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August 29, 2022

Time to Disconnect from Digital Dating

Cosmo Landesman has become a familiar face at our social events and private dinners. It was interesting to read his take on online dating in the Telegraph.

As Cosmo rightly says, many of us have become disillusioned or downright fed up with online dating. Date fatigue is ubiquitous. Another day, another dating friend tells me they have deleted their apps. But we forget how when they first appeared in our lives, they seemed so wonderful and liberating.

But where could he meet that someone who would become his One? The One. What kind of someone did he want to meet? Would they want to meet him? Online dating sites seemed to have all the answers to all his questions and the solutions to his anxieties about finding love.

Cosmo Landesman: ‘Anything has to be better than another night with a stranger who looked nothing like their profile, listening to them bang on about their ex’.

Rather a lovely recommendation

Not long ago, one of my online dates took me to an offline dating group called Rendezvous. Here, I got to have a nice drink in a classy setting and meet lots of people. It made me question my whole online future – why was I spending time and money with ­people who, if I had met them in real life, I would never have asked out for a date? It was time to stop being desperate and become more discriminating. Or maybe it’s time to disconnect from online dating?

Rendezvous creates an environment where single professional people can meet without all the pressure of the online dating scene. Each party has the vibe of an impromptu celebration. Our regular guests are welcoming, laid back, but lively. Instead of the usual chat-up routines, everyone engages in conversation.

Our small team helps introduce people, mixing up the crowd to create a relaxed environment where you can be yourself. You don’t have to act or ­pretend to be someone you’re not the way you feel compelled to on a one-to-one date.

Join us at one of our socials

March 26, 2022

Love Surgery featuring Cosmo Landesman & Rowen Pelling

Wednesday 23th March

28:50 By Night | 76 Jason Court | Wigmore St | London | W1U 2SJ

What an evening it was!  This must have been the best cocktail party and fun therapy session we have ever run. In the decadent basement of 28-50 By Night, we were entertained by former legendary editor of The Erotic Review, Rowen Pelling and former Sunday Times dating columnist Cosmo Landesman. They kicked off the night with frank and funny talk about Love, Dating, Romance – and everything you were afraid to ask…but did anyway!

” A Rendezvous event is always something special. But this one exceeded all expectations. Great atmosphere. Great crowd. And Rowan and I had a brilliant time. ” Cosmo Landesman …. available for marriage!

As he says his most memorable moment was when he asked one of the beautiful lady guests if she would like to get married?” and she said, “Yes – but only to you!”

We sipped on glasses of the sparkling Villa Folini, Prosecco. We ate taste-tickling canapes including wild mushroom tarts, artichoke tempura with aioli. Honey roasted fig and serrano ham and rhubarb and custard tarts, prepared by Head Chef Kris Wysocki. 28:50’s team extraordinaire included Riccardo, Helena, Eve, George and Bryan.  And least we forgot the marvellous Jen Atkins Head of Marketing, overseeing the night with energetic enthusiasm!

Jazz After Party

And we stayed late! Guests continued to mingle and enjoy the effortless repertoire of the Stella Angelika Quartet.  As the night got later, there were plenty of people dancing, and quite some moves, and shapes were made! 

The vibe was upbeat and happy. Who would have thought that for so many of the guests, this was their first experience of Rendezvous.  We look forward to welcoming you back to our May drinks party and our July Dancing Party.

Some lovely feedback –

Dear Barbara,

I just wanted to say thank you, Louise and everyone else, for a fun evening at love surgery. Looking forward to the next event!

All the best, M x

Dear Barbara

As always it was lovely to see you on Wed. I found Rowan and Cosmo highly entertaining, I could have listened to them for so much a lot longer!

Best C x

Dear Barbara 

Thank you so much for organising such a wonderful evening last night. I had a great time and had many interesting and fun chats. 

It was so good to meet you and also Lou. You were both so welcoming and friendly which made all the difference. 

Warmest regards F x

Dear Barbara,

It was so nice meeting you yesterday. Your hospitality is amazing, I really enjoyed the evening. Keep me updated about any upcoming events please. 

