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Welcome to Original Dating the home of alternative dating events. Why do you think we're called ORIGINAL, because we're at the forefront of alternative dating events in London, launching world first after first. 

Our alternative dating events are designed to give you an innovative way to meet new people in London - just a little different to our standard speed dating format. We create positive atmosphere with the intention to enhance your dating experience. 

The term 'dating events' can be limiting. If it wasn't so wordy, I would prefer to use 'social events for single people' because that’s exactly what they are. Our fantastic range of alternative dating events ensure you'll meet a lot of single people in one night but more importantly have an incredible night out in the process. 

Our alternative dating events include Dating Against Humanity, Dating Bingo, Ping Pong Dating and Quiz Dating with more arriving this year. Unlike other company's offerings, our events work and are hugely popular! 

Last few places!
Today
Wed 7 JAN

Speed Dating in Cambridge

Wed 7 Jan 2026

The Lab, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

Join around 30 singles at this trendy Cambridge venue for a fun night meeting new people.

Tickets

£20

Age guide

30-45

Male left

Join
waiting list

Female left

3

Find out more
Last few places!
Thu 8 JAN

Speed Dating in Clapham

Thu 8 Jan 2026

Sugar Cane, London, Clapham Junction

You'll typically meet 15-18 people for our popular speed dating event at this cool venue in CJ.

Tickets

£20

Age guide

30-45

Male left

1

Female left

3

Find out more
Last few places!
Thu 8 JAN

Speed Dating in Canterbury

Thu 8 Jan 2026

One Pound Lane, Canterbury, Kent

Canterbury's busiest speed dating event. Join us and meet new people in person.

Tickets

£20

Age guide

30-45

Male left

Join
waiting list

Female left

6

Find out more
Last few places!
Thu 8 JAN

Speed Dating in Edinburgh

Thu 8 Jan 2026

Manahatta EDINBURGH, Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh's best speed dating event at this incredible venue.

Tickets

£20

Age guide

25-38

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Join
waiting list

Female left

5

Find out more
Book now!
Fri 9 JAN

Friday Night Speed Dating

Fri 9 Jan 2026

The Happenstance (Lounge Bar), London, St Pauls

It's our busiest event of the week. 20 dates and no work tomorrow. You just can't beat this event.

Tickets

£20

Age guide

30-45

Male left

6+

Female left

6+

Find out more
Book now!
Fri 9 JAN

Friday Night Speed Dating in Soho - 30s & 40s event

Fri 9 Jan 2026

BrewDog Soho, London, Central London

Kick start your weekend with Friday night speed dating at our brand new venue in the heart of Soh...

Tickets

£22

Age guide

35-48

Male left

6+

Female left

6+

Find out more
Last few places!
Fri 9 JAN

Speed Dating in Chelmsford

Fri 9 Jan 2026

The Courtyard, Chelmsford, Essex

The busiest Speed Dating event in Chelmsford. Meet up to 15 singles in one night!

Tickets

£20

Age guide

30-45

Male left

Join
waiting list

Female left

6+

Find out more
Book now!
Fri 9 JAN

New Year Lock & Key Party - Birmingham

Fri 9 Jan 2026

BOX, Brindley Place, Birmingham

New Year, New you! Join our Singles Party! Up to 80 guests expected! Don't miss out, book now!

Tickets

£25

£20

Age guide

30-45

Male left

3

Female left

6

Find out more
Book now!
Fri 9 JAN

New Year Lock & Key Party - Oxford

Fri 9 Jan 2026

The Varsity Club, Oxford, Oxfordshire

Match & mingle at our Lock & Key Party. The ultimate way to put yourself out there this new year!

Tickets

£25

£20

Age guide

30-45

Male left

2

Female left

7

Find out more
Book now!
Fri 9 JAN

New Year Lock & Key Party - Newcastle

Fri 9 Jan 2026

Manahatta, Newcastle

Don't miss our Lock & Key Singles Party. Up to +80 people expected. Book now!

Tickets

£25

£20

Age guide

30-45

Male left

5

Female left

7

Find out more
Book now!
Fri 9 JAN

New Year Lock & Key Party - York

Fri 9 Jan 2026

Manahatta, York

Don't miss our Lock & Key Singles Party Launch! Up to 80 people expected! Book now!

Tickets

£25

£20

Age guide

30-45

Male left

5

Female left

6

Find out more
Book now!
Fri 9 JAN

New Year Lock & Key Party - Sheffield

Fri 9 Jan 2026

Manahatta, Sheffield

Don't miss our Lock & Key Singles Party Launch! Up to 80 people expected. This is set to be an in...

