Quit Tinder: circuit dating is coming to Manchester

Manchester is full all sorts of dating hopefuls, from those dolling themselves up at the weekend and hitting Deansgate Locks, to those heading off on a gap-yah to find themselves and reel in some quirky bearded traveller.

Whether you want to bag yourself a Tarzan lookalike who wears tie-dye t-shirts and wears dreadlocks or a clean cut kid who looks like he’s just stepped off the set of Love Island, Manchester is a hub of all sorts of potentials and all sorts of attractions.

We have the Northern Quarter, capital of man buns, beards and retro renewal. Here you’ll be whisked away by your bearded beauty to an underground bar or maybe a soup kitchen.

You’ll order some sort of trendy niche drink served up in a canister and accompanied by a sky-high price tag because all of the ingredients are organic and cruelty-free. The vintage lime and rosebud-infused gin you’re sipping will go down a treat as your date shows off his tattoos, two of which he etched himself whilst climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Maybe he’ll share his eclectic music tastes with you as you chomp down a midnight hotdog at Sugar Rays.

Whatever you decide to do, the exposed brick work and the bare light bulbs of the Northern Quarter, complete with the very art deco cosy vibes of the place you’re sitting in will complement the conversation you’re having perfectly. Probably best to stay away from talking about who’s been voted out of Love Island and Big Brother and stick to where to get the best avocados and draught beer.

Clean shaven men await in the bars of Deansgate Locks. Think tattoos, fake tan and alcohol. Lots of it. The glam-looking girls might feel a little intimidated by lads with beauty regimes to give them a run for their money. And Spinningfields boasts a whole list of hunky suited and booted gents. No fake Mulbs at this joint.

This dating nightlife is all well and good but some people are just not into it. They sit at home and complain that there are no catches left or all the good one’s are taken. Hence the birth of dating apps. Cringe as you may, they’ve taken Manchester by storm, and swiping right to find the one has become a bit of a millennial habit.

If none of the above is for you, there’s a solution. If you’re single, ready to mingle and like a bit of fitness on the side too, a new speed dating event is hitting our fair city next month.

The Dating Circuit was set up by fitness freak and personal trainer Gemma Gorman who was sick of apps and gimmicky singles websites. Singles get to workout together in a circuit and then mingle with each other over a complementary tipple after the event.

“It’s a great way to bypass dating apps and actually meet someone over a shared passion and see if sparks fly,” says Gemma.

We couldn’t agree more. If you fancy popping down to the first event that hits Manchester’s Lock 91 on 20th September, click here.