Speed Dating: As Fun as It Is Romantic

The Short Version: If Robert Ryall has his way, speed dating could be the social event of yesterday and tomorrow alike: efficient and free of drama. Through Date in a Dash, the company he runs, he gives speed dating and singles events a fun, creative spin.

Some people find the buildup to a first date exciting, but I'm not among them. To me, the wait before a first date starts feels like lying back in the dentist's chair, mouth wide open, until the dentist walks in. Will he find a cavity to poke, or will you get out pain-free? I realize that's a gloomy way to look at it, but I also know plenty of people feel the same.

According to Robert Ryall, who founded Date in a Dash, speed dating is on its way back.

Wouldn't most of us rather have a string of painless dates than one long one? Done well, speed dating can be a fun experience that nudges you gently outside your comfort zone. Robert Ryall, who founded the speed dating company Date in a Dash, explained how his team makes its speed dating events flirty and fun while keeping them accessible.

Robert recognized that a speed dating business could make money, and it looked like a great chance to meet new people himself, too. Date in a Dash launched in 2011. Five thousand speed dating events on, Robert knows the dating industry inside and out. He's also picked up what may be the biggest lesson in speed dating: success depends on adapting.

Speed Dating: Efficient and Free of Drama

Speed dating is just what it sounds like: you vibe-check a date in a matter of minutes and move along if there's no instant connection.

Lots of us like the idea of dating that's efficient and drama-free, and that's what got Robert to try it for himself. Five thousand events later, he's a bona fide speed dating expert. A hobby grew into a business he's now run for 14 years and counting. Along the way he's sharpened his hosting skills and built fun, welcoming events for people seeking genuine romantic connections.

A modern speed date can be relaxed, cool, and fun, particularly at a trendy venue.

Robert stressed how much the venue matters when planning a speed dating event. It sets the mood for the night, and it also sparks conversation, and perhaps a bit of flirting if you're lucky.

Hosting events at trendy, popular, in-demand spots lets Date in a Dash soften the blow when a date doesn't work out.

“Even if the speed date is rubbish, at least they’re cool,” Robert said. “You can have a glass of wine or a cocktail, and you can dance … a lot of the places we try and find are places where there might be some live music afterwards.” Even if the date falls flat, you can still have a good time.

With several things going on at once, a speed dating event is hard to get bored at. According to Robert, the host matters just as much as the venue to an event's success. “A charismatic host with lots of energy is really important,” he said. A confident host makes the night feel fun and comfortable.

Speed dates and singles parties suit different personalities and comfort levels.

Date in a Dash hosts both singles parties and speed dating events, and according to Robert, each one suits a different type of personality. “At a singles party, you’ve actually got to get out of your comfort zone, and go and talk to someone.”

Speed dating, on the other hand, handles the “approach” part for you. “What people love about speed dating is the fact that you get 15-20 guaranteed dates in one night,” he said. And since those guaranteed casual dates last only a few minutes each, even the shyest people should be able to manage.

“Chances are, you’re going to meet people you would never really chat with in a bar or club,” Robert said. Naturally, he stressed that speed dating isn't for everyone, so don't beat yourself up if it's not your thing. “Some people love it, and some people don’t,” he said.

Date in a Dash Keeps Adapting

Some people link speed dating to the days before the internet, when singles eagerly hunted for romance at bars, dances, and singles events. Once dating apps and online dating arrived, those old-school methods seemed to become obsolete. Can in-person dating really stage a comeback?

Robert pointed out that more and more news stories are hailing the return of classic, face-to-face ways of dating. Maybe people are tired of dating apps, or perhaps the isolation of the pandemic is part of the story.

Date in a Dash puts on themed speed dates for all ages, identities, and desires.

Still, with the worst of the pandemic (hopefully) over, young people might slip back into their Tinder-loving, swipe-happy habits.

A speed dating enthusiast himself, Robert told us that running an in-person dating business comes down to being adaptable. “The biggest shift after the pandemic was the younger generation,” he said. People under 30 simply aren't speed dating as often as they did 10 years ago. “You’ve got dating apps, the cost of living crisis… everything’s just so expensive,” Robert explained.

That change has pushed Date in a Dash to rethink its approach. “We’re doing free events just to get people in larger parties on the weekend,” he said. “We’re also trying events for all ages.” The aim is to put a human touch back into dating, something websites and apps simply can't copy.

Speed dating events from Date in a Dash often mix in games, trivia, and creativity.

Speed dating used to be just the ring of a bell and a handful of awkward chats with strangers. Now Date in a Dash makes it a creative, fun experience that appeals to people of every age.

Robert said one of the company's themed events, Squid Game Dating, has really caught on. “It’s a mix between a pub quiz, a speed dating event, and some of the games from Squid Game,” he said. “It’s all team-building type stuff, and you can win a cash prize.” It's a lively game night that leaves little space for awkward silences or forced small talk.

Other events include Drunk Jenga, Mistletoe Mingle, a Winter Rooftop Singles Party, and even Naked Dating, plus plenty more. Whatever the limits of your comfort zone, there's something for everyone.

Creativity has grown more important over the past few years. “It’s getting so competitive in the market,” Robert said. “It’s going to come down to what [the company] offers and how creative they are.”

Where Speed Dating Is Headed

People under 30 may have fled back to the apps, but Robert says those 40+ have warmly embraced speed dating. “Forty-plus is certainly where it’s at now, after the pandemic,” he said.

Robert has also seen a gender gap in speed dating. “We’ve got far more men than women,” he said. He puts the change down to social media (“It might be down to the fact that women aren’t actively searching [speed dating] out on Google anymore … a lot of searches are now done on Instagram or Tiktok”), though other factors may be involved too.

Speed dating offers a happy medium between in-person dates and dating apps.

Since #MeToo, many women go the extra mile to stay safe. A big part of dating apps' appeal is that you can learn about someone without ever leaving your comfort zone. Still, speed dating can turn into a fun night out if you bring your girlfriends along.

“A lot of girls come with friends,” Robert said. His advice for speed daters? Keep it simple and don't overthink it. “We’ve never advertised as being a matchmaking service,” he said. “We just provide a night of entertainment, a bit of fun, [and] you can meet random people.” Speed dating is an excellent way to gather like-minded people in one room, and what happens next is completely up to you.

According to Robert, Date in a Dash has led to long-term relationships that have flourished.

“We have had eight weddings, that I know of, since we launched,” he told us. 

Within the next few years, he'd like Date in a Dash to reach the U.S. There will likely be a market for it, even if dating apps keep gaining popularity. Robert also shared where he thinks the dating industry is headed.

“I feel like it’s going to go one of two ways,” he said. Either people will “go back to the apps or subscription-based dating sites,” or they'll embrace the timeless appeal of dating in person.

After all, testing compatibility face-to-face, rather than through a dating app, has something special about it. There's a thrilling humanity to it that virtual dating can only try to copy. That's what's truly beautiful about speed dating: it sits comfortably between the two extremes.