How did gay hookups/dating worked before apps?

Saw this recent post and it made me incredibly curious on how gays from the 90's and 2000's managed to hookup and find other gay guys, considering you that could/needed to pass as straight because of social pressure and violence against "gay readings/behaviours".

https://www.reddit.com/r/gay/comments/1jatebd/before_grindr_existed/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

I actually can't imagine it, for me apps like Grindr has always being part of this dynamic, except on gay parties and such.

Would you share how did it work and some good/bad experiences?