Four-minute dates with single men and women in their early forties to mid fifties in Bournemouth.

The night

Thursday 5 November, from 7.30pm, at Slug and Lettuce, Bournemouth, for people in their early forties to mid fifties. Our host checks you in, gives you a score sheet and gets the evening going. Women stay seated and men move round, so you meet everyone.

How it works

Each date lasts four minutes: long enough to get a feel for someone, short enough that a dud is no hardship. There's a break halfway for a drink. The next morning you mark everyone Yes, No or Friend; at 5pm you see your mutual matches and can message them.

Who comes

Single people in their early forties to mid fifties from Bournemouth and nearby. Most come on their own, so you won't be the only one, and our host makes sure nobody is left standing in a corner.

The venue

The night is at Slug and Lettuce, Bournemouth, in an area kept for us for the evening.

What a guest said

“Great atmosphere. Outstanding work on a behalf of the organiser. Really nice experience overall. Thank you.” — a guest at speed dating in Bournemouth, August 2026.

Before you book

Tickets are sold separately for men and women so the numbers stay even, and there are no tickets on the door. Please arrive 15 minutes before the start: once the dates begin, latecomers may not be able to join.

Good to know

Early forties to mid fifties

Starts 7.30pm; doors open 30 minutes before

About two hours

Questions and answers

How many people will I meet?

Usually 12 to 20, depending on the night and the city. Everyone meets everyone.

Will there be equal numbers of men and women?

Most of the time it is equal or nearly so. That is why tickets are sold separately for men and women, and why there are no tickets on the door.

I'm going on my own. Is that OK?

Most people do. Our host looks after you from the door, so nobody is left standing in a corner.

I'm just outside the age range. Can I come?

Most people are within the range shown, and a year or so either side is fine. People usually want to meet others of a similar age, so a night for a much younger or older crowd is unlikely to end in matches.

How do matches work?

The morning after, you log in and mark each person Yes, No or Friend. At 5pm you see your mutual matches and can message them. Nobody sees a No.

Can a friend take my place?

Yes, as long as they are the same gender as you. Ask them to tell the host they are coming in your place.

Can I book for friends?

Yes: choose a men's or women's ticket for each person, so the numbers stay even. We'll email you afterwards for their names and details.

What happens after I book?

We'll email you to confirm your details, and those of anyone you've booked for, and set up an Original Dating account for each of you. Please reply: the account is how you see your matches after the night.

Can I get a refund?

Tickets can't be cancelled, changed or refunded, so please check the date and time before you book.

Prefer to book direct? This night on our own website: www.originaldating.com/events/t/c/l/d/t/10651 (https://www.originaldating.com/events/t/c/l/d/t/10651)

Description supplied by the event organiser.