💖 SLOW DATING+ 💖
A new way to meet men without the masks
Saturday 3 October 2026, 1:00pm–7:30pm
Gay men, do you want something more?
Speed dating for gay men in London? It's pretty dire to be honest!
Slow Dating+ is a full-day dating experience and workshop for gay men who want to meet in real life, have some fun, get past the usual boring “so where are you from and what do you do?" dating schtick, and see what can grow when you have more than a two minute speed date with someone.
You’ll spend the day meeting men through guided conversations, playful games, creative exercises, small groups, pairs and a platonic, non-sexual touch and massage workshop.
There is time to relax, to notice who makes you laugh, to discover who surprises you, to get a proper sense of someone beyond a photo, a profile or set of stats.
You might meet someone you want to date. You might meet someone you fancy. Or make a new friend, a lover, a creative collaborator.
Or a man you simply think: “I like this guy, I wonder where this could go?"
💌 And you’re invited…
So, what actually happens?
❤️ Getting past the awkward bit
We start together in a circle and set the guidelines, then move into some light, playful games and conversation prompts that get everyone talking quickly.
Don't worry, you won’t be left wandering around hoping someone talks to you first. Your host, Gary Albert, guides the room step by step, so you can arrive nervous, shy, excited, awkward or all four at once.
The guided games give you an easy reason to approach people and something real to talk about…
💬 Conversations that go somewhere
You’ll meet in pairs and small groups, with questions that get beyond dating CVs and small talk.
Some conversations are funny. Some are curious. Some get a little more personal. You might talk about the kind of love life you’d like to create, what you value in a relationship, dating-app disasters, what makes you feel safe with another man, or the questions you secretly wish men would ask you.
You choose how much you share. There is never pressure to reveal more than you want to.
🎲 Games, play and a bit of silliness
There’ll be creative games, movement and playful exercises throughout the day because dating can be much more fun when everyone has stopped trying to look cool.
Play gives you a different way to meet someone. You get to see how they laugh, cooperate, flirt, get curious and handle a little bit of gay chaos!
🍜 A proper lunch break
We take a proper break in the middle of the day. Broadway Market is right outside, with plenty of quick food and coffee options, so you can eat, get some air and carry on chatting naturally with anyone you’re enjoying.
🤲 Touch and Massage Workshop
Later in the day, we’ll explore platonic, non-sexual touch and massage.
I’ll teach you how to ask for the kind of touch you’d like, how to listen to what somebody else wants, and how to make clear requests such as: “Could you massage my shoulders a little more firmly?” or “Would you stroke my back really lightly?”
You can say no. You can change your mind. You can sit out any part of it. You never have to touch anyone or be touched if you do not want to.
It’s a chance to practise communication, boundaries, giving and receiving, and experience warm physical connection with another gay man without it needing to lead anywhere.
💌 A private way to stay connected
Near the end of the day, you’ll have a simple, private way to tell us who you would like to stay connected with afterwards. There will also be an optional Slow Dating+ WhatsApp post-group for anyone who wants to stay connected with the wider community afterwards.
👋 Who is it for?
Slow Dating+ is for gay men who want to meet other gay men in a slower, gentler, fun, more human way.
All ages, body type, background, colours, cultures, personality and relationship style attend.
You might be looking for a boyfriend, casual dating, friendship, intimacy, community, a lover, you might not know, or you simply want a better way to meet people.
Come as you are. You do not need to be extroverted, confident, spiritual, experienced at dating or good at games. You just need to be open to meeting people.
🎤 Your host
Hi, I’m Gary Albert.
I created Slow Dating+ because I wanted something I could not find elsewhere: a space for gay men to meet beyond the apps, booze, performing and trying to work out whether we are good enough or not too much for one another…
I also know how nerve-wracking it can be to walk into a room full of gay strangers. That is why the day is properly facilitated. I’ll hold the structure, explain every exercise clearly and make sure nobody is left on the edge of the room wondering what to do.
✍🏽 The details
📅 Saturday 3 October 2026
🕐 1:30pm–7:30pm
📍 Waking Dreams, 6b Ada Street, Broadway Market, London E8 4QU
🍷 Alcohol-free event
🍜 Food and coffee are easy to grab from Broadway Market during the lunch break
Come for a day of connection, laughter, conversation, play and meeting gay men in real life.