Never been to a speed dating event? It is far more relaxed than it sounds. Here is exactly how a NY Minute Dating night in Brooklyn runs, start to finish, so you know what you are walking into.
How the night works
You will arrive, check in, and get a scorecard. Over the evening you will have a series of five-minute mini-dates — usually ten to fifteen of them — with a laid-back break in the middle to grab a drink and mingle. Events are grouped by age range (for example 20s to 30s, or 30s to 40s), so you are always meeting people at a similar stage of life. The whole thing runs about two hours, and there is nothing to prepare — just show up and be yourself.
After the event
You do not have to make any awkward decisions in the room. Afterward you log in and simply mark who you would like to see again. When a pick is mutual, we exchange your contact details. No rejection in person, no pressure — you only hear about the matches.
Where we meet in Brooklyn
We host at trendy bars and lounges around the borough and rotate through neighborhoods — the waterfront spots of Williamsburg and DUMBO, the brownstone blocks of Park Slope and Brooklyn Heights, and the nightlife of Bushwick. Each venue is hand-picked for a relaxed, stylish atmosphere, and the exact location for each event is listed on the event page so you always know where to go.
Getting there is easy: nearly every event is a short walk from a subway stop — the L for Williamsburg and Bushwick, the F, R, or 2/3 for Park Slope and the Heights, the A/C or F for DUMBO. Trains beat driving; parking is tight in most of these neighborhoods.
Come solo or bring a friend
Most people come on their own, and that is completely normal — everyone is in the same boat, and our hosts keep the night moving so there is never an awkward lull. Prefer a wingman? Bring a friend; both are welcome.
A few quick questions
What should I wear? Smart-casual — the kind of thing you would wear to a nice Brooklyn bar. How many people will be there? Enough for ten to fifteen mini-dates in your age group. What does it cost? Most events run $35 to $45, which covers all your mini-dates plus the online matching afterward. When is the next one? See the events page for the current Brooklyn schedule.
Ready to give it a go? See upcoming speed dating in Brooklyn events on our events page and reserve your spot. First, you might like our guide to the Brooklyn dating scene and the best first-date spots in Brooklyn.