Being single in London is the best of times and the worst of times. Sometimes, you’re riding that high of drinking margaritas with your girlfriends, linking your phone up to the TV to go through Hinge on the big screen, or booking that two-week-long holiday without thinking about a partner at home. There’s no permission needed when you’re single.

The other end of the single spectrum is at its Prime Time Bad on Sunday evenings, when you just want someone to cook you a roast dinner and remind you that no one hates you.

But as we ~ society ~ get more and more tired of dating apps and the endless swipe of faces, there’s been a rise in IRL dating events, with the meet-cute at a singles night becoming the norm. And I’m all for it, because a real-life person is always going to be more charming and engaging than the 2D photo on your screen.

Despite going to one singles night that saw the men in the room lined up along the edges like a school disco, singles nights seem to be a promising way of bringing people together.

So, if you’re looking to meet the one, or the one for one night only, these are the best singles events in London to find them.

Dinner For One Hundred

The pizza party at Nunhead’s Dinner For One Hundred is the Glastonbury of singles nights. With a limited 100 tickets, the “every Tuesday or so” singles night often sells out in minutes. And I know, because I’m on the waitlist, failing to check out every time.

The premise is you casually enjoy a dinner of shared slices, sampling every pizza on the D4100 menu, while trying to see if there’s a spark through medium-speed dating.

Do you both love pineapple on pizza? Or maybe you spot someone else who also saves their crusts for last? That’s real love if you ask me, and if I ever get a ticket to what I’ve heard is the best dating event in South, I just know my future partner also hates mushrooms and always orders every dip on the menu, because the saucier the better.

Best for: Pizza lovers, of course

Nunhead, SE15 | dinnerforonehundred.com

Sofar Sounds

Music in interesting places. Sofar Sounds was founded on this premise of bringing performances from well-known and upcoming artists into the many unique spaces of London. Think everywhere from the Bermondsey Beer Mile and historical churches in Hampstead to an intimate treehouse in Shoreditch.

Now it's launched a singles night called Heartbeat, for lovers looking for connection with a musical note. The secret location of the gig I went to this year was in Oblix, up the top of The Shard. Scenes, good conversations, and new tunes. It made the evening into an experience to remember, and it meant there was a ready-made conversation starter, having watched the performances.

It hosts events for everyone, too, with its Queer Edition nights. The inclusive dating events are for Cis, Trans, Non-binary, and gay individuals. Next up, a gig in London Bridge on 30 May.

Best for: People who spend all their disposable income on gigs

Various | sofarsounds.com

Thursday

The OG of singles nights, if you will. Thursday is obviously date night, and the people who came up with the idea to only date on a Thursday are pretty genius. Fridays are for lay-ins, working from home, and texting the people you met the night before.

Thursday singles events happen on a Thursday, in various locations across London, from cocktail bars in Soho to clubs in Angel.

And you are safe in the knowledge that everyone in the room is single. These events are best with a friend in tow, as you scout the room and look for another duo to break that initial ice. The aim of this game is numbers, so remember to circulate, circulate, circulate.

Thursday has also recently branched out, organising singles events outside of the dimly lit bar to sessions such as volleyball, book club, and HIIT classes, if you’re soul mate also likes a 6 am workout.

Best for: People who are busy all weekend

Various | events.getthursday.com

It’s a Date

From wine tasting, mini golf, and games nights to speed dating and singles parties, It’s a Date offers something for everyone, truly.

We know that going to a singles night could be a tad scary, the pressure of a room full of people and potential. So, having the distraction of an activity, asking someone to connect over Connect 4, or bowl someone over at bowling, is an ideal set-up for the dater looking for more than just, “Hi, do you come here often?”.

The It’s a Date events tickets are also split into guys and gals, so you know it’ll be an even ratio on the night.

Best for: Those who want to try an activity

Various | itsadate.club

Chicken Rush

This one kind of sounds like I’ve plucked it straight from a weird cheese-induced dream, but Chicken Rush sees you hunt and chase down a chicken around the city – all in the name of love.

Organisers group singles into teams, the chicken is your target, and it goes off to hide with a five-minute head start. Then it’s on you and your team of singles to find the chicken. You’ve got to check pubs, grab random drinks, and rush to find the chicken with points to win along the way through special tasks. The winners are announced at the end and you might take home a trophy, or a new boo.

The event ends with a chill and mingle, so if you spotted someone on another team you thought was cute, you still have a chance.

They say bonds are made through strange circumstances, so why not hunt a person in a chicken costume and get that (c)rush?

Best for: The out-of-the-ordinary dater

Various | chickenru.sh

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