Host singles nights and speed dating on Event Flo

How do you host a speed dating event?

The quick answer

Book a venue with two-seat tables, plan timed dates of five to seven minutes, and take sign-ups with approval on so you can keep the numbers even. Hand out match cards and send mutual matches afterwards. Event Flo runs the sign-up page, ID checks (on by default) and the door, free.

• Guest approval: Turn it on per event
• ID checks: On by default
• 0% platform fee: Guests pay you directly

Why people host

You put people in the same room and let the spark do the rest.

What makes singles nights hard. And how we fix it.

• "What if the room is all one gender?" Balance it through approvals: Turn on approval and decide each request with the gender ratio of your confirmed guests in view on your check-in screen. There are no automatic caps: the balance is your call.
• "What if people aren't who they say they are?" ID checks on by default: An RSVP waits until the guest's ID is verified, and you see each person's verified status before you approve. You can switch the checks off per event.
• "I need everyone to feel safe." Your rules, your list: Put your house rules on the event page so guests see them before they book. Share contact details only when both people say yes, and block anyone from your future events if they cross a line.
• "People sign up and don't come, and the room goes uneven." A price, a reminder, a waitlist: A small ticket price turns a maybe into a plan, and guests pay you directly. Guests who RSVP'd get a reminder the day before, and cancelled spots go to your waitlist.

From sign-up to last round.

1. Set up the night: Venue, date, an age limit, a capacity in even numbers and a price. Turn on approval so you can balance the room. The first time, a public event goes live once your ID is approved, usually within an hour; a private event can go live right away.
2. Approve a balanced room: Requests come to you with each person's verified status. Approve them with the ratio of confirmed guests on your check-in screen.
3. Run the rounds: Scan guests in, seat the pairs, ring a bell at each switch and collect match cards. Event Flo has no matching feature, so you send the mutual matches.

How to host a singles night or speed dating event

Format, ratio, screening and icebreakers, in six steps.

1. Pick the format: Speed dating: two-seat tables and timed dates. Singles mixer: a looser room with games or prompts. Dinner for singles: seats that switch at dessert.
2. Plan the rotation: Seat one group and move the other one seat at each bell, so everyone meets everyone once. Ten six-minute dates plus switches take about 70 minutes, so plan two hours.
3. Keep the ratio even: Set your capacity in even numbers and turn on approval. Approve requests with the ratio of confirmed guests in view.
4. Screen before the night: Keep ID checks on, set an age limit, and add a sign-up question or two. Then approve the people who fit the room.
5. Break the ice: Name tags and one question card per round. Easy openers beat clever ones: best weekend lately, worst haircut, last great meal.
6. Close the loop: Collect match cards at the end and email each guest their mutual matches within a day. Share contact details only where both people said yes.

• Read the full guide: hosting people you don't know

Everything for a singles night.

Included, free

Get it out there

Your event page, and the places people can find it.

• Your own event page: Cover photo, a full description, the date, the place and an RSVP button, all on one page with one link to share everywhere.
• Listed where people look: Public events appear on Discover and on your city's pages, where people already look for parties, meetups and runs.
• Your host profile: Your past events, photos and guest reviews in one place, so new guests can see who's hosting.

Choose your crowd

Who gets in is your call.

• Approve each guest: Turn on approval and guests request to join instead of booking straight away. You approve or decline each one, so nobody gets in without your yes.
• ID-checked guests: ID checks are on by default, so an RSVP waits until the guest's ID is verified. You can switch them off per event.
• Waitlist: When you're full, new RSVPs join a waitlist. Let people in from it yourself, or turn on auto-promotion so the next person moves up when a spot opens.

Run the night

Smooth at the door, and it sets up your next one.

• Scan guests in from your phone: Check guests in with your phone's camera, right in the browser. It keeps working when the signal drops and syncs later.
• Door staff access: Invite a friend with an Event Flo account to run the door once your event is published. They scan from their own phone, so you never share your login.
• Export your guest list: Download a CSV of every guest and their answers, or print the QR passes, whenever you need them.

Hosting something else?

• For hosts
• Host a house party
• Start a meetup
• Start a run club

Someone is hoping you host this.

Post your singles night free. Balance the room your way.

• ID checks on by default
• You can approve every guest
• 0% platform fee

Frequently asked questions

What's the best speed dating format?

Most rooms work with two-seat tables, one group seated and the other moving one seat at each bell, and dates of five to seven minutes. That way everyone meets everyone once. Allow a minute to switch, and plan a break halfway.

How many people do I need for a speed dating night?

Enough for each person to have eight to twelve dates, so 16 to 24 guests split evenly works well. Set your capacity in even numbers and keep a waitlist for anyone who drops out.

How do I keep the gender ratio balanced?

Turn on approval and approve requests with the gender ratio of your confirmed guests in view on your check-in screen. You can also show a target ratio on your event page. There are no automatic caps, so the balance comes from your approvals.

What are good singles mixer ideas?

Question cards on each table, a round of two truths and a lie, a quiz in mixed teams, or a supper where seats switch at dessert. Keep the first activity short and easy, so nobody has to perform.

How do I make a singles event feel safe?

Keep ID checks on (the default), turn on approval, and put your house rules on the event page. Share contact details only when both people agree, and block anyone from your future events if you need to.

Does Event Flo match people for me?

No. Event Flo runs the sign-ups, ID checks, passes and the door. Matching is yours: collect match cards on the night and email the mutual matches afterwards, using the emails on your guest list.

Can I charge for a singles night?

Yes. Set one ticket price and say how you'd like to be paid. Guests pay you directly, and Event Flo takes 0% because it never touches the money.

Can I set an age range?

Yes. Set an age limit like 25+, and anyone under it can't RSVP; guests add their date of birth to book. You can also show a preferred age range on the event page as a guide.