Reviews
Couldn't imagine that I would find speed dating in Moscow when I first got here ... found City Date over Google search and decided to participate after a nice conversation over the phone with the English-speaking girl who organized the events ... I met a few nice (and cute) girls and the atmosphere was very positive. I can recommend this to anyone new in town.
Phillip, 34
Get ready for the Hawaiian style speed dating party @ club B2 onRacing towards romance
Moscow, a city that never sleeps (according to DJ Smash’s 2007 single), has yet another activity to offer both locals and new transplants: speed-dating. On autumn and winter evenings, young and single Muscovites descend upon speed-dating parties to meet new people – and possibly their soulmates.
Speed-dating parties are usually held in restaurants and nightclubs.
“We offer our clients a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere of a restaurant or a nightclub that we book only for them,” Maria, a party organiser from City Date, said.
On average a speed-dating party lasts two hours. During this time, 20-30 men and women get to get to know each on 10-minute mini-dates, each of them marked by a sound of a gong.
“Some 15 per cent of our clients are expats, so our services are available both in Russian and English. Our hostess speaks English,” Maria said.
Speed-dating is considered a fairly safe way for people to find a partner, if they lack time for traditional searches.
“It used to be only for businessmen, but now other professionals come to our parties,” another speed-dating organiser said.
The origins of speed-dating
The ideal atmosphere for a speed-dating party is both romantic and relaxed
It’s been 12 years since the first speed-dating event took place: Pete’s Café in Beverly Hills hosted the first known speed-dating party in 1998. Since then, speed-dating has spread across the US and crossed the Atlantic, eventually reaching Moscow.
Today speed-dating is becoming more and more popular among residents of Moscow – perhaps because Muscovites’ lifestyles have been growing increasingly hectic and going on regular dates is a hassle.
Where to speed date
Dozens of speed-dating societies and clubs are located around Moscow. The average price for a party ticket is 1500 roubles ($50) – it usually includes both a spot in your age group and a drink.
Upcoming speed-dating parties in Moscow:
City Date
Phone: 8(495)227 5951 (Russian)
8(495)762 3752 (English)
When: October 20th, Wednesday, 8 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
Where: Restaurant Novikov, Teatralnaya metro
www.city-date.ru
by at 18/10/2010 19:07
Reprinted from Moscow News
