Most people want to roll in the deep when it comes to love - but dating comes with its heartbreaks. People want to build close romantic relationships but being able to swipe on an app can make the whole process a lot more casual, and maybe a little impersonal for some.
After all, ghosting or just disappearing without an explanation has become far more common amid the online dating scene. Almost 25% of online daters had been ghosted by a partner, and almost 20% of the participants had also ghosted someone themselves, according to a study of 1,300 published by the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships in 2018.
This inexplicable rejection can be quite hurtful and put people off dating apps. However, if you are in Birmingham, there are ways to meet your potential partner in real live - including speed dating.
Speed-dating became popular in the late 1990s in the U.S. and spread across the world. It is a great way to meet a special one and several Birmingham restaurants host these events.
In speed-dating, people are given a set amount of time to speak to a potential partner before moving on to another. Basically, it is a matchmaking process where a person can meet a large number of person in a short period of time and decide if they want to see them again - and each venue might have its own set of rules.
So, if you have been looking for ways to meet new people in and near Birmingham, here are eight speed-dating events in local restaurants:

1. Cocktail Club, Birmingham city centre
Cocktail Club on Temple Street will be hosting two speed dating events this month. One on May 22, for Muslim professionals aged 24-35 and one on May 30 for people of all faiths aged between 24-38. Tickets are available on Eventbrite for both. (Photo - The Relationship Co) | The Relationship Co

2. The Botanist, Birmingham city centre
The Botanist is hosting a speed dating event on May 3 organised by MySpeedDate. This is for people between 26-38 though it’s a guideline only. Participants will have up to 20 dates each lasting 4-5 minutes during the night. Tickets are available on Skiddle. (Photo - DesignMyNight) | DesignMyNight

3. The Lost And Found, Birmingham city centre
The Lost & Found will be hosting three speed-dating events this month - on May 3, 18 & 23. On May 3, it’s for those in their 30s and 40s while on May 18 it’s for people in their 20s and 30s, while on May 23, it’s for people in 40s and 50s. The event is organised by Slow Dating and tickets are available on Skiddle. (Photo - Designmynight) | DesignMyNight

4. Be at One, Birmingham city centre
On May 3, 4, 10 & 17 - there will speed dating events at Be at One hosted by Love Speed Dating. On May 3 - it’s for people aged between 26-38, on May 4, it’s for people in their 20s and 30s. On May 10, it’s for those between 30-42 while on May 17 it’s for 22-34 year olds. To take part, you can buy a ticket on Eventbrite. (Photo - Bruno Postigo - stock.adobe.com) | Bruno Postigo - stock.adobe.com