What is it?

The UKs largest dating event held around the UK monthly in 8 cities. All the elements of dating (speed dating, online dating, dating agencies) are combined in one night. Chemistry has recently been bought by DatingDirect.com

How does it work?

You buy your tickets in advance and then gain access to the online dating section of Chemistry's website. The idea being you can talk to potential dates online before arranging to meet them on the night. This part of Chemistry has come on in leaps and bounds since I first used it, originally you couldn't even have a photo, although weirdly they still insist you fill out a pointless multiple choice section to help match you to people, as if choosing between 'St Moritz' or 'St Tropez' will help you!?

On the night, its up to you how many things you get involved with, but potentially you can speed date, hand out your 'flirt cards' with your phone number or email on, have your polaroid taken to add to the collection of snapshots on the encounters wall (see below), try out 'My Mate Fancies You', learn Ceroc (like Salsa but better!) and pick up dating tips in Ben Renshaw's Chemistry lab!

Who does it attract?

Chemistry claims to be 'designed specifically for the attractive, articulate, confident and eligible', but frankly that's just wishful thinking, they'll take your money whoever you are... and they know it! Chemistry attracts everyone, so just like a Friday night in a bar, you have to work to find the good ones.

What's different about it?

Chemistry is really well organised and they've really cornered the market for this type of dating event. Its great fun and pretty relaxed. A great way to dip your toe into the water of the urban dating scene.

What does it cost?

£45 for London events. Smaller regional events cost from £10. (Click on the banner at the bottom of the page to purchase)

What makes it special?

I love the wall of photos.(see left) It gives you a great point to keep coming back to during the night and if your friends disappear for a moment you can kill time there without looking like Billy No Mates. My friends and I had great fun coming back and counting who had the most cards at various points in the night. The Chemistry calling cards they give you to leave by photos of people you fancy are really nicely designed too. This is one part of the event that's unique and that they've done really well.

Once you've been once, you also have permanent access to the online dating facility, which makes it pretty good value for money!

What's the down side?

Two bad things happened to me at Chemistry. Firstly I was left standing alone waiting for a friend. Standing alone, if you aren't careful equates to being 'up for it'. I was approached by a weasely looking man who peddled out his one chat up line of the night "I went to the Desperate & Dateless ball last year, I like to think of myself as more the former and less the latter...errr I mean more the latter and less the former...ha, ha, ha, ha, ha". I actually nearly threw myself at a passing man ("Bill! Hi! Remember me!") to try and escape him, but my friend turned up just in time.

The second bad thing that happened was speed dating. I turned up at my assigned time and stood waiting in the queue, after a quick look at the men in the line, I realised I was significantly taller than all of them (I'm only 5'8"!) and decided to try my chances elsewhere!

Any tricks I need to know?

It's really hard to do, but if you are with friends, try and split up, you'll won't meet anyone if you are hanging around as a gang (or worse still hanging around with a platonic male friend!)

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Want to try it?

Click on the banner below and it will take you straight to CHEMISTRY'S WEBSITE where you can find out more and buy tickets...

Find out details of the next Chemistry event.
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