Speed Dating in Madrid and Barcelona: How It Works and the Alternatives

Speed dating in Madrid and Barcelona works the same way: you book a place for an evening, talk to one person after another for a few minutes each, then tell the organiser who you would like to see again. If the interest is mutual, you both get each other's contact details. It is quick and structured, but both cities also have easy weekly places to meet people without a timer, from a Saturday language exchange in Madrid to board game nights and swing dancing in Barcelona.

How a speed dating evening works in Madrid and Barcelona

You sign up in advance, usually for a set age range, and buy a ticket. On the night a host explains the rules and keeps time. Each round lasts a few minutes, then one side moves on. At the end you say who you liked, and mutual matches receive each other's details after the event.

There are variations too. Slow dating evenings swap the stopwatch for longer conversations over wine and small plates, and past editions of San Solterín, run by the train operator OUIGO, held speed dating on board a high-speed train to Madrid. Organisers and dates change often, so check event platforms and the organisers' own pages for what is on this month.

Is speed dating worth it?

• It suits you if: you want to meet many people in one evening and like a clear structure.
• It suits you less if: timed conversations make you tense, or you prefer to get to know someone while doing something together.

If you are in the second group, the places below do the same job without the bell. The evening starts late in both cities, so there is plenty of time for a second stop if the conversation is going well.

Alternatives in Madrid: places where talking is easy

All from our guide to meeting people in Madrid, and all fine to attend alone:

• Spainglish Language Exchange in La Latina: Saturdays at 18:00, with 20-minute rounds in each language. This is the closest thing to speed dating on the list, except that nobody is keeping score, and you only need to order a drink.
• Madrid for All: a language exchange with karaoke on Thursday evenings, free to enter, where you only pay for your drink. Dozens of locals and newcomers sign up each week.
• Gambit Café in Malasaña: a chess bar with boards on the tables and classes for beginners. Offering someone a game is an easy way to break the ice.
• Sala Equis in La Latina: a former cinema turned bar and screening room, where people chat before and after independent films. Coming alone is completely normal here.
• Sala Clamores in Chamberí: a live music venue since 1981, with jazz, soul, funk and flamenco, plus a Saturday Cuban brunch that gets people dancing at midday.

Alternatives in Barcelona: places where talking is easy

From our guide to meeting people in Barcelona:

• Barcelona Language Exchange: every Thursday at 19:00 in a bar in El Born, free to enter with a small minimum drink. You change tables and languages all evening, which gives you a lot of short conversations.
• KLEFF board game night: usually Wednesdays at 19:00, and the organisers seat newcomers at tables with people they do not know.
• Board Games BCN at Pasa Tapas in Barceloneta: games in English and Spanish near the beach. Just sit at any table that needs a player.
• Swing Maniacs: a swing school with open trial classes and regular social dances. Partners change constantly, so you end up meeting the whole room.
• New in Barcelona Tandem: a community for people who have just moved, with language exchanges in the Gothic Quarter on Saturday afternoons.

Where to go for a first date

Met someone? In Madrid, watch the sunset at the Templo de Debod, then end the night with chocolate and churros at Chocolatería San Ginés, which stays open around the clock from Thursday to Sunday. In Barcelona, climb to the Bunkers del Carmel for a free view over the whole city at dusk, or go for a first glass of cava at the bar at El Xampanyet in El Born, which closes on Mondays. More ideas in the date guides for Madrid and Barcelona.

FAQ

How long does a speed dating round last in Madrid or Barcelona?

Usually a few minutes per person. The exact length depends on the organiser, so check the event description before you book.

Do I need to speak Spanish for speed dating in Spain?

Check the event description, because the language depends on the organiser. If your Spanish is still basic, a language exchange or a board game night in English and Spanish is an easier start.

Do I need to bring a friend?

No. Many people come alone, and the format is designed so that you talk to new people all evening.

What can I do instead of speed dating?

Pick one weekly plan and go two or three times: the Saturday exchange or the Thursday karaoke in Madrid, or the Thursday exchange or a Wednesday game night in Barcelona. Seeing the same faces each week makes the next conversation easy.

If you would rather skip the bell altogether, YesTonite shows who nearby is going out tonight. One message opens the chat, so you can make a plan in Madrid or in Barcelona this evening. Free, 18+.