A Single's Guide to Dating in Vienna
Austria’s capital is undoubtedly one of Europe’s most romantic cities – just look to Before Sunrise, the 1995 drama that tells the tale of two strangers who meet on a train and spend an enchanting night exploring Vienna’s beautiful streets. Here’s how to navigate the city as a singleton.
Dating Apps
Meeting someone on the internet, although some may consider it unromantic, has become as commonplace as meeting someone in real life. According to recent studies, meeting a romantic interest online is now the second most common way that singletons find love. Therefore, it isn’t a bad road to take if you’re looking for a romantic liaison, especially if you’re new to a city.
Tinder and Grindr are among the most obvious choices, however, if you’re looking to try something local, and a bit unusual, then consider downloading ‘Whispar’, an app set up by Austrian entrepreneur Florian Gutmann. Whispar allows users to introduce themselves with voice messages, immediately cutting out the never-ending tedious texting part.
Speed Dating
If internet dating isn’t your thing, there are alternatives. Speed dating can trigger mixed reactions – trepidation, fear and amusement amongst others. On the one hand, it’s a tricky task to form a reliable opinion about a person in such a short space of time, but on the other, if the first 5 minutes of the date make you want to do a runner, then it’s reassuring to know that the person sitting opposite you will be forced to move on soon.
Whispar, the aforementioned Austrian app, also offer cocktail evenings for singletons so keep an eye out for upcoming events around Vienna on their website. Meet Up is a popular organisation that helps people get acquainted with others when they’re new to a city, and they hold various Speed Dating events throughout the year. City Speed Dating also put on events weekly.
Old Style
Of course, if none of the above floats your boat, there are always the old-fashioned courting methods – talk to a stranger in a real life, strike up a conversation in a bar or, in the manner of Before Sunrise, chat on a train.