Thousands of single folk take part in speed dating every month. There’s very good reason for this of course – It’s a lot of fun and nothing gets you dating like speed dating!
CALLING ALL FLATMATES! [New C4 Documentary]
It’s time to make that reservation, if you haven’t already. And even if you don’t yet have a date, we have a few events at which you will most likely find at least one dining partner before the weekend. So, with this in mind, here is, in no particular order, my top 5 most romantic restaurants for this Valentines week.
To paraphrase Winston Churchill, "Never, in the field of human dating, has so much dating been done, by some many, in so few venues", in this case one.
If you like your cocktails served up with an admirable amount of kitsch and Tom Cruise/Brian Brown shaming flaming then The London Cocktail Club deserves a visit.
Themed bars seem to be enjoying a bit of resurgence lately. Perhaps hipster irony has joined the mainstream and it's now ironic to be ironic about irony… or something.
Fancy a bit of Kulcha in your dating life? Looking to impress with your knowledge of the more intellectual offerings of this fine city? Then let me guide you through my top 5 cultural date venues.
Located sufficiently far from the main Islington drag to be classed as a classy local, The Hanbury Arms is a wonderful addition to any North Londoners hideaway pubs list.
2012 was a tough year for most of us. Crazy weather, financial struggles, companies going bust. If you're single it can be even harder. Which is why people seem to be turning to the more important things in life. Other people.
Ah Valentines Day. One theory has it as a tribute to a martyred saint who performed marriage ceremonies for soldiers (banned from betrothal) and administering to Christians during a particularly brutal period of the Roman Empire.
Valentines Night 2013 Double Speed Dating and After Party Thursday February 14, 2013 @ The Exhibit, Balham
There's no doubt that online dating is popular these days, but I think it's fair to say it does have some drawbacks. Let's examine them.
Oh London. London, London, London. Songs have been written about you, poems penned and odes um… oded. Some celebrate your majesty, others your darker side, but whatever is to be said about London it's certainly unique.
Online Dating might seem like the obvious thing to do if you are single and looking to start a relationship. There's 1000's of members near you and they are all single and looking too. Great idea right? Err, no.
We're justifiably famed for our Original Dating lock and key parties and we've been described by more than one reciewer as the best lock and key hosts in London. 150-300 singles split equally guys/girls, amazing venues, great band and a full on night of flirting and fun. They're raucous yet relaxed fun that run late into the night and the number of matches we get is quite is extraordinary.
As organisers we know all about the practicalities of running great speed dating in London but success at speed dating (as in getting the girl or guy) is really down to those taking part. This video attempts to explain some of the psychology behind why some people succeed during speed dating encounters and others fail. If you're about to take part in one of our speed dating events it certainly makes for interesting viewing!
"It's Christmas time, there's no need to be afraid, at Christmas time, we let in light and we banish shade"
I can't stand New Year's resolutions. Other peoples that is. Self-reflection is the key to progression but all New Year's resolutions seem to be are affirmations that somehow, with the chime of midnight, your previous self will somehow be irrevocably altered. Start at the beginning I say. Instead of "I will lose weight" it should be "Why did I let myself get so fat?"; "I'll work harder" should be "Why was I so lazy all year?"; and "I will meet someone" should be "why am I single?"
Successful events, like beauty, are apparently in the eye of the beholder. And yet, like beauty we can all go some way to making that eye spy in a more favourable way. And like beauty there are some base measures by which we can judge the relative success of an event.
I have a confession. The first time I ever hosted one of our lock and key parties I was less than looking forward to it. Saturday afternoon boat party, beach party theme, 250 singles, Lock & Key. In my naïve world I could think of nothing more cheesy or sad.
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.