Best Speed Dating in Portland: Top Companies & Events for Every Age

Speed dating in Portland has become essential for singles navigating the city's quirky, introverted dating culture. With over 350,000 singles in the Portland metro area and the city's reputation for making it hard to break into social circles, speed dating offers a structured way to meet like-minded Portlanders.

From Pearl District wine bar events to East Side brewery speed dating, from vegan singles meetups to LGBTQ+ gatherings—Portland's speed dating scene reflects the city's progressive, creative, and eco-conscious culture.

Here are the best speed dating companies and organizers in Portland, organized by age and demographic.

Speed Dating for Singles in Their 20s and 30s

MyCheekyDate / SpeedPortland Dating

Founded: 2007 Coverage: 70+ cities worldwide Price Range: $30-$75 Age Ranges: 22-32, 24-36, 25-39, 29-42, 32-44, 36-48

Website: speedportlanddating.com | mycheekydate.com Eventbrite: SpeedPortland Dating Organizer

SpeedPortland Dating (part of the MyCheekyDate family) brings boutique-style sophistication to Portland's speed dating scene, offering a curated alternative to the city's awkward bar culture since 2007.

What Makes Them Stand Out: "UK style" sophistication with Smart-Card mobile matching technology. No whistles, name tags, or over-the-top party trappings—just intimate, well-hosted events at Portland's most stylish venues. Selective admission ensures quality crowds in a city known for being hard to crack socially. They reward "lovely daters" with discounts while refusing service to those who don't meet standards.

Format: Host-led with 6-7 minute dates, mobile scorecards, curated crowds. Premium experience at upscale Portland locations.

Venues: Pearl District, Downtown Portland, Hawthorne, Alberta Arts District—Portland's trendiest neighborhoods

Pros: Premium experience, established reputation (since 2007), sophisticated venues, tickets never expire, BBB A-rated, 25,000+ past events nationally, featured on NBC, Bravo, TLC.

Cons: Higher prices ($30-$75), selective admission may exclude some, smaller event sizes than mass-market competitors.

Best For: Creative professionals and tech workers ages 22-48 seeking upscale experience, people tired of awkward Portland bar scene, daters who value sophistication and curation, those willing to pay premium for quality.

Pre-Dating Speed Dating

Founded: 2001 Coverage: 70+ cities across US and Canada Price Range: $23-$35 per event Age Ranges: 20s, 30s, 20s/30s, 30s/40s

Website: pre-dating.com/portland Eventbrite: Pre-Dating Organizer (420+ events nationally)

Pre-Dating is America's largest and oldest speed dating company with over 38,000 events since 2001. Their Portland presence serves downtown, East Side neighborhoods, Beaverton, and surrounding suburbs.

What Makes Them Stand Out: Most established brand with 24-year track record. Most affordable pricing. Professional hosts create comfortable atmosphere for introverted Portland singles. Coverage across Portland metro including suburbs. Featured on CNN, BBC, NPR.

Format: Traditional speed dating with 6-minute conversations, 8-12 potential matches, scorecard system, mutual match notifications within 24-48 hours.

Pros: Most affordable ($23-$35), established reputation, professional hosts, suburban coverage (Beaverton, Lake Oswego, Tigard), welcoming for Portland's introverts.

Cons: Traditional format may feel formulaic compared to Portland's quirky culture, email-only matching (no app).

Best For: Professionals ages 20-50 seeking traditional speed dating, budget-conscious daters, people living in Portland suburbs, introverts who need structured format, those who value established reputation.

Portland Speed Dating & Singles Events

Founded: 2018 Events: 8 upcoming on Eventbrite Technology: Secret RSVP live-matching app Age Range: 20s-50s Format: Weekly virtual and in-person speed dating and mixer events

Eventbrite: Portland Speed Dating & Singles Events Organizer (8 events) Website: thefun.singles/portland

Established in 2018, Portland Speed Dating & Singles Events has organized over a thousand events nationwide. They offer weekly virtual and in-person events specifically for fun, active, single professionals in greater Portland who want to have a good time in a laid-back environment.

