The AntiDate to Dating

Image:Debtony

My online writing has often been built around the fact I am single. I have taken money from Jane Pratt to advertise the fact I am single here andhere. I have written about being single on Squeamish Bikini so many times I don't think I even dare to do a quick search through the archives (although you should - many a happy hour has been lost doing such a thing). However by now you may, dear reader, be thinking 'well why don't you bloody well do something about it?' Well reader, while I don't like your tone I have to tell you that I did. And in East London of all places, at Manero's for  Speakeasy Sitting Room

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It is not easy, once you are out of education and working 9 to 5, or 10 to 6 (which is more likely but less catchy) to meet new people. Especially if you are me and have strict rules regarding work and social life - I don't mix them. Somehow people have less time and so the spare time they do have is increasingly spent online. It turns out that while it doesn't always feel like it, I am not the only one to notice this. 

After being dragged on speed dating nights and 'social events' Melanie, founder of Speakeasy Does... began to wonder if we even remember how to interact with human beings?

"The lost art of socialising is often blamed on developments in online dating; where a date, partner or friend is selected based on geographical convenience, age and how good one looks in holiday pictures. 'Chat' is a terminology now associated with Google and Facebook while Tinder has turned choosing a potential soulmate into an actual game."

In a bid to counteract this new online dating malarkey Melanie started Speakeasy Sitting Room, "the 'Antidate' to Tinder, Grindr and all things 'unsocially social'" 

Taking inspiration from the last time social gatherings were without anxiety - children's parties of yesteryear, Speakeasy Sitting Room is an invitation only event where you can sit on the floor and play Hungry, Hungry Hippos with complete strangers whilst necking alcoholic sweets. 

I can see how a chat up line can be more bearable if it is couched in an invitation to play Connect 4. 

Held at Manero's in east London I was a little anxious this was going to be a tense night of organised FUN. But the atmosphere was relaxed and cordial. At first I thought the amount of one on one boardgames was a mistake but I can see how a chat up line can be more bearable if it is couched in an invitation to play Connect 4. 

To get everybody interacting we were divided into two teams. I know what you're thinking but no it wasn't PE all over again and no it wasn't painful. A player from each team had to pick a Scrabble tile from a bag and depending on if they drew an A or a P played Articulate or Pictionary. I'd never played Articulate before. But reader, I RULED at it. 

I didn't meet that special someone, but I feel I learned something about myself. I'm really, really good at describing something - without using the word itself. 

Squeamish Kate

The next Speakeasy Sitting Room dates at Manero's in Dalston are:

TUESDAY 12 NOVEMBER 2013

TUESDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2013

AND at The Other Club 

MONDAY 11 NOVEMBER 2013