Milwaukee team creates app that allows users to connect and give COVID ratings to bars, restaurants

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- It’s a way to stay connected, and possibly keep safer during COVID.

“bLinkup” is a new mobile app, and its creative team is from Milwaukee.

The app notifies users when one of their contacts is nearby.

That distance can be less than a mile or up to 100 miles away.

“What’s cool about our app is we never show either person’s exact location on the map," bLinkup Founder/CEO Will Bott.

Bott said the app is similar to other location-based services like “Find My Friends” or Uber.

It gives users a proximity based on a distance agreed to by both users.

“You think about Summerfest, Bucks games, coming downtown, out and about in the neighborhoods there’s so much potential for more connection," said Bott.

It also shows nearby bar and restaurants so users can potentially meet.

Minding the pandemic, the app also has a COVID feature where users and their contacts can rate some businesses – 0 to 5 stars – based on how safe they felt.

“One of the things we found is holding people back from getting together in person is a lack of information about where to go. People don’t know the safe places – whether it’s a bar or restaurant that they’d like to go to," said Bott.

Right now, “bLinkup” is only available in the iPhone App Store.

Bott said they are working to release it on Android soon.