What Makes Them Stand Out: Consistent weekly schedule perfect for Portland's busy professionals. Mix of online and in-person events provides flexibility for introverted Portlanders who might ease in with virtual first. Laid-back environment matches Portland's casual culture—no pressure, just opportunities to expand your social circle or find a date. Tech-forward approach with app-based live matching during events. Interactive games and activities replace traditional rotations, feeling more like Portland house parties than formal dating setups.

Format: Interactive group speed dating with live matching via app. Traditional speed dating also available. Weekly online and in-person events mean frequent opportunities.

Pros: 8 upcoming events shows active Portland schedule, established track record (1,000+ events nationwide since 2018), weekly frequency gives multiple chances, both virtual and in-person options, laid-back Portland vibe, perfect for introverts who need structured format.

Cons: Newer company compared to Pre-Dating, group format may not appeal to those seeking traditional one-on-one rotations.

Best For: Tech-savvy Portland singles ages 20-50, introverts who prefer low-pressure mingling, people who want frequent event options, Portland transplants seeking community, those who value both virtual and in-person flexibility.

Speed Dating for Singles Over 40

Pre-Dating (Ages 30s/40s, 40-55, 50-65, 65+)

Age Ranges: 30s/40s, 40-55, 50-65, 65+ Coverage: Portland, Beaverton, suburbs Price: $23-$35 Specialty: Senior Speed Dating

Website: pre-dating.com/portland Over 50 Landing Page: Senior Speed Dating Eventbrite: Pre-Dating Organizer

Pre-Dating is the most reliable provider for mature singles 40+ in Portland with dedicated age brackets for 30s/40s, 40-55, 50-65, and 65+.

Why It Works for 40+: Traditional no-tech format with simple scorecards appeals to mature daters. Accessible venues throughout Portland metro. Professional hosts create comfortable atmosphere. 24-year track record attracts quality mature crowds. Suburban coverage (Beaverton, Lake Oswego, Tigard) perfect for Portland-area professionals and retirees.

Best For: Singles ages 40-65+ seeking traditional speed dating, people living in Portland suburbs, mature daters who value established reputation, seniors wanting no-tech approach.

MyCheekyDate / SpeedPortland (Ages 36-48, 40-55)

Age Ranges: 36-48, 40-55 Style: Upscale boutique Price: $40-$75

Website: speedportlanddating.com Eventbrite: SpeedPortland Dating Organizer

SpeedPortland Dating offers upscale speed dating for mature professionals ages 36-55 at sophisticated Portland venues.

Why It Works for 40+: Mature creative professionals and tech workers appreciate refined atmosphere and selective admission. Quality over quantity approach. Premium pricing filters for serious, established daters with resources.

Best For: Affluent professionals ages 36-55, mature singles seeking upscale experience, people willing to invest in quality.

LGBTQ+ Speed Dating in Portland

MyCheekyGayDate

Focus: Gay men speed dating Coverage: Major cities nationwide Price: $35-$75

Website: mycheekydate.com Eventbrite: Portland LGBTQ Events on Eventbrite

MyCheekyGayDate (part of MyCheekyDate family) provides upscale speed dating for gay men in Portland.

Best For: Gay men ages 22-55 seeking sophisticated speed dating, people who value curated events.

Portland LGBTQ+ Community Organizations

Resources: Multiple Portland-based LGBTQ+ organizations host speed dating

Eventbrite: Portland LGBTQ Events Meetup: Portland LGBTQ+ Groups

Portland has a vibrant, progressive LGBTQ+ community throughout the city with various organizations hosting speed dating for lesbian, bi, trans, queer, and non-binary singles.

Best For: LGBTQ+ singles seeking community-based events, people wanting Portland-specific LGBTQ+ options, queer and trans-inclusive spaces.

