Can’t fave the whole desperate idea of speed dating? Why not try meeting your match over a martini?

Playing the dating game used to be the luck of the draw. Those looking for love – in bars, clubs or done alleyway – could wind up with a virtual smorgasbord of suiters: the good, the bad , the slightly odd, of course, the rich and attractive ones who whisked you away to an island paradise (what, that didn’t happen to you?)

Then we got fussy. No longer do we want an infinite pool of partners; we want exact, concise checklists with all the boxes ticked. Forget the smorgasbord – when it comes to dating, we’re on a very special diet. Which explains the recent explosion of boutique services tailored to a particular idea of what (or rather, who) you believe is the best for you.

Out of 26 hopeful speed daters, the most popular girl had 14 yes votes and the top bloke had 13.

The Cocktail Creation event, which cost $89 a head, let to about 26 possible follow-up dates. Not bad odds for a night on the town!

Does size really matter? Another tall story from our height-advantaged correspondent, Nick Tabakoff, as he sallies forth in search of love.

At Tasting Dating – 12 gourmet courses, matched with wine and dates, for $129 – I figured that if the men were boring, I could bury myself in the pate and pinot. I needn’t have worried: they were all charming, chatty, extraordinarily nice – and in some cases, very good-looking.

Fast Life on TV

This story features a Degustation Dating event. The participants at this event really came out of their shell for the cameras... you don't normally see people kissing during their dates, but it does happen!

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I was very impressed with Fast Impressions
— it was very hip — and I like that you don't sign yourself up for events, rather they invite you to events that are best suited to the type of person you want to meet. It's a great way to pretty much guarantee you'll come away from the night with a damn good chance of getting a date with someone.

The concept of being wined and dined in style by 10 gorgeous women was too great a temptation for 5 of the boys at Channel 7 to resist. So "Sunrise" sent the single boys out to taste test Fast Impressions Degustation Dating.

Not all speed dating agencies are the same. In our trials, the FastLife service is far and away the best.

Wednesday, 7.45pm. I'm drinking in a fashionable inner-city bar surrounded by 10 good-looking guys, all of whom have paid to speak to me. I'm excited, flattered and slightly nervous. I imagine the other nine girls standing next to me feel exactly the same.