I don’t know about you but I’ve always been the type of person who’s interested in statistics, whether they’re about food, millennials or dating. I recently came across an article that said that the amount of single people in the UK has risen since 2002 by around 4 million. Then I came across another one that said, due to cost and ‘a low proportion of eligible singletons’, London is apparently the worst place in Britain to be single… so I guess it’s not your fault that you are part of the single people in London scene…?

However, I am determined to be positive (mainly because I am officially in Christmas ‘love everything’ mode). So, with that in mind; here are 5 ways to meet other single men and women in London.

1. Through Friends

Another little statistic for you- you’re more likely to meet a future partner from being friends with them first.  Meet them through the friends you already have! We moan to our friends about our singleness and plead with them to toss a single friend (who’s NICE) our way, as if they’re a lifeline to us drowning in a sea of singleness. They don’t say ‘there’s plenty of fish in the sea’ for nothing.

Whether your friends are coupled up or are also part of the single people in London club, they may be able to introduce you to some new peeps with actual potential. There will also be the added bonus of them knowing both of you, so they should be able to see aspects of both your personalities that will mesh.

Another bonus; if they don’t have anyone to introduce you to, you can always rope them in for wingman duties. The important thing to remember is that people work better when they have an incentive. The promise of free alcohol is always an effective one 😉

2. During Any Smoking Breaks

Personally, I am not a smoker (honestly more than anything else, I just wonder how people afford it) but I have to admit hanging out with people who smoke has proven useful on night outs. This is because they always want to go outside to smoke and I usually just want to go outside because I can’t stay in a club for too long without rethinking my whole life/worrying I’m going to pull a ‘green witch from the Wizard of Oz’ and actually melt. Nevertheless, it’s good in terms of having company.

One thing I’ve noticed during these periods, a lot of hotties hang out outside and asking for a cigarette or a lighter is a very good ice breaker indeed. Now, this doesn’t have to be limited to just nights out. Anytime that you are somewhere and there is a smoking break/ smoking area, even if you don’t smoke, go along! You’re likely to find some of the single men and women in London lounging around, but make sure that they really are single first!

3. Coffee Shops

It is true the rom coms are responsible for a lot of unrealistic expectations (if you want to see how many, check it this blog post all about it) but one thing they are sort of right about – Coffee shops. Not in the sense that you will definitely meet your one true love in one, as you bump into them in a well-dressed outfit while being late for work, yet still looking glamorous. More in the sense that single people like to hang out there. Truthfully, single or not, coffee shops are a great place to get some work done, read a book or just watch the world go by. It’s also a great place for eyes to meet across a room.

The important thing to remember is that you want to look busy but not too unapproachable (unless you’re actually working and genuinely don’t want to be disturbed, in that case don’t let us interrupt!). You also want to respect people’s boundaries when they’re working, so try and read the room before approaching the single people in London who are just chilling with their daily caffeine intake.

4. Take Up New Hobbies or a New Class

One of the best ways to bond with people is over shared interests and what better way to do that than to go to places/ events specifically designed for those shared interests? Aside from the added bonus of learning something you also get to meet new people. One of the great things about London is that it aims to cater to everyone because it’s a hub of diversity, including diversity of thought. If there’s something you want to do or learn, chances are London has a place for you to do it. Chances are also pretty high that some of the single people in London will also be in attendance too.

Look, your time is precious, so this way you’ll kill two birds with one stone (if you want to think about it in terms of efficiency) also, regardless of whether you meet someone or not, you’ll have learnt something new. Knowledge is never a waste!

5. Speed Dating

Wait! Hear me out! I know you’ve been with me so far and this may seem like a little bit of a curveball. Yes, dating is hard enough as it is, but with speed dating you have a few perks such as;

1. Your date is already there (they bought a ticket)
2. If the first date is bad, you have lots more to look forward to immediately
3. You get a lot of initial meet ups done and dusted in one sitting (literally because, traditionally, if you’re the woman you don’t move)

Essentially it’s a whole lot of single people in London, in one space, being offered up to you like a buffet.  Also, speed dating has gotten a lot more imaginative than just changing tables every 5 minutes, just have a look at Smudged Lipstick and their speed dating events. Also, unlike most dates (unless it’s a group one) you can bring your friends along and gossip about how it’s all going in between. Which, let’s be honest, is one of the best parts of dating, spilling the tea afterwards 😉

So there you have it, 5 ways to meet other single people in London. However, I want to take this time to say that there is absolutely nothing wrong being single. No matter the state of your romantic life, as long as you are happy, then ignore everyone else! Like Mandy Hale said “Single |sin•gle| (adjective) – Too fabulous to settle.”