One of the most significant revelations I’ve had regarding speed dating in London occurred about a month ago. For me, speed dating is less about meeting the ‘one’ than it is about meeting a whole bunch of like minded singles, having a chat and enjoying a genuinely fun night. And it certainly beats going down to the Dog & Desperate with the same mates talking about the same things and waking up with the same hangover AGAIN.
Wednesday Speed Dating in London has become a step classier as we welcome our new venue, Eclipse, in Kensington. Wednesday's are traditionally a more relaxed speed dating experience and this hang out for the occasional chilled celebrity and wealthy local certainly holds this vibe close to its heart.
It's an oft cited legend within the dating world that if you want to find a Saturday that will remain dry, find out when the next Original Dating Boat Party is.
Regular readers of this blog will know that I hold a particular distrust for online dating. It's not that I think it's a bad idea, it's just that the way most sites are constructed mean you're unlikely to avoid a plethora of spam messages, fake profiles and bots trawling the site collecting your email address so they can helpfully offer you sex enhancement pills, PPI claims and the occasional Nigerian money laundering opportunity.
So, a recently published report has found that couples that meet online enjoy longer lasting marriages. Apparently this is due to the time it takes to meet someone and the amount of information you find out about each other before doing so.
I'm often asked why we, as Original Dating, don't court appearances on TV. The greater dating world is, after all, mad for it.
The perception of speed dating has changed significantly in the last 10 years or so. No longer seen as the preserve of the desperate and dateless, it has become a normal – dare I say fashionable – way to meet like minded individuals, even if it is just for fun evening out.
The dating industry is worth billions and some have got very, very rich indeed off the back of one of our greatest fears: remaining alone. There are literally thousands of books dedicated to teaching people how to 'pick up' - The little tricks and tactics to make you absolutely irresistible to all but the deceased.
As the Summer creeps up on us like some naughty school boy that didn't come home for dinner when called, it's time to embrace the best of London in the sun.
Notwithstanding the vagaries of British weather, it's that time of year to dust off the sun cream, smile in the face of sunburn and seek out some of the best spots in London to watch the city come alive from above. London's skyline is amazing and so enjoying a drink with a view is always a pleasure. The trouble with rooftop bars is just that. They're on a rooftop so not always easy to spot from ground level. Worry no more as we've done all the searching for you.
We came across this rather funny infographic about how guys might go about picking up girls using special pick-up techniques. You never know this might work but we'd always recomend being yourself. Enjoy.
When people find out I do speed dating I’m generally asked two specific questions: What sort of people go? And which events are the best?
I’m going to make a prediction. The weather is going to get much better. Okay this may be as vague as a professional psychics claims and appear overly optimistic but we could all do with a bit more optimism.
We’ve looked at almost every aspect of dating in this blog. How to woo with words; most romantic restaurants; top date locations; worst dating lines… But what we haven’t done is focus on one of the main businesses of the venues we run events in. Drink.
The Dating World has changed, not least because of the influence of technology. Yet chivalry and manners still operate in the same way and can make the difference between a wonderful second and third date or a polite thanks but no thanks.
Ah Easter. A peculiar time of year. Depending on your belief system, it’s either a time for mourning, a time for celebrating, or simply time off work.
The history of Easter is somewhat mired in controversy. These days it is predominantly a traditional Christian festival marking the anniversary of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. But does it stem from a pagan festival celebrating the Goddess Oestre – goddess of growth and rebirth, or the Jewish Pesach, or a combination of many different beliefs?
Thousands of single folk take part in speed dating every month. There’s a very good reason of course – It’s a lot of fun and it's a great way of meeting people fast.
We've teamed up with the producers of Wolfgang Weinbergers Sex Guru, The sexological Comedy Show to offer one lucky winner two free tickets to see this hillarious comedy playing at The Leicester Square Theatre!
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.
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.
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!
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.