VIBE SHIFT ALERT: Singles parties are hot.
We’ve always backed ourselves as the dating app that throws the best singles parties.
But, if you asked us pre-lockdown if we thought everyone rated them as much as we do, we wouldn’t be so sure.
Singles parties have had a bad rep in the past. They were “awkward 90s style parties” and “sad town hall speed-dating nights”.
But then the pandemic hit. Dating app delirium set in - zoom dates, dry chat and apps hailing video as the hottest thing in dating. And while all that was happening, singles’ parties were preparing for a glow up.
9 in 10 singles now think it’s more socially acceptable to meet someone at a singles party than it was before the pandemic. And singles are flocking to them like it’s the nineties again - but it’s different this time.
The vibe shift: why it happened
The end of the pandemic marked two big realisations for singles.
Meeting people IRL is top of their list (81%), and the pandemic has negatively impacted their opinion of dating apps (35%). The reasons behind this vary - some felt singles were putting less effort in (58%), and half said the quality of matches (52%) and hookup culture (50%) turned them off dating apps during the pandemic.
We’ve always believed in meeting IRL but knew that our parties had to be a little more adventurous to truly get people together.
So for the last 10 years we’ve swapped boring ice breakers and clunky intros for dancing on tables at underground house parties, drag bingo nights, festivals and more in the hottest venues across the world.
But how do you navigate a room full of single people?
Firstly, get a ticket to one of our upcoming events and then follow these tips from our in-house dating expert, Crystal Cansdale:
Bring a wingman(or woman) - Heading to a singles party on your own can be intimidating. The best solution? Your wingman/woman. But remember, two is company and three is a crowd - try not to turn up with a big group that could put other people off approaching you.
Get into it - Our parties aren’t school discos. You don’t get points for shuffling around the edge. Whether it’s dancing on tables, chatting to strangers or introducing yourself to a group, don’t be worried about getting involved - it’s what everyone’s there for.
Use the icebreaker - Approaching people isn’t always easy. Sometimes, you just don’t know what to say. Our icebreakers are there for a reason and we make sure they aren’t cheesy and embarrassing
Be clear about what you’re looking for - Everyone at the party is single, but that doesn’t mean you all want the same thing. You might be looking for the love of your life, they might be wanting a quick fling, and someone else might be just here for the good vibes. Have fun, but always be honest.
Treat it like a night out - This one might be a bit basic, but really… enjoy yourself. Our singles parties take place at amazing venues for a reason - so people can have a great night out. It’s not always about the phone number you leave with. Sometimes it’s best to just have fun and see what happens.
Ready to give it a go?