Dear Pluto Speed Dating

As well as keeping the racks and shelves stacked with cool pre-loved pieces, Emma Daniels of Surry Hills vintage store Dear Pluto does her bit for affordable after-work entertainment. Swing by the shop on a Monday night and you’ll find the rails replaced with chairs and cushions and the back wall splashed with scenes from 80s film classics like The Breakfast Club.

Better still, on certain nights during the year you’ll find the shop floor covered in teeny-tiny tables and pairs of chairs, because Daniels also moonlights in matchmaking. To date, she’s held straight, gay, lesbian and student speed dating nights – each to varying degrees of success.

When I visited recently for her moustachioed speed dating party, I thought I had a good shot of meeting my John Hughes-loving match. But alas, it was not to be. Though the premise and execution of the event was great, the evening was let down by one crucial factor: male attendance. When I arrived – with two male friends in tow, I might add – I was greeted by a room full of impeccably dressed young women and only a couple of dapper young men. 

Maybe 20–30 year old men are, generally speaking, a little too timid for something as brazen as speed dating. Or perhaps the scheduling clash with Game 3 of the State of Origin had something to do with it. But, most likely, the poor testosterone turnout can be put down to the Dear Pluto mailing list, which, being a vintage clothing shop, is nearly entirely comprised of the softer sex.

Before the dating began, we singles drank and chatted – and even did a little shopping – and the informality made everyone feel at ease. At 8.30pm (the start time was pushed back half an hour in the hope that some more bachelors might turn up) Emma seated the first dates at their tables, while the leftover ladies continued to chat amongst themselves. I spent the first six or seven five-minute dating sessions on the bench, before launching into my first date of the evening with – oops! – my housemate.

He, along with our other male friend, had considerably more success than me – each locking down a date for the following week. This makes me confident that when the word does get out to the single men of Sydney, Dear Pluto speed dating will cause more hipster hook-ups than the drink specials at the Flinders.

Daniels’ next dating foray will happen at the end of February, so let’s rally the men and make it a good ’un. Entry costs a mere $3 and beer and wine will only set you back a couple of bones a pop. And hey, you can even bag an outfit for that follow-up date while you’re there.

Other Sydney speed dating events:

Fast Impressions
Can you meet your match on an eight-minute date? Time Out investigates...

Sci-Fi Speed Dating
A lightsabre love-in for the LGBT community

Singles Cooking Classes
Get your love life off the back burner