Speed Dating in Oslo: How It Works and the Best Alternatives

Speed dating in Oslo works the same way as anywhere else: you book a ticket, sit down at small tables and talk to one person after another for a few minutes each, then mark who you would like to see again. If the interest is mutual, the organiser shares contact details after the evening. It is quick and structured, but Oslo also has easy places to meet people without a timer, from free salsa nights to a chess bar and a sauna on the fjord.

How a speed dating evening in Oslo works

You register in advance, often for a specific age group, and pay for a ticket. On the night you get a name tag or a number, and a host keeps time. Each round lasts a few minutes, then one side moves on. At the end you note the people you would like to meet again, and mutual matches usually get each other's details the next day.

Speed dating has become popular again in Norway in recent years, and there are also speedfriending and networking versions, so read the description before you book. Dates and organisers change often, so check event platforms and organisers' social media for what is on this month.

Is speed dating worth it?

• Good if: you want to meet many people in one evening and like a clear structure.
• Less good if: short timed chats make you nervous, or you would rather get to know someone while doing something together.

Norwegians rarely talk to strangers in shops or on the tram, but in bars, at events and around a shared activity it is completely normal. That is why the alternatives below work so well.

Alternatives in Oslo: places where talking is easy

All of these come from our Oslo meet people guide, checked in October 2026, and all work if you go alone:

• Café Sør on Torggata: salsa on Tuesdays with a lesson from 20:00 and free entry, bachata on Wednesdays. You do not need a partner, dancers rotate all night.
• Kulturhuset i Oslo at Youngstorget: a bar on each of its three floors, a games room, quizzes and DJs at weekends, open until 03:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. The age limit is 20.
• The Good Knight in Vaterland: Norway's first chess bar, with pub chess tournaments and quiz nights. Asking someone for a game is a natural icebreaker.
• Tilt in Vaterland: a games bar known for its pinball and arcade machines. Waiting for the next game gives you a reason to talk.
• Oslo Badstuforening in Bjørvika: communal sauna sessions on and by the fjord every day from 07:00 to 23:00. A shared bench and a cold dip break the ice fast.
• Mathallen at Vulkan and Vippa on Vippetangen: food halls with shared tables where it is easy to get talking over dinner.

Where to go for a first date afterwards

Met someone? Keep the first date low-key, the way most people in Oslo do. Walk up onto the roof of the Oslo Opera House for free views over the fjord, get a coffee at Tim Wendelboe in Grünerløkka, or take a walk in Ekebergparken, a free sculpture park in the forest. More ideas are in the Oslo date spots guide.

FAQ

How long is one speed dating round in Oslo?

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 bring a friend to speed dating?

No. Most people come alone, and the format is made for that.

What can I do instead of speed dating in Oslo?

Try a weekly fixture where people mix naturally: free salsa on Tuesdays at Café Sør, a quiz at Kulturhuset, a game at The Good Knight or a communal sauna on the fjord. Going back to the same place each week makes it easy to see the same faces again.

Do I need ID to go out in Oslo?

Often, yes. Many bars have an age limit of 20 or more, so bring ID even if you look older.

If you would rather skip the timer, YesTonite shows who nearby is going out tonight. One message opens the chat, so you can make a plan in Oslo this evening. It is free, 18+.