Kind regards Z x

March 7, 2022

February’s Jazz Dinner – Boisdale

Wednesday 23rd February

Boisdale of Belgravia | 15 Eccleston Street | London | SW1W 9LX 

It felt so convivial and decadent, almost like a speak-easy at our wonderful Boisdale Jazz dinner last week in Belgravia. Boisdale is one of those, you never know what’s going to happen, type of restaurants; you’ve just got to roll with how you are feeling on the night.  Spontaneity puts the fun and spice in our lives.

So, this is how we do it, a bit different to our usual stand-up drink and mingle events. We bring together a wonderful group of like-minded people for an enjoyable sit-down dinner and drinks and a good old fashioned chat, all from the comfort of those things called chairs.

Boisdale’s MD helps us out by mixing up his Single friends with our guests, keeping it lively and entertaining.  I move the group around a few times, without being too pushy, just enough to keep the conversations flowing.

With the charming Boisdale backdrop of excellent live music, our group of men and women, (10 of each), enjoyed excellent conversation with a certain amount of fun cheekiness.

To join the waitlist for our next Jazz dinner – please do email me.  They sell out quickly, but we will do more!


January 29, 2022

First Party of 2022 – Deal Breakers

Wednesday 26th January

Martinez | 49 Greek Street | W1D 4EG

What a way to start 2022, Martinez was full to the brim with singles looking to socialize.  We enjoyed mixing up new and regular guests in the wonderful Martinez in Soho; fun was definitely on the agenda.

Our special guest Sara Davison, The Divorce Coach talked openly about the importance of not just focusing on what you want but identifying the five must NOT have these are the deal breakers for you.

From Sara Davison

“Wow what a fun evening with such a wonderful crowd! I was honored to be invited to speak and bring some of my Accredited Breakup and Divorce Coaches to offer support and advice. 

January is always a busy month for breakups as the festive season puts so much pressure on relationships. I spoke about how to avoid the pitfalls of dating and shared my tips on learning to trust again after a divorce.  

Remember to have your list of up to 5 Dating Deal Breakers! These are things that you know you will not work for you long term in a relationship and are absolute must not haves from a partner. If they come up, you deploy your parachute and leave! 

I loved meeting you all and hope you find what you’re looking for very soon. 

For more information about Coaching sessions with Sara and her team, or training to become a Coach with Sara visit www.saradavison.com or book a call to speak to our team here.”

https://calendly.com/marinaky/10-minute-consultation-call?month=2020-09

Many of you spent time with her team so we would like to thank Lucy, Angela, Mick and Michelle.

Marvelous  Martinez

We loved sharing our favorite secret club with you. So many compliments on this plush, dimly lit space for its charm, mystery and intrigue. The nibbles by Michelin-starred chef Hervé Deville were hoovered up in seconds.

Their mixologist delighted in creating line-ups of vintage cocktails and much-loved classics. Members remember you have three months complimentary membership so you can drop in for a cozy cocktail this spring.

Thank you to the team Maurice Marshall and Izzy Lyth who hosted this unforgettable night.  I believe cocktails, conversations and camaraderie were flowing into the early hours of Thursday.

Single socializing should be fun, so don’t put the pressure on to find Mr or Ms Right. Mr or Ms right now will be fine. Join us to meet a room full of singles that will help you get back into dating and boost your confidence.

Let’s keep meeting people and having fun.

Some lovely feedback

Dear Barbara,

Firstly, Thank you (& Lou plus everyone else) for an amazing evening. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting everyone, and Sara’s great tips! Martinez is a fantastic place, and everyone was lovely. 

Good morning, Barbara

It was a pleasure to see you last Wednesday. It was a great event and I met splendid people. 

Hiya,

What a fab evening: I really enjoyed seeing you again –  and meeting new people!

Once again, thank you for organising these events!

Dear Barbara and Lou,

What a fabulous evening you hosted for everyone last night. Such fun to see you both looking gorgeous and not a day older, catch up with old familiar faces and meet new friends. I had such a lovely time

Take care until we meet again.

Good evening, Barbara

What a delightful evening – we both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

Keep us both posted – it was lovely to be out and lovely to meet your sparkle.