The frustration with Berlin’s dating scene is what led the five founders of Sore Thumbs to begin organizing speed dating nights in 2022. Their events are intended as a fun – and crucially IRL – way to meet other singles in a safe and uplifting environment. Events are offered for three groups – FLINTA* (women, trans and non-binary people), hetero singles and queer men – with 15–20 participants at each event, mostly Gen Z to millennial. You get a 3-4 minute date with each participant before submitting the names of the people you liked to the organizers. If those you liked also felt a spark: it’s a match! Besides dating nights (which are donation-based and currently held at Fincan Neukölln) the group is also throwing a Queer Singles Summer Party at Gallery22 in Kreuzberg (02.08.2025, 20h–late) for a night of saucy bops and mingling with other singles. Awaiting you are DJs, giveaways, tarot readings and, who knows, maybe even a future love. As Carrie Bradshaw (might have) typed on her MacBook: in a city of jaded hearts, is romance making a return?
Text: Benji Haughton / Photos: Samuel Efe
Sore Thumbs hosts regular speed dating nights – for more info and sign up see here. Next events: FLINTA* speed dating (19.07.2025), Queer Singles Summer Party (02.08), hetero speed dating (August), queer men speed dating (September).
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