Singles Scene Drought
Not just the water is drying up in Vegas
By BETTIE PUDGE
I've been noticing over the past few months that our calendar for singles events in this town is slowly but surely diminishing. On our Personals' events calendar, I try to scour the net for goings on that would appeal to singles of all ages who are actively looking for a fun alternative to a regular old date. HurryDate hasn't hosted a new event in 3 months. 8 Minute Dating has been even worse. Match.com used to have singles mixers once a month but they too gave up the fight at the end of last summer.
So what's the deal here?? Is it summer that's drawn singles' attention away from pre-planned events to the more spontaneous attitude brought on by the warm weather? Is there just a slowing growing lack of interest in singles mixers as a whole? Is speed dating and dating-themed events just a trend on it's way out the door?
Since our calendar has been lacking, I'd like to point you in the direction of a few organizations in town that could hold the key to absorbing some of Vegas' single audience. While I've explored these companies for future article use, I haven't devoted an entire article to them because I have this mantra that "I won't write about it if I haven't tried it myself." I'm about to eat my words and tell you about two places in particular that are trying to keep Vegas Valley singles entertained in new and exciting ways.
8 at 8 bills themselves as a dining club for singles who want to meet others like themselves in a slightly different atmosphere. The company gets its name from pairing 4 men and 4 women together (eight total) for dinner at a pre-chosen restaurant at 8pm. Get it? 8 at 8? Pretty clever.
Firstly, you have to join 8 at 8 for a yearly fee (does not include the cost of meals) and they guarantee you X amount dinners per year. The folks at 8 at 8 pair up similar singles whom they think would all have something in common - background, careers, age, education, personalities, etc. An 8 at 8 host meets you for pre-dinner drinks and gets everyone acquainted and then after that, you're on your own to socialize with the other seven people in your dinner party.
8 at 8 also hosts events which are open to the public and members but cost a one-time fee of about $25-$35. They wholeheatedly encourage people to come out to the open events to see what kind of people actually join up. A no-pressure introductory way to get a feel for the members, existing and prospective.
A little more on the casual side is Get Out! Las Vegas. Started by former public relations manager Heidi Keller, Get Out! specializes in varying activities around Las Vegas. From bowling, wine tasting, movies, scavenger hunts, indoor skydiving, baseball games, there really is something to appeal to everyone.
Joining this group is more than just filling out a questionaire and showing up someplace when you're told. Heidi likes to personally meet each and every prospective member face-to-face to see if they're going to mesh into the group. Who wants 60 y.o. smarmy old men hanging out with babe-a-licious 20-somethings? If you're not sure about it, call Heidi and she can describe this process to you herself. Really! She's cool. 702-736-1880.
Membership is a nominal yearly fee with varying costs for different events. Most of the time, Heidi gets discounts for her groups and passes the savings onto you. She even gets the group into the "chi-chi" places like House of Blue's Foundation Room, immediate access to Rain at the Palms (no lines to wait in!) and many other clubs du jour in Vegas. How can you lose?
If you like getting out, socializing and networking with other people in Las Vegas without the whole dating pressure right there in your face, this is the group for you.
Good luck and happy socializing this summer!
Do you have any ideas on topics I should be covering about the singles' scene in Las Vegas? Please email me and tell me about them! bettiepudge@reviewjournal.com
8 at 8
