With an estimated 9.8 million people living in the country’s capital (and statistically, a fair few of those millions being singletons), there’s no shortage of people to meet in London, but where are the best places to meet singles in London?
While those numbers might feel a bit overwhelming when you’re just one person, London is bustling with events to help you find that special someone to take the city by storm with!
Take a look at our list of the best places to meet fellow singletons in the big smoke to give your love life the boost it needs.
Best Places to Meet Singles in London:
- Local bars
- Speed dating events
- Online dating
- Popular pubs, bars, & restaurants
- Doing hobbies
- Taking classes
- Volunteering
- At work
- Through friends
Read on to find out more about how to find love in London with these places.
Best Places to Meet London Singles
If you’ve spent any amount of time in London, you’ll know that it’s a city full of life, but striking up a conversation with a beautiful stranger on the tube like some cheesy romcom isn’t a realistic way to meet other single people.
Thankfully, there are plenty of places in London that are great for meeting new people.
1. Try Out Some Local Bars
This might seem like an obvious one, but it’s easy to overthink dating and miss out on the obvious options. London is bursting with small, local bars that are more likely to be filled with borough residents than tourists.
These places often offer craft beer, live music, rustic decor, and a lively atmosphere, the perfect combination to start conversations with people local to your area who may also be single.
Of course, you can’t guarantee that the people you speak to in your local bar or pub are single, but it does give you more opportunities to meet new people organically who can then introduce you to their single friends.
Alternatively, we’ve put together a list of the best singles bars London has to offer with our favourite dating bars in London.
2. Don’t Be Scared of Speed Dating Events
Speed dating events in London are something that many singles are still wary of, but there’s nothing to be scared of.
Gone are the days of sitting in a dimly lit community hall and awkwardly introducing yourself over and over again! Speed dating has officially come into the 21st century and can be a lot of fun.
Many speed dating nights now have themes to make them more interesting and help break the ice. Why not try out drunk jenga speed dating to test the waters in a more relaxed environment?
Think of speed dating as just another singles event that introduces you to new single people that you may or may not click with. It’s essentially a swiping dating app, but in real life.
Don’t forget to prepare for your speed dates with our top tips and questions for getting to know someone!
3. Don’t Give Up On Online Dating
Of course, if you’re really busy or don’t fancy ruining your favourite local bars for yourself with nights filled with awkward pick-up lines, you can always rely on online dating websites.
The market is saturated with niche and general dating apps and websites to help you strike up conversations with fellow singles from the comfort of your sofa.
With that said, if you want a dating app that takes finding love seriously and is tailored to the lifestyle of single people in London, you can’t go wrong with the Finding The One dating app.
Take a Chance On Finding The One
The Finding The One app is the perfect place if you want to find love and appreciate meeting up in person rather than spending months communicating through an app.
With our unique chat function that encourages you to plan an in-person date you can seek whether sparks fly sooner rather than later.
Download our app today to find eligible singletons in London and take the awkwardness out of dating.
4. Visit Popular Pubs, Bars, & Restaurants
If you want to search further afield than your local, there are plenty of well-known places that are ideal for meeting singles in the city.
Some of the most popular places where you can meet other single people are…
- The Ivy Club – A more exclusive crowd. Members can join by invitation only.
- The Connaught Bar
- The Hawk’s Nest – Great for craft beers.
- Midnight Apothecary
- Supa Dupa Fly – A nightclub with a diverse crowd where you can dance all night long.
- Sketch
- Bar Nightjar
- The King’s Arms – In the heart of Soho, near nightclubs, to keep the night going.
5. Spend More Time Doing Hobbies or Classes
All the options we’ve mentioned so far are great for meeting a range of singles, but they don’t necessarily help you find someone who shares the same interests as you. This is where group hobbies and classes come into it.
Taking up a hobby or joining an evening class can be the perfect place to meet people.
Not only are you more likely to meet a special someone who shares the same interests as you, but with these regular social events, you can get to know other singles before making a move if it makes you more comfortable.
Some of the best group hobbies or classes for meeting new people include:
- A book club
- Dance classes
- Different types of cooking classes
- A ‘how to make cocktails’ class
- Local D&D groups
- Art classes
6. Try Volunteering
Sharing the same hobbies isn’t the only basis for a budding relationship. In fact, some people prefer to keep their hobbies separate from relationships.
What’s always important when looking for a serious relationship is that your morals align, which is why community volunteering serves as a great place to meet someone.
Whether you’re volunteering to litter pick in your local park, providing food at a soup kitchen for the homeless, or helping out with a local charity, you can give back to your local area and potentially meet someone special.
It goes without saying that you should already have an interest in the cause you’d be helping.
You shouldn’t just start volunteering with the sole goal of meeting other single people. If you get found out, people will assume you’re a creep, and you don’t want that!
This is more just about being open to the possibility of meeting someone organically, rather than seeking someone.
7. Don’t Overlook Your Workplace
Finally, we can’t rule out the place where we spend the majority of our time. Work can be the ideal place to find like-minded people who may also be single.
