Dating app fatigue is driving singles to seek alternative ways to meet people, and a new trend is emerging: 'pitch your friend' events. At these gatherings, instead of promoting themselves, attendees present a slideshow about a single friend, complete with anecdotes and green flags. The concept, popularised by Pitch and Pair in the US, has now arrived in London.
One attendee, who wished to remain anonymous, attended a Pitch and Pair event in London. She described the event as well-organised, with a cheerful host who put participants at ease. However, she noted a significant disparity: many attendees were not there to be pitched or to pitch, but simply to watch, treating the event like a comedy show.
The reviewer also discovered that several presenters were experienced comedians, brought in to entertain the audience. This meant that regular participants faced tougher competition and the audience might not take the pitches seriously. 'How do we know someone is actually single if their friend is clearly doing a skit?' she asked.
Despite these drawbacks, the event offered a structured format: each pitcher had a few minutes and a slideshow, followed by an informal Q&A. Afterwards, attendees could mingle or connect through the organisers. Similar events include Date My Mate at Hope & Anchor in Brixton and Pitch Your Friend at BAM Karaoke in Victoria.
The reviewer concluded that while the concept is promising, the execution at Pitch and Pair leaned more towards entertainment than genuine matchmaking. She suggested that those seeking a serious dating opportunity might prefer events where all attendees are actively participating in the pitching process.
