First impressions may not be everything, but speed dating advocates claim that when it comes to romance, potential new partners can get the nod – or more often, the thumbs down – in a matter of minutes. For those seeking speed, physical chemistry and learning a few basic principles are all that is needed for a quick judgment on the suitability of another, and anything beyond that is just a waste of time.
For gay people, New York City offers plenty of speed dating options, with more (and more compartmentalized) options coming in all the time. In September 2010, the Los Angeles group LA Lords sold out both sessions of their first foray into New York’s gay speed dating market, and in November, the LGBT Community Center hosted their first Lesbian Color Speed Dating night. .
To make the chance of a match as likely as possible, this popular speed dating option for gay men breaks things down by age and type for each session. Topics include Jewish men, professional men, HIV + men, athletes, gay travel lovers, gay geeks, and there’s even a millionaire Matchmaker edition. Dates last between six and eight minutes each, and testers can test eight potential suitors.
When: once or twice a month, usually on Wednesdays or Thursdays
Where: Most often at Gossip Bar & Restaurant, 733 Ninth Avenue, between 49th and 50th streets
Qwik dates
True to its name, the dates here are very quick, only three minutes with each of the dates assigned, but then there is a free mixing period during which you can meet anyone else in the room. You then tell the organizers who you’d like to date again, and if the feeling is mutual, you and your new love can go out on your next (and presumably more intimate) date. Qwik Dates nights are generally themed (like the recent Groom’s Stuff: Arts-Oriented Men) or broken down by age.
When: once or twice a month, usually on Saturdays
Where: The LGBT Community Center, 208 West 13th Street, just west of Seventh Avenue
Woman para Woman Speed Dating
Hosted by onspeeddating.com, this power mixer connects female lesbian attendees with 10 to 25 others for quick meetings. “If Portia De Rossi, Lindsay Lohan, Kristanna Loken, Drew Barrymore, and Megan Fox do it for you,” they say, “then this is the speed dating event for you.” The group also sporadically hosts other LGBT speed dating events such as Lesbian Hot or Not, Mr. Right Now Gay, Asian Persuasion Gay, Hung Gay, and Who’s Your Daddy.
When: periodically (next event, Sunday, December 19, 2010)
Where: Murphy & Gonzalez Pub & Kitchen, 21 Waverly Place on Greene Street
Single Mingle – Boys Night Out
Hosted by the Chicago-based national Date and Dash service, this gay dating night in the East Village’s Urge promises 10 to 25 “dates” a night. Specialty drinks help lubricate the interaction.
When: monthly, Thursday, check in at 8pm, speed dating starts at 8:30
Where: Urge, 33 Second Avenue, between 1st and 2nd streets
