Why speed dating works

Chemistry happens in person, not on a screen. Four minutes face to face tells you more than a week of messages: whether they make you laugh, whether there's a spark. The room is full of single men and women in their early forties to mid fifties, all there to meet someone.

The night

Thursday 4 February, from 8pm, at The Varsity Club, Oxford, for people in their early forties to mid fifties. Our host checks you in and gives you your Passion Passport™, where you note everyone you meet. Women stay seated and men move round, so you meet everyone. Each date lasts four minutes, with a break halfway for a drink.

Your matches

After the night, log in to your Original Dating account, see everyone who took part and mark each person Yes, No or Friend. At 5pm the next day we work out the matches; say hello through the website's private, secure messages. Nobody ever sees a No.

The venue

An area of The Varsity Club, Oxford, kept for us.

What a guest said

“Great fun and a brilliant concept for getting everyone talking.” — a guest at speed dating in Oxford, January 2026.

Before you book

Tickets are sold separately for men and women to keep the numbers even; none on the door. Please arrive 15 minutes early: latecomers may not be able to join.

Good to know

Early forties to mid fifties

Starts 8pm; 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?

On the night you note everyone you meet on your Passion Passport™. Afterwards you log in to the Original Dating website and mark each person Yes, No or Friend. At 5pm the next day you see your matches and can message them privately. 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.

Description supplied by the event organiser.