Breaking news: no one likes dating apps.
While Tinder’s dubious experts insist that the app is for finding genuine romance and the only good one, Hinge, losing its appeal, more people are beginning to look for authentic, organic ways to find true, off-app love.
Though the rom-com cliche of locking eyes with the love of your life in the fresh food aisle has lower odds than Powerball, a happy medium has always been speed dating.
Yes, there’s a framework to it so there’s always going to be an undercurrent of inauthenticity, but for the most part, speed dating events in Sydney have been picking up in popularity for good reason. There’s a noticeable global trend of people taking their dating efforts offline to try and find real romance IRL.
Last year’s daming report by The Guardian UK read a death knell for the world’s biggest dating apps like Tinder, which has lost half a million users since May 2023. Both Bumble and Hinge took significant hits as well, losing 368,000 and 131,000 users, respectively, over the same period.
Where is the best speed dating in Sydney?
No Swipes
Best for: Ages 21-40
No Swipes takes a more creative approach to speed dating in Sydney. You aren’t holed up in a bar darting from table to table every 15 minutes. You’re relaxing in a floaty on the harbour, partying on a luxury vessel, or having a themed winter party for “snow week.”
The start-up puts on large-scale singles events with a consistently fun approach to dating. It’s invite-only but you can register online for any of their upcoming Sydney singles parties. And yes, they always ensure an equal ratio with plenty of creative ice-breakers throughout the night.
And just in case you have the jitters, the No Swipes website states that around 65% of the people who attend their events do so alone.
Cheeky Events
Best For: Ages 25-39
Cheeky Events holds singles mixers all across Australia as well as New Zealand and even New York City. As far as speed dating companies go, this is one of the more reputable ones out there with a more classic approach.
At most of these events, women stayed seated while men rotated every five minutes. Everyone is rated via an app so you’ll get feedback in real-time, pushing you to improve your elevator pitch or stroking your ego.
City Swoon
Best for: Any age
City Swoon takes a more democratic approach to speed dating in Sydney. Regular events are hosted for all ages, so at any given time you’ll find Sydney speed dating events for ages 25-39, as well as 40+ and 60+ singles mixers.
Given City Swoon’s reputation, a lot of these events sell out quite fast and are held mostly in Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, Parramatta or North Sydney.
Encounter Dating
Best for: Any age
Encounter Dating has a mobile matching platform, but the swiping happens after face-to-face speed dating. The company takes a conventional approach to speed dating but doesn’t add the pressure of any instant matches. You can simply meet a bunch of people and then discreetly select who you want to see again via the app.
Singles parties, events and trivia nights are the most common, and Encounter Dating is a regular on the scene so you’ll always find something appropriate for your age group.
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