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All You Need to Know About Speed Dating

Speed Dating Blogs 🖊️

All You Need to Know About Speed Dating

That's right — so long as you don't expect any ridiculously long words or perfect spelling, I'll be your singles expert and literary master. Any questions you have about singles nights, I'll do my best to answer in these speed dating blogs.

So grab a chair and put on a cuppa of your favourite chamomile tea, because I, Darcy Todd — the almost university graduate and founder of Speed Dating Social — have written and will keep writing blogs just for you. Please don't share them, or my nightly routine of watching New Girl will be shattered by the dizzying lights of fame.

Apart from my intricate knowledge of ordering an extra side of chips when a girl says "I'm not hungry," this is everything I know, written down about speedy dating.

All You Need to Know About Speed Dating

Speed Dating. Explained Properly.

🤍

That's right — so long as you don't expect any ridiculously long words or perfect spelling, I'll be your singles expert and literary master. Any questions you have about singles nights, I'll do my best to answer in these speed dating blogs.

So grab a chair and put on a cuppa of your favourite chamomile tea, because I, Darcy Todd — the almost university graduate and founder of Speed Dating Social — have written and will keep writing blogs just for you. Please don't share them, or my nightly routine of watching New Girl will be shattered by the dizzying lights of fame.

Apart from my intricate knowledge of ordering an extra side of chips when a girl says "I'm not hungry," this is everything I know, written down about speedy dating.

Read The Blog

Speed dating advice, mistakes to avoid, what to wear, what to say, safety, success rates, and whether people actually meet at events.

How it works

Understand the format before you arrive.

What to say

Know what to ask and what to avoid.

What to wear

Dress well without overthinking it.

What happens next

Matches, follow-ups, and real outcomes.

Speed Dating Blog Posts

Read The Latest Speed Dating Guides

Speed Dating Blog

Is speed dating still a thing?

Spoiler: yes, and it's having more of a moment than your ex's situationship era. If you've been wondering whether speed dating died with flip phones and MySpace, this one's going to be a pleasant surprise.

Read blog →
Speed Dating Blog

How does speed dating work?

Twelve dates, five minutes each, one very good evening — here's exactly what happens from the moment you walk in to the moment you check your matches the next morning. Think of it as Tinder, but the wifi works and nobody ghosts you mid-conversation.

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Speed Dating Blog

Speed Dating Tips

After running 1287+ events across Australia, I've watched what works and what absolutely doesn't — and I've written all of it down so you don't have to learn the hard way. These are the tips that actually move the needle, not the generic "just be yourself" advice your mum gave you.

Read blog →
Speed Dating Blog

Do people go speed dating alone

Yes — and honestly, going solo is probably the better call, because a wingman is great until they're funnier than you. This blog covers exactly why showing up alone might just be your smartest dating decision of the year.

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Speed Dating Blog

What not to do at speed dating

Consider this the field guide I wish someone had handed me before I started running events and witnessed some truly spectacular self-sabotage in five-minute increments. Some of these mistakes are so avoidable it'll make you wince — read this before your first event, not after.

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Speed Dating Blog

Is speed dating for losers?

Hard no — and anyone who still thinks that hasn't met the lawyers, nurses, teachers, and general high-functioning humans who fill our events every single weekend. This blog kills the stigma once and for all, with receipts.

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Speed Dating Blog

What to wear to speed dating

Smart-casual is doing a lot of heavy lifting in the world of speed dating, and this blog breaks down exactly what that means for men and women without the vague non-advice of "just dress to impress." You've got five minutes per date — your outfit is working whether you want it to or not.

Read blog →
Speed Dating Blog

Best speed dating questions

"What do you do?" is the most boring opener in existence and you can do so much better — this blog has the questions that actually reveal whether someone is worth a second conversation. Five minutes is short, but the right question makes it feel like an hour.

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Speed Dating Blog

How to host and organise a speed dating event

From venue selection and ratio management to the matching app and the inevitable no-show math, this is everything I've learned from organising hundreds of events across Australia. Whether you're thinking about running your own night or just curious how the sausage gets made, this one's genuinely useful.