If you’re open to the idea of finding love at work, try to be relaxed about it and let relationships blossom naturally rather than actively pursuing people, as this can lead to awkward working relationships and could potentially cause issues with HR.
It’s also important to consider the consequences of sparking a relationship at work that doesn’t work out.
If you find yourself getting close to a coworker, open and honest communication throughout is a must. You should also check your workplace’s policy about relationships.
What Should I Consider Before Starting a Relationship At Work?
Before starting a relationship with a colleague, it’s worth thinking through some potential challenges and red flags.
- How will the relationship affect your ability to stay professional at work? It’s important to keep things appropriate and avoid anything that could disrupt team dynamics or productivity.
- How might it impact your career? Workplace relationships, especially when one person is in a higher position, can sometimes lead to perceptions of bias or favouritism—which isn’t great for your reputation.
- What happens if the relationship ends? Breakups are hard enough, but seeing each other every day in the office can make things even more complicated.
- How much are you comfortable sharing with coworkers? Colleagues will naturally be curious about your relationship and you might find yourself the hot gossip topic for a while. You’ll probably be asked questions that you might not be comfortable answering.
8. Turn Your Friends into Cupid
Using dating apps, hitting up bars, or diving into hobbies are all solid ways to meet someone. But have you thought about tapping into the people already around you?
Unlike the F.R.I.E.N.D.S cast, your mates probably have plenty of other friend groups and acquaintances outside your circle.
Why not ask them if they know someone single who might be a good match for you? Since your friends know you well, there’s a good chance they won’t set you up with someone totally random.
Who knows? Your perfect match might already be on the periphery of your friend group, and double dates can be fun!
9. Be Open to Brief Encounters
Although we started this blog saying that striking up a conversation with a beautiful stranger isn’t the most effective way to meet other singletons, it doesn’t mean you should shut yourself off from the possibility entirely.
There’s nothing wrong with striking up a conversation with someone in a coffee shop or on public transport and seeing where it goes.
Alternatively, be approachable and friendly to people who strike up a conversation with you. You never know – they could be the coolest person you’ve ever met.
Remember: keep things light-hearted and fun to avoid coming off as desperate and creepy.
Also, accept the fact that some people may be uncomfortable being spoken to by a stranger and back off if they’re not receptive to your conversation.
10. Be Patient—Love Takes Time
As the Supremes said, you can’t hurry love; you just have to wait. Although there are millions of single people in London, you’re not likely to click with all of them.
Actually, you’re not even likely to click with most of them!
Finding someone special that you want to spend all your time with is a lengthy process, and chick flick meet-cutes don’t happen very often in the real world.
You’ve got to put in the work, mingle, attend events, and go dancing to work your way through the extensive selection of potential partners.
The best thing to do is just have fun with it and enjoy meeting new people and making friends along the way.
How Can I Increase My Chances of Meeting Someone Special in London?
With its vibrant mix of cultures and endless opportunities, the city is full of potential. The key is to keep an open mind and enjoy the process of meeting new people.
Expand your social circles—join a club, check out local events, or get involved in community activities. Every new encounter is a chance to make a connection, whether it’s romantic or just a great new friendship.
Explore the city’s diversity by checking out different neighbourhoods or diving into cultural festivals—you’ll meet people with fascinating stories and backgrounds.
Be approachable, curious, and authentic. Show genuine interest in others, and you’ll naturally build connections that might turn into something more.
And remember, patience is everything. Love has a funny way of showing up when you least expect it, so focus on enjoying the journey. Every conversation and connection gets you one step closer to finding someone special.
Relax, have fun, and trust the process—you’ve got this!
Find Lasting Love in London With Finding The One
Meeting new people isn’t easy, especially in a city as big and busy as London.
But that doesn’t mean it isn’t full of friendly, interesting people who want to meet you just as much as you want to meet them!
Make finding love easier with the Finding The One app.
Meet people who are as serious about finding love as you are and avoid wasting time with endless messages with our unique chat function that encourages you to meet up in person.
Download the app today and start meeting fellow singletons in and around London.
FAQs
Where Do Singles Go Out in London?
London offers great spots for singles, including:
- Soho’s vibrant bars
- Shoreditch’s trendy clubs
- Relaxed social events in Covent Garden
Popular venues like The Book Club and Tonight Josephine host fantastic settings for meeting people and making connections.
Where is There to Go as a Single Man In London?
Single men in London can explore vibrant spots like cocktail bars, lively pubs, and networking events across the city. Popular venues such as The Blues Kitchen and The Social offer friendly atmospheres for meeting like-minded people.
Where Can I Meet High-Value Men in London?
You can meet high-value men in London at exclusive members-only clubs like Soho House, elite networking events, luxury hotel bars such as The Connaught Bar, or upscale gallery openings and art exhibitions frequented by successful professionals.
How Do I Find Someone Who Shares My Interests in London?
Try joining group activities like fitness classes! In London, some fun options for singles include book clubs, dance classes, cooking classes, art workshops, or even local D&D groups. It’s a great way to connect and have fun!
Is Online Dating Popular in London?
Yes, online dating is very popular in London. These platforms allow busy professionals and locals to connect, making them an effective way to meet new people across the city.