Toronto can be a lonely city but being solo during the lead up to Valentine’s Day, deep in the winter blues, can feel even more isolating.
For singles looking to mingle — off the dating apps and IRL — there are plenty of options in the city to meet someone new. Here are five interesting singles events taking place this month, where you might just find the one.
The blind date mixer
The Goodman Pub and Kitchen, 207 Queens Quay W.
The singles mixer with blind date matchmaking at the Waterfront is organized by Toronto Dating Hub, a dating event company that launched during the pandemic to put a fun twist on the average singles’ meetups. While the floor is open for mingling in this chic cocktail-attire event for GTA professionals 28 years and older, there’s also a version of “The Blind Date” game show to help match some guests. Participants will ask questions to three hidden singles before choosing their favourite based on their answers. Tickets and details are found on the mixer’s Eventbrite page.
The singles’ cooking class
Summerhill Event Boutique, 1057 Mount Pleasant Rd.
Feb. 15 and Feb. 16 @ 6 p.m.
Add some spice to your life at a Valentine’s Day-themed cooking class for singles, where guests can learn how to cook a new meal while chatting away with other chefs. The hands-on workshop includes a live chef demonstration and encourages conversation through activities such as card prompts. Plus, you’ll dine on the meal you’ve all cooked together. There are a number of cooking classes on offer; the Saturday, Feb. 15 event is designed for straight 25-to-35-year-olds while the Feb. 16 event is for ages 36 to 46. For $160 per person, guests will whip up three appetizers, a main course and enjoy local wine, drinks and dessert. Sign up on the Perfect Pairing Events website and become a member for free to receive an email invitation and details about future events.
The queer singles’ trivia night
Glad Day Bookshop, 499 Church Street
Glad Day bookshop, open since 1970, is hosting Questionable, a queer trivia event, on Feb. 10. This particular event is for trans folks 18 and older looking to mingle. Participants will be teamed up in groups of four to six for two rounds of trivia, and during each round, players will be switched to a new team to maximize connections. Prices range from $5 to $25 and funds will be used to support 2SLGBTQ+ artists and community events. More information can be found on Glad Day Bookshop’s eventbrite page.
The bubble tea mixer
Chatime Bubble Tea, 171 E Liberty St unit 143
Calling all bubble tea enthusiasts tired of dating apps. Toronto Dating Hub is hosting a pre-Valentine’s Day Meet Your Matcha singles mixer at the Liberty Village Chatime for singles aged 25 and 40. The intimate event will be capped around 24 participants and feature mingling time, “boba-inspired” icebreakers, activities and a matchmaking game based on favourite boba flavours. Guests are asked to dress for a brunch date. One bubble tea drink will be included with a ticket. More information is available on the Eventbrite page.
The gamified conversation mixer
Hunters Landing, 82 Fort York Blvd
This is no ordinary singles mixer: At the Love Currency Singles Mixer, “love currency” is used to help people connect in an interactive and engaging way. Guests 28 and older are handed a few “special coins” at the start of the event that they have to give away to people they have meaningful conversations with throughout the night. The person who receives the most coins wins a prize. Hosted by “Single in the City,” a dating service and event company operating in Toronto since 2002, there will be a live band and DJ, and appetizers are included. Details can be found on singleinthecity.ca.
