Lock & Key Singles Party in Oxford @ The Varsity Club | 30s-40s

About this event

The night

Friday 13 November, from 7.30pm, at The Varsity Club, Oxford, for people in their early thirties to mid forties. Every woman is given a padlock and every man a key. The game is simple: find the one that fits, and meet a lot of people trying.

How it works

Check in with the host when you arrive and get a drink. There's no script to follow: the host gets people talking, and the rest is up to you. It's bigger and looser than speed dating, with no bell telling you to move on, so you can spend longer with the people you like. Swap numbers with anyone you click with.

Who comes

Single people in their early thirties to mid forties from Oxford and nearby. Most come on their own, so you won't be the only one, and our host makes sure nobody is left standing in a corner.

The venue

The night is at The Varsity Club, Oxford, in an area kept for us for the evening.

What a guest said

“First ever dating event , phenomenal. I will be going again :) Thanks to the hosts” — a guest at speed dating in Oxford, January 2026.

Before you book

Tickets are sold separately for men and women so the numbers stay even, and there are no tickets on the door. Please arrive 15 minutes before the start: once the night begins, latecomers may not be able to join.

Good to know

• Early thirties to mid forties
• Starts 7.30pm; doors open 30 minutes before

Questions and answers

Will there be equal numbers of men and women? Most of the time it is equal or nearly so. That is why tickets are sold separately for men and women, and why there are no tickets on the door.

I'm going on my own. Is that OK? Most people do. Our host looks after you from the door, so nobody is left standing in a corner.

I'm just outside the age range. Can I come? Most people are within the range shown, and a year or so either side is fine. People usually want to meet others of a similar age, so a night for a much younger or older crowd is unlikely to end in matches.

Can a friend take my place? Yes, as long as they are the same gender as you. Ask them to tell the host they are coming in your place.

Can I book for friends? Yes: choose a men's or women's ticket for each person, so the numbers stay even. We'll email you afterwards for their names and details.

What happens after I book? We'll email you to confirm your details, and those of anyone you've booked for, and set up an Original Dating account for each of you. Please reply: the account is how you see your matches after the night.

Can I get a refund? Tickets can't be cancelled, changed or refunded, so please check the date and time before you book.

Prefer to book direct? This night on our own website: www.originaldating.com/events/t/c/l/d/t/10409