What is it?

Speed dating in every shape, size, colour and religion! Speed dater has rapidly carved themselves a niche in the market as the UK (and possibly soon the world's!) best speed dating company.

SpeedDater run events in every major city at least once a fortnight.

How does it work?

When you get to the bar, you get your name checked off on a list and then you are given a badge with a number on it. The girls (usually) are then assigned a table, which they stay at all night. Guys start off with their corresponding number (eg guy number 1 at table number 1, with girl number 1) and then move along the line.

Each date lasts 3 minutes, then a bell is rung and the guys move on. At the end of the night you take your card home and log on to the Speed Dater site the next morning to input your ticks. You can choose between 'yes', 'no' or 'friend'. It's still a 'friendship match' if you tick yes and your date ticks friendship. (or vice versa!)

People are 'checked in' in the order that they turn up at the venue, which means that even if you don't book with a friend you are allowed to sit next to them!

SpeedDater guarantee that if you don't meet anyone you want to see again (i.e. you don't tick anyone) you can come back again for free!

Who does it attract?

Everyone, but as with so many of these dating things, there seems to be a special bias towards media professionals, men who work in IT and nurses and teachers

What's different about it?

If you are looking for niche speed dating these guys do everything! Jewish, Christian, Antipodean, Media/Creative, Sport and Fitness, Asian, Sikh even 'Elite' events for professionals with incomes over £50K.

SpeedDater have branched out recently into online dating, lock and key parties and singles holidays and they hold more events in more cities than any other speed dating comapny.

What does it cost?

Prices vary between £18 and £25 dependent upon location. Elite events cost £50.

What makes it special?

Speed Dater is hugely popular (nights in London quite commonly attract 100 people) so there is no concern about not meeting enough men on the night and they also run events nationwide. Due to the sheer number of people attending the environment is quite relaxed, so it's great for those who are new to speed dating.

I also really like being able to take your scorecards home. So often you walk out of speed dating wishing you had ticked (or not ticked) different people. Having a night to think it over is rather handy! If you want to try speed dating, try this. It's great fun. Highly recommended

What's the down side?

You can expect to meet at least 20 dates on an evening with Speed Dater and it is exhausting. You'll find by the end, your jaw hurts, your head's spinning and your tummy rumbling, but it's fantastic fun. Because it's not screened in any way, you'll also spend a significant amount of the night making small talk to guys you don't fancy. On the night I went of the 20 men I met, 15 were not my type, 1 was absolutely awful, 3 were perfectly pleasant and one was worth seeing again.

Any tricks I need to know?

Halfway through I nipped to the bar and bought some chips, it turned out to be rather a good idea. It was a great ice-breaker, men looked delighted to see me when I offered them food and there was a certain admiration displayed by both sexes at my boldness. "eating chips whilst trying to make a good impression... that girl has balls!"

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