Alternative Singles Events in Portland

Outdoor and Active Portland Culture

Portland's outdoor culture creates unique singles opportunities:

  • Hiking Groups: Forest Park, Powell Butte, Columbia River Gorge singles hikes
  • Cycling: Portland bike culture means tons of singles cycling groups
  • Running: Portland Running Company groups, waterfront running clubs
  • Rock Climbing: Portland Rock Gym, Circuit Bouldering Gym singles nights
  • Skiing/Snowboarding: Mt. Hood singles trips and ski bus groups
  • Kayaking: Willamette River paddle groups

Food, Drink, and Arts Scene

  • Brewery Culture: Impossible to overstate—Portland has 70+ breweries with singles events
  • Coffee Shop Culture: Third-wave coffee shops as natural meeting places
  • Food Cart Pods: Casual meetup spots throughout the city
  • First Thursday: Pearl District gallery walk (singles minglin g)
  • Farmers Markets: PSU Saturday Market, other markets as social scenes
  • Trivia Nights: Tons of singles trivia teams at neighborhood bars
  • Vegan/Vegetarian Events: Plant-based dining and cooking classes for conscious singles

Quirky Portland-Specific Events

  • Naked Bike Ride: World Naked Bike Ride Portland (yes, singles go)
  • Adult Soapbox Derby: Mt. Tabor races (fun social event)
  • Pedalpalooza: Month-long bike festival with themed rides
  • Pickles Baseball: Minor league games as casual date nights
  • Powell's Books: Book club meetups and literary events

Neighborhood Dating Scene Guide

Portland's distinct neighborhoods each have unique dating cultures shaped by the "Portland Freeze" (difficulty breaking into social circles):

  • Pearl District: Upscale-for-Portland crowd 30-50, wine bars and First Thursday art walks. Condo dwellers, tech workers, established professionals. Most "big city" feel, parking challenges.
  • Alberta Arts District: Creative professionals 25-40, artists, musicians, quirky bars and galleries. More affordable than Pearl, younger demographic, Last Thursday street fairs, very walkable.
  • Hawthorne/Division: Peak "Keep Portland Weird" 25-38 crowd. Vintage shops, vegan restaurants, dive bars meets craft cocktails. Hipsters who've been here 10+ years, nostalgic for "old Portland."
  • Mississippi Avenue: Similar vibe to Alberta but slightly less scenester. Breweries, casual restaurants, 28-42 demographic. Good middle ground between hip and approachable.
  • Northwest 23rd (Nob Hill): Affluent 30-55, established professionals, upscale shopping. More traditional dating scene, less ironic than East Side. Parking easier than Pearl.
  • St. Johns: Working-class neighborhood gentrifying fast. Ages 28-45, families and singles, Cathedral Park. More genuine/less pretentious, good beer at St. Johns Beer Porch.
  • Sellwood: Family-oriented 35-60, antique shopping district, suburban feel within city. More conservative than inner Portland, divorced singles market.
  • Downtown: Mostly office workers 25-50, after-work happy hour culture. Empties out evenings/weekends as people retreat to neighborhoods.
  • Beaverton/Tigard/Lake Oswego (Suburbs): Tech workers (Nike, Intel), family-oriented 35-60. More traditional values than inner Portland, good parking, Pre-Dating events.
  • East of 82nd: More diverse, working-class, Asian and immigrant communities. Often overlooked but vibrant food scene, ages vary widely, less expensive.

Portland Dating Culture Notes

  • "Portland Freeze": Notorious difficulty breaking into social circles. Locals seem friendly but hard to become actual friends. Speed dating helps bypass this.
  • Transplant vs. Local Divide: Huge influx 2010-2020 created tension. Locals claim transplants "ruined" Portland. Both groups attend speed dating.
  • Outdoorsy Expectations: Even couch potatoes claim to "love hiking." Forest Park, Powell Butte, Gorge hikes are standard date territory.
  • Political Homogeneity: Very liberal city means less political dating friction than most places, but also groupthink. Everyone recycles, bikes, hates cars (while driving).
  • Quirky Culture: Embrace of weirdness can make dating feel performative. People compete to be most unique/authentic, which is ironically inauthentic.
  • Casual Everything: Extremely casual dress code. Flannel acceptable almost everywhere. Overdressing is worse sin than underdressing.
  • Food Scene: Third-wave coffee, craft beer, farm-to-table obsession. Knowing good food carts is social currency. Vegan/vegetarian very common.

Where to Find Events

  • Eventbrite: Portland Speed Dating Events - Find events from Portland Speed Dating & Singles Events (8 events), Pre-Dating (420+ nationally), SpeedPortland/MyCheekyDate
  • Meetup: Portland Singles Meetup Groups - Extremely active with outdoor, social, and hobby-based groups
  • Company Websites: Sign up for email lists for event notifications