Tickets

£25

£20

Age guide

30-45

Male left

6

Female left

4

Find out more
Book now!
Fri 9 JAN

New Year Lock & Key Party - Leeds

Fri 9 Jan 2026

Banyan Bar & Kitchen, Leeds

Join us at our Leeds Singles Lock & Key Party. The ultimate way to meet singles this January

Tickets

£25

£20

Age guide

30-45

Male left

6+

Female left

6+

Find out more
Book now!
Fri 9 JAN

New Year Lock & Key Party - Cardiff

Fri 9 Jan 2026

Peppermint Bar, Cardiff, Wales

Get dating in 2026 off to the best start with our New Year Singles party this January!

Tickets

£20

Age guide

30-45

Male left

5

Female left

8

Find out more
Last few places!
Sat 10 JAN

THE NEW YEAR PARTY + PLUS PRE-PARTY SPEED DATING

Sat 10 Jan 2026

The Fable (Top Floor), London, The City

Join us for the New Year Lock & Key Party + Pre-Party Speed Dating. The biggest singles party in ...

Tickets

£36

£31

Age guide

30-45

Male left

1

Female left

3

Find out more
Book now!
Sat 10 JAN

Lesbian Speed Dating

Sat 10 Jan 2026

KOMYUNITI - YOTEL, London, Clerkenwell

Join us for lesbian speed dating and meet around 15 women. Did we mention a free welcome drink?

Tickets

£20

Age guide

25-45

Male left

Join
waiting list

Female left

6+

Find out more
Book now!
Sat 10 JAN

THE NEW YEAR LOCK & KEY PARTY

Sat 10 Jan 2026

The Fable (Top Floor), London, The City

Welcome to the biggest party for single Londoners this New Year. Over 200+ people expected!

Tickets

£30

£25

Age guide

30-45

Male left

10

Female left

14

Find out more
Last few places!
Tue 13 JAN

Gay Speed Dating in Cambridge

Tue 13 Jan 2026

The LAB, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

Brand-new event! Meet about 20 great guys at this lively Cambridge venue.

Tickets

£20

Age guide

25-45

Male left

6+

Female left

Join
waiting list
Find out more
Book now!
Thu 15 JAN

Speed Dating in Islington

Thu 15 Jan 2026

The Brougham, London, Islington

Islington's very one speed dating event at this ace North London venue.

Tickets

£20

Age guide

30-45

Male left

10+

Female left

10+

Find out more
Last few places!
Thu 15 JAN

Speed Dating in St Albans

Thu 15 Jan 2026

The Crown, St Albans, Hertfordshire

This is St Albans' busiest speed date at Hertfordshire's finest bar. Join us to meet up to 30 sin...

Tickets

£20

Age guide

25-38

Male left

Join
waiting list

Female left

4

Find out more

Join the waiting list

 

ORIGINAL DATING IN THE PRESS
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HOW IT WORKS

The beauty of Speed Dating London lies in its no-nonsense approach. You take an equal number of single girls and guys, put them in a room and give them a few minutes to chat with every other member of the opposite sex.

When you get there

Original speed dating events in London normally begin at 7.30pm. You will need to register with our hosts and to begin with they will issue you with a score sheet. This will help you to keep track of the singles that you would like to meet again and perhaps go on a date with. After a short period of mingling, your host for the evening who will run through detailed instructions and give you your starting position if you are a guy or table for the event if you are a girl.

Meet & Mingle

A London speed dating event is split into two halves, each lasting around an hour, there will be an interval at half time of about 15 minutes for speed dating London. You will have between 4 and 5 minutes with each person, after which you need to tick a box on your score sheet - "yes, I would like to meet this person again" or "no. Thanks but no thanks". Or "friend" if you'd like to get to know them platonically. Make sure that you do this after each date to keep track. Afterwards there is an opportunity for everyone to meet and mingle informally - this is often where the real action begins, so make sure you don't disappear too quickly!

Complete your score sheet

After the event you simply tick who you liked on the Original Dating website and the site works about your matches automatically. If the dates you have ticked as a "yes" have reciprocated you have a match. You will be able to view the first names and message them via our site online without revealing your email address until you are ready to. You'll be having proper first dates in no time.

 

And that's it. Simple? Yes. Fun? Most definitely. Great way to meet your perfect match? Without a doubt so book an event now and find out why the dating craze that started a decade ago is still going strong.

BOOK AN EVENT NOW

How about 10% off your next booking?

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