We all know modern dating can feel like a complete mess – but the culture around dating in the UK is changing fast.
More and more people are ditching dating apps due to widespread “swipe fatigue” and “dating app burnout”. Bumble’s paying users dropped by 21% this year, falling from 4 million to 3.2 million users, while Match Group (owner of Tinder and Hinge) has also reported declining subscribers across several platforms.
At the same time, research shows that 82% of Brits would rather meet someone naturally at a social event than on a dating app.
That shift has sparked huge growth in real-life dating experiences across the UK. People are returning to:
- Singles events
- Running clubs
- Dinner parties
- Community events
- Hobby groups
- Social clubs
- Dating nights in London, Manchester, Leeds and Cardiff
But there’s still a problem.
Traditional singles nights and speed dating events often feel awkward, forced, and high-pressure. In fact, 50% of singles compared singles events to “awkward school discos”, while many described them as “weird” or said they worried about looking “desperate”.
The Independent also reported that many men avoid traditional dating events because they can feel:
- Forced
- Synthetic
- Like a job interview
- Publicly exposing
- Too intense
So people clearly want real-life connection, they just don’t want outdated dating formats.
That’s Where Haystack Comes In
At Haystack, we’re building a new kind of dating event in the UK: social-first, dating-second.
We hire out some of the best venues across London, Manchester, Cardiff and Leeds, filling them with curated groups of single people. Instead of awkward one-to-one speed dating, we focus on creating genuinely fun social experiences where meeting people happens naturally.
We reinvest profits into incredible entertainment and experiences, so you’re guaranteed a great night regardless of whether you meet someone romantically.
When you arrive, you’ll be welcomed by our team and assigned a group number. From there, you’ll meet a curated group of singles matched around shared interests using our custom Python-powered matching algorithm.
We’ve essentially taken the best logic from dating apps – compatibility and matching – and brought it into real life.
After more than 70 sold out singles events, we’re incredibly proud of the low-pressure, fun atmosphere we’ve created. The vibes are always 10/10.
No Awkward Speed Dating. No Pressure.
One of the things people love most about Haystack is how relaxed the events feel.
94% of attendees come alone, so there’s absolutely no pressure if you’re flying solo. Everyone is there for the same reason: to meet new people, make connections, and have a genuinely good night out.
Because our events are group-based rather than one-to-one, conversations flow naturally and there’s far less pressure than traditional speed dating events.
We’ve also recently upgraded our matching algorithm to optimise for friendship compatibility as well as romantic chemistry – because great connections come in many forms.
The Best Singles Events In The UK
We’re constantly growing and improving with one goal:
To create the best dating events in the world.
Our entertainment and experiences include:
- Rock climbing socials
- Padel events
- Live music nights
- Boules (aka petanque!)
- Arcade game nights
- Singles travel experiences
- Social mixers in London and across the UK
Haystack also provides light icebreakers to help conversations flow naturally without forced interactions.
We recently sold out our first ever singles ski trip in March, and next week we’re hosting another singles holiday in Portugal with only a couple of spots left.
Join A Haystack Singles Event Near You
We are currently hosting dating events and singles socials in:
- London
- Manchester
- Cardiff
- Leeds
If you’re tired of dating apps and looking for a better way to meet people in real life, come join us for an event soon.