Clubs

Since it first hit these shores six years ago, speed dating has exploded nationwide, but innovators have sensed its yawnsome likeness to musical chairs and crafted the trend into something much more diverse, fun and downright bonkers.

Last year saw the first ever Clown Speed Dating where circus performers – it’s hard to meet ‘the one’ when you’re being wild and wacky on the road most months of the year, right? – took part in red-nosed speed dating and custard pie flinging while head to toe in full clown costume. Feature continues

Science geeks were invited to Speed Dating: Laws of Attraction, organised by the Science Museum last Valentine’s Day, where experts offered tips and advice about ‘the science of body language’ before speed dating. Indie Speed Dating at Nambucca offered ‘loveless skinny-jeaned, big-haired boys and lonely white-stilettoed, leopard-printed gals’ the chance to find their Nancy Spungen or Sid Vicious (and we’re secretly hoping that they return soon, hint hint!).

It’s not only clowns, science freaks or indie kids who get lonely, either. Clive Morley, resident and booker at the Old Queen’s Head on Essex Road, spotted that while going out and getting trashed was easy, going out, getting trashed and meeting someone for fun that lasted beyond the end of the party wasn’t. He started The Date Society (originally called Date Club) last autumn for ‘desirable Londoners who don’t really need to go speed dating’. With an erection section on the iPod and tables covered in candles, it’s more like a social night out at a mate’s than a blink-and-you-miss-it round of speed dating.

It surely doesn’t get much more kitsch (or hilarious) than Board Game Speed Dating. Instead of the girls staying seated while the guys rotate, both sexes switch tables so that you get one of 25 different games – Hungry Hippos, Guess Who?, Twister, a giant Connect Four – per each six-minute slot. The mastermind behind the night, 31-year-old lawyer Brian Fitzmaurice, believes that the night suits singletons who find the idea of speed dating daunting. ‘You don’t come away with an empty feeling like you might wandering round tables having shallow conversations for 25 quid,’ he says. ‘You’ll probably figure more out about someone through playing a game.’

On a darker note, if you’re sick of tainted love and still can’t find your Lestat, head to Goth’n’Rock Speed Dating at the Marlborough. After one (or three) nerve-soothing Lust cocktails, settle down in the intimate basement bar for some alternative matchmaking. ‘Attendees come from across all the alternative scenes,’ says co-runner Tasha Little, ‘but everyone’s down to earth and up for a laugh. It’s definitely not pretentious.’

The age range is wider than other speed dating events (20-45, as opposed to 20-30 or so) but the format is the only thing that’s standard, with girls seated for the night while the guys work their way around the tables. One thing’s for sure: there’s a guaranteed shared disdain for all things James Blunt and Coldplay. How many successful relationships were built on less?

Join in the dating game using Time Out's own dating service, London Love.
The Date Society is at the Old Queen’s Head on Jan 23, 7pm. Registration is essential via register@thedatesociety.com.
Board Game Speed Dating is at Mish Mash, Balham on Feb 14, 8pm. Info: www.boardgamespeeddating.co.uk.
For other upcoming events, see: www.clowndating.com, www.myspace.com/indiespeeddating and www.gothnrockspeedating.com