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Speed Dating Blog

What are the rules of speed dating

There are more rules than you'd think, and most of them exist because someone, somewhere, made it necessary for them to be written down. This blog covers the format rules, the social rules, and the unwritten ones that separate a great night from an awkward one.

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Speed Dating Blog

Do people actually meet at speed dating

Yes — 57,915 introductions and counting says so, but this blog goes deeper than the numbers and looks at what actually happens when two people click across a speed dating table. Real connections, real stories, and the honest answer to the question everyone's quietly asking before they book.

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Speed Dating Blog

How successful is speed dating

Success in speed dating is more nuanced than "did I match?" and this blog unpacks what the research actually says alongside what we've seen across hundreds of real events. The short version: it works better than most people expect and significantly better than another month on the apps.

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Speed Dating Blog

How safe is speed dating?

Hosted venues, experienced event staff, structured rotations, and a room full of people who all booked through a legitimate platform — speed dating is genuinely one of the safer ways to meet strangers. This blog covers what we do to keep events safe and what you can do to keep yourself safe after the night ends.

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Speed Dating Blog

Best dating sites for over 50s

Dating after 50 looks completely different to dating in your twenties, and the apps that work best reflect that — this blog cuts through the noise and names the platforms actually worth your time. Spoiler: in-person events make the list, and for good reason.

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Speed Dating Blog

Dating after divorce

Getting back out there after a marriage ends is equal parts terrifying and weirdly liberating, and this blog approaches that reality with the honesty it deserves rather than hollow pep-talk energy. Whether you're six months out or six years out, there's something useful here for where you actually are.

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Speed Dating Blog

What Are The Disadvantages of Speed Dating?

Look, no dating format is perfect — not apps, not setups, not accidentally falling in love at a café like it's a rom-com — and speed dating has genuine downsides worth knowing about before you book. This blog covers them honestly, because informed singles make better daters.

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Speed Dating Blog

What to say at speed dating?

Five minutes sounds like nothing until you're sitting across from someone attractive and your brain decides to serve up "so... do you like stuff?" — this blog fixes that. From openers to conversation flow to the graceful exit, here's exactly what to say and when to say it.

Read blog →
Speed Dating Blog

Best first date night ideas

Best first date night ideas.

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Upcoming Speed Dating Events

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Speed Dating 34-55yrs event at Diesel Bar & Eatery in Melbourne

Speed Dating 34-55yrs

Diesel Bar & Eatery

Sat, 2nd May, 5:00 pm AEST

202 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Tickets from $29.90 AUD

77 people already going

KA
AL
AB
SA
LE
MO
JA
BE
AN
+68 more
Speed Dating 34-55yrs event at Diesel Bar & Eatery in Melbourne

Speed Dating 34-55yrs

Diesel Bar & Eatery

Sat, 23rd May, 5:00 pm AEST

202 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Tickets from $29.90 AUD

47 people already going

JS
KA
HA
PA
CA
MO
RO
EL
BE
+38 more
Speed Dating 34-47yrs event at Diesel Bar & Eatery in Melbourne

Speed Dating 34-47yrs

Diesel Bar & Eatery

Sat, 30th May, 5:00 pm AEST

202 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Tickets from $29.90 AUD

52 people already going

NI
AN
BE
LU
PH
LE
RE
CA
AM
+43 more
Speed Dating 40-65yrs event at Diesel Bar & Eatery in Melbourne

Speed Dating 40-65yrs

Diesel Bar & Eatery

Sat, 16th May, 5:00 pm AEST

202 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Tickets from $29.90 AUD

54 people already going

VI
LA
MA
OL
AB
CL
DE
LU
EM
+45 more

Recent Speed Dating Reviews

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Genuine feedback from people who came along, met new people, and had a much better night than they expected.

