I’m Kayla. I actually went. Not once. Three times. Different nights. Different spots. Same goal: meet real people without endless swipes.
Was it weird? A little. Was it fun? Also yes.
If you’d rather read another Portlander’s blow-by-blow before committing, this American Way first-person recap of Portland speed dating dishes on the nerves, the name tags, and the post-event coffee dates.
Quick TL;DR
- I did 3 speed dating nights in Portland.
- I got 4 matches total.
- One turned into a real coffee date at Coava. One fizzled. Two became friend-vibes.
- I’d go again, but I’d pick the right night and the right room.
Why I Went
I was tired of my phone. I wanted faces, not profiles. I also wanted to test if speed dating in Portland even works. We’re a chill city. We bike. We wear flannel. We get shy. Would folks even talk?
Turns out, yes. And they had a lot to say. If you want to see where the next mixers are popping up, the weekly calendar over at Portland Speed Dating lays out upcoming venues, themes, and age ranges all across the city.
If you’re curious how Portland’s scene compares to the rest of the U.S., a quick article in American Way breaks down dating quirks coast-to-coast.
Night 1: Downtown Wine Bar, Pearl District
This one was at a small wine bar near the streetcar line. Cozy. Low light. Candles that kept flickering like they were nervous too.
- Check-in was easy. Got a sticker with my name and pronouns.
- The host gave us little score cards: yes, no, maybe. Old school, but it worked.
- Ten rounds. Seven minutes each. It moved fast.
My chats:
- A teacher who just moved from Boise. We laughed about the rain and our soggy shoes.
- A guy who only talked about his van build. Nice, but the van was the star.
- A runner who trains on the Esplanade at 6 a.m. I said, “Wow.” My face said, “Nope.”
The noise level was fine. I could hear people without shouting. I had one match from this night. We traded two messages. It faded. That happens.
Night 2: Alberta Arts Brewery
Big tables. Warm lights. The room smelled like hops and fried pickles. Fun vibe, but louder. I had to lean in a bit.
Portland’s brewery hum felt lively, but it’s still nothing compared to the neon buzz of a Strip lounge—here’s a Las Vegas speed-dating night in all its high-stakes glory if you want a side-by-side vibe check.
- About 24 people. Pretty even ratio.
- Five-minute rounds. Quick, like speed math, but with eye contact.
- One no-show. The host handled it by giving someone a “floater” break.
My chats:
- A nurse from St. Vincent. Calm voice. Great laugh. We traded beer tips. I wrote “yes.”
- A software guy who loves board games at Guardian Games. We argued about Catan, in a nice way.
- A poet who read at an open mic on Killingsworth. Soft eyes. Big heart.
The follow-up email came next morning with matches. I got two. One became a real coffee date at Coava on Grand. We talked for two hours about sandwiches, siblings, and dumb pet names. It felt easy. We did a second hang at Baerlic for trivia. Still friends. Maybe more later. I’m not rushing it.
Night 3: Queer-Friendly Night on Mississippi Ave
This one had the best hosting. Clear rules. Warm welcome. Pronoun stickers and no-pressure vibes. Folks were kind. I felt safe.
- Mix of ages, late 20s to late 40s.
- Six-minute rounds and a reset halfway for water and breath.
- Seats were closer, but not cramped.
My chats:
- A barista who bikes everywhere. She swears by a rain cape. Smart.
- A woodworker who makes tiny shelves for plants. I pictured a fern with a throne.
- A Timbers fan who brings a scarf to first dates “for luck.” Okay, cute.
I got one match here. We met for bagels by the river. Great morning. No spark, but zero regrets.
What I Loved
- You meet people who show up. That says a lot.
- No ghosting mid-chat. You get time, then you move on.
- The host sets the tone. A strong host makes everyone breathe.
- The mix: teachers, makers, nurses, tech folks, artists. Very Portland.
What Bugged Me
- Noise. Breweries can get loud. My voice was tired.
- Short rounds. Five minutes vanishes if someone tells a long story about their kombucha.
- Drinks add up. I kept it to one, then water. My wallet sighed anyway.
- One event started late. We sat. We waited. We got cold fries.
Real Tips From a Real Person
- Show up 10 minutes early. You’ll calm down and pick a good seat.
- Bring a pen you like. You’ll use it a lot.
- Wear one bright thing. Folks remember colors more than names when they’re nervous.
- Prep three tiny questions: “What’s the last thing you cooked?” “What’s your happy place in Portland?” “What’s your Sunday like?”
- Pick nights that match you: age range, queer-friendly, or hobby nights.
- Eat a snack first. Hungry brain is not flirty brain.
- Craving a sun-soaked coastal scene instead of drizzle? This San Diego first-person hookup adventure shows how different the dating game feels when the ocean’s steps away.
- Dreaming of trading pine trees for palm trees? A quick browse through Bedpage San Juan’s local dating listings can point you toward salsa-soaked mixers, beachfront happy hours, and no-swipe meet-cutes as soon as you land in Puerto Rico.
Money, Time, and Follow-Up
- Price I paid: $28 to $42 per night.
- Time: 1.5 to 2 hours, plus a little mingle time.
- Rounds: 8 to 12 chats, 5 to 8 minutes each.
- Matches: You mark yes/no on a card or a link. The email with results usually came by the next morning.
Want to scout dates, ticket prices, and themes before you commit? Browse the current lineup on Eventbrite's Speed Dating Events in Portland to see what’s coming up next month.
After you walk away with a few matches, the real work starts—keeping the chat alive without sliding into generic small talk. The conversational ice-breaker guides over on the InstantChat blog can arm you with clever openers and texting etiquette so your post-speed-date messages actually lead to real plans.
The Small Stuff That Made It Work
- The host who said, “If you need a breather, wave me over.” I did once. It helped.
- The table with extra pens, water cups, and mints. Bless whoever thought of mints.
- Name tags with big print. Sounds small. It eases the mind.
- A tiny bowl of jelly beans at one spot. People smiled. Candy breaks fear.
So… Would I Do It Again?
Yep. With care. I’d pick a calmer room and a focused age range. I’d go in with light goals: learn one new thing, make one person laugh, and be kind to myself if I get tired.
You know what? Speed dating in Portland isn’t magic. It’s a room with people who also got brave for a night. That counts. And sometimes, that’s the spark.
If you go, bring your real self. Bring your yes. And maybe a pen that doesn’t skip.