Speed dating is a formalised matchmaking process or dating system whose purpose is to allow single people to meet a large number of new people in a short space of time. Its origins are credited to Rabbi Yaacov Deyo of Aish HaTorah, originally as a way to help Jewish singles meet and marry. "SpeedDating", as a single word, is a registered trademark of Aish HaTorah, whereas "speed dating", as two separate words, is often used as a generic term for such events.
The first speed dating event was held at Pete's Café in Beverly Hills, towards the end of 1998, with several commercial companies offering similar dating events across the United States soon afterwards. By 2000, speed dating had really taken off, perhaps boosted by its glamorous portrayal in shows such as Sex and the City. Speed dating is hugely popular partly as it's said to save time; it's quite possible to assess romantic compatibility very quickly, with first impressions largely permanent.
| Aberdeen (2) | Exeter (6) | Northampton (4) |
| Bath (6) | Glasgow (14) | Norwich (8) |
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| Belfast (5) | Hagley (3) | Oxford (9) |
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| Cambridge (6) | Liverpool (7) | Shrewsbury (2) |
| Canterbury (4) | London (122) | Solihull (6) |
| Cardiff (8) | Maidenhead (1) | Southampton (5) |
| Chester (5) | Maidstone (2) | St Albans (5) |
| Chislehurst (5) | Manchester (14) | Stratford upon Avon (2) |
| Derby (1) | Milton Keynes (5) | Swindon (2) |
| Didsbury (3) | Nantwich (1) | Wilmslow (2) |
| Edinburgh (10) | Newcastle (7) | Windsor (6) | Worcester (2) |
Speed Dating
Where:London, SE10 8JR
Who for:Age -
When: 19:30pm
How much:£10
Company: Single Scene Dating
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Speed Dating - Graduate Professionals
Where:Kanaloa, London, EC4A 3BQ
Who for:Age 24-38
How much:£23.95
Company: Speed Dater
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Speed Dating/meal/party
Where:Charing Cross Hotel, London, WC2N5HX
Who for:Age 30-55
When: 20:30
How much:£12
Company: Contact Singles
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Speed Dating In Stratford Upon Avon
Where:The Encore, Stratford upon Avon, CV376AB
Who for:Age 30-45
When: 17:30
How much:£22
Company: Xpress Dating Services
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Speed Dating
Where:The Loft Bar, Canterbury, CT1 2TP
Who for:Age 25-37
How much:£15
Company: Singles Speed Date
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Speed Dating
Where:The Corner House, Windsor, SL4 1BG
Who for:Age 24-38
How much:£19.95
Company: Speed Dater
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Speed Dating
Where:Dover St Restaurant and Bar, London, W1S 4LQ
Who for:Age 32-42
How much:£21.95
Company: Speed Dater
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Speed Dating - Christian Event
Where:Kanaloa, London, EC4A 3BQ
Who for:Age 24-38
How much:£19.95
Company: Speed Dater
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Speed Dating - Christian Event
Where:Kanaloa, London, EC4A 3BQ
Who for:Age 24-38
How much:£21.95
Company: Speed Dater
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Speed Dating
Where:London, SE1 9DG
Who for:Age Af-65
When: 18:30pm
How much:£10
Company: Single Scene Dating
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Speed Dating
Where:Babble Bar, London, W1J 6ER
Who for:Age 21-31
How much:£21.95
Company: Speed Dater
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Speed Dating In Derby At Pitcher&piano 07/02/2012
Where:Pitcher&Piano, Derby, DE11BX
Who for:Age 26-32
When: 19:30
How much:£19.99
Company: Call Off The Search
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Speed Dating
Where:Grace Bar, London, W1D7NB
Who for:Age 21-36
When: 19:00
How much:£22
Company: When the music stops
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Elite Speed Dating
Where:Revolution, Wilmslow, SK9 1HY
Who for:Age 43-58
When: 19:30pm
How much:£25
Company: Elite Speed Dating
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Speed Dating In London On 07/02/2012
Where:Carbon Bar, London, W1C 1LZ
Who for:Age 25-35
How much:£23
Company: Slow Dating
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Speed Dating
Where:Belfast Harlequins, Belfast, BT9 5JX
Who for:Age 35-45
When: 19:45
How much:£20
Company: When the music stops
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Speed Dating ~ Older Women, Younger Men
Where:Babble Bar, London, W1J 6ER
Who for:Age OlderFYoungerM
How much:£21.95
Company: Speed Dater
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Speed Dating ~ Older Women, Younger Men
Where:Babble Bar, London, W1J 6ER
Who for:Age OlderFYoungerM
How much:£19.95
Company: Speed Dater
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Speed Dating In Hagley
Where:The Lyttelton Arms, Hagley, DY99LJ
Who for:Age 40-55
When: 20:00
How much:£22
Company: Xpress Dating Services
Details | Check availability
Speed Dating In Swindon On 08/02/2012
Where:The Spot, Swindon, SN1 4BS
Who for:Age 25-38
How much:£15
Company: Slow Dating
Details | Check availability
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