B

Local Guide · 24 reviews · 43 photos

9 months ago

Went with a girlfriend, both of us single and bored of apps. It was actually fun, people were friendly & not weird, it's just meeting new guys and girls at a social event, no biggie. Stayed after with a small group and laughed for another hour.

K

5 reviews

5 months ago

Signed up cause my sister dared me. Didn’t expect much but it was actually good. Met 6 women and a few guys who work in the same industry as me. It's not strictly a singles night, more like just meet a bunch new people and see what happens.

N

2 reviews

3 months ago

Went in pretty skeptical but it worked better than I thought. I matched with 2 women and met 2 guys who also like gym who both seemed cool. Honestly it was worth it just for the convos, it’s good practice talking to people face to face instead of swiping.

M

6 reviews · 2 photos

3 weeks ago

First time doing swipe events and tbh i nearly bailed walking up to the bar lol, you click when you arrive in and it just tells you who to sit with. No awkward ‘so who do I talk to’ moments. Some convos were a bit clunky but a few were actually really fun. I wasnt sure what speed friending was but they just pair you one chat at a time to meet new people

P

8 reviews · 3 photos

1 year ago

Went Friday night after work and honestly nearly didn’t bother cause I was wrecked from the week. Glad I did. The app keeps telling you who your next chat is and I just followed along. Talked to 12 people some convos were awkward, a couple were really good. and still chatting with a few now, felt more like a night out with mates

C

7 reviews

3 days ago

You see the ads and I’ve been to other events and over swiping and working from home so I went last night, felt a bit nervous and one of the guys was weird but made some nice girlfriends.

L

3 reviews · 1 photo

2 months ago

Want to meet some new people, I am new to the city and worry about talking but everyone was very nice and lovely to meet some new people.

L

Local Guide · 12 reviews · 8 photos

1 month ago

Went with a friend, we were both nervous walking in but you just follow the app and it’s pretty simple. I had 12 chats, matched with 2 guys & 3 females, even met a new bestie and we've already met up for coffee. Honestly felt safer and more real than apps.

M

4 reviews

1 week ago

Went midweek, didn’t know if it would be busy but there was a solid mix of people. The 7 minute chats go so quick, especially when you click with someone. I matched with two guys, one I didn’t expect to like at all but met some cool girlfriends too, it's just like a fun social networking event

B

Local Guide · 24 reviews · 43 photos

9 months ago

Went with a girlfriend, both of us single and bored of apps. It was actually fun, people were friendly & not weird, it's just meeting new guys and girls at a social event, no biggie. Stayed after with a small group and laughed for another hour.

K

5 reviews

5 months ago

Signed up cause my sister dared me. Didn’t expect much but it was actually good. Met 6 women and a few guys who work in the same industry as me. It's not strictly a singles night, more like just meet a bunch new people and see what happens.

N

2 reviews

3 months ago

Went in pretty skeptical but it worked better than I thought. I matched with 2 women and met 2 guys who also like gym who both seemed cool. Honestly it was worth it just for the convos, it’s good practice talking to people face to face instead of swiping.

M

6 reviews · 2 photos

3 weeks ago

First time doing swipe events and tbh i nearly bailed walking up to the bar lol, you click when you arrive in and it just tells you who to sit with. No awkward ‘so who do I talk to’ moments. Some convos were a bit clunky but a few were actually really fun. I wasnt sure what speed friending was but they just pair you one chat at a time to meet new people

P

8 reviews · 3 photos

1 year ago

Went Friday night after work and honestly nearly didn’t bother cause I was wrecked from the week. Glad I did. The app keeps telling you who your next chat is and I just followed along. Talked to 12 people some convos were awkward, a couple were really good. and still chatting with a few now, felt more like a night out with mates

C

7 reviews

3 days ago

You see the ads and I’ve been to other events and over swiping and working from home so I went last night, felt a bit nervous and one of the guys was weird but made some nice girlfriends.

INSTAGRAM

@speed_dating_social

282posts
9,781followers
6,153following
3756+people

Attend each Month

10104+Dates

Mini Dates each week

43Attendees

Average event attendance

735Events

Singles events each year