seeing lots of new faces on Monday nights.

That's when the combination restaurant, bowling alley, and theater runs its cheap-date-night deal: a rotating entrée, two beers or a shared bottle of wine, and a free game of bowling — all for $38 a couple.

The deal has lured in first dates galore, said Peggy Dainty, a manager at Bryant Lake.