Lovestruck? Beginners’ guide to online dating at the Whisky Bar
By Patito, published on 19 March 2010
Recently single, The Guide decided 2010 was the time to give online dating a go. A year ago, we were handed a fun flyer in Westminster that announced: “I know someone who fancies you”. Our curiosity was aroused. Lovestruck.com is the latest arrival on the online dating scene. With sites for London, Edinburgh, Dublin, Singapore, New York, Hong Kong, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham, the reviews rave about this “brilliant London dating service” and emphasise its suitability for the “busy professional”. We like to think at The Prodigal Guide that we’re busy and fairly professional so, why not? Three weeks into the experiment, we went on our first date. 34 year old banker, Gregor from Norway was date number one. After a few amusing (but with the benefit of hindsight, admittedly sometimes awkward) email exchanges, we agreed to meet.
It was a Thursday night. We’d spent the day in meetings and were in need of a stiff drink and some good company. In arranging the date, Gregor was assertive, yet practical. We’re both on the Jubilee line, so why not meet at 7.15 at Green Park. Why not indeed? Wearing a bright pink pashmina to make ourselves easily identifiable, we stood waiting for the appearance of date number one. The anticipation, nerves and excitement were building.
Here’s the first tip of online dating. Or any dating for that matter. Do not lie about your height. You will get found out. Immediately. Having checked the height he claimed to be before setting out on this date, we thought we’d be safe in our favourite pink suede heels. Uh oh. “So, where shall we go?” we asked, wondering if he had noticed what we had noticed. “How about a hotel bar, they’re always very cosy”. Now for the Londoners reading this, when you think of hotel bars, their cosiness is not the first thing that necessarily springs to mind. Another certain kind of professional is a regular customer, especially around Mayfair, so it’s not always The Guide’s first choice for a date. But, with an open mind, we replied: “that sounds nice, which one do you recommend?” We walked down the street to the Athenaeum Hotel on Piccadilly.
The Whisky Bar is indeed cosy, and it didn’t appear that anyone was working the room. We took a seat in the corner. Gregor sat on the sofa. Almost immediately, we were distracted by a knock. “Oops”, said Gregor having knocked the drinks cabinet with a slightly nervous gesture. We smiled, reassuringly. “What would you like?”, he asked leafing the drinks menu. “A dry Martini, please”. The waitress was upon us and Gregor, not having made a decision, took a random spontaneous decision: “a Martini Energiser”. The Guide applauds a desire to try new things but a gin, lychee and peach liqueur, rose water, cucumber and yoghurt Martini? You cannot be serious. When it arrived, it looked like milk with a cucumber slice (skin and all) as garnish. Appetising it was not. Poor Gregor. On the other hand, our Martini was OUTSTANDING! Just how we like it.
As we were savouring the talent of this top London hotel barman, there came that sound again: “bonk”. This time the drinks cabinet light went out. “Bonk.” “See, now I can dim the lights and switch them back on again,” said Gregor, with an awkward smile. “Here’s an idea”, we said, “let’s put a cushion up on the sofa.” We placed a cushion between the sofa and Gregor. He swiftly re-positioned himself so his elbow could still reach the cabinet. “Bonk.” “Oh, that doesn’t seem to be working.”
Our delightful waiter came over to check our drinks. We politely stated that we were fine. We asked Gregor if it was perhaps time to make a move. He agreed and we stepped out into the London night. He walked back to Green Park and The Guide headed for the Number 14 bus home, via Marks & Spencer where we picked up a vegetarian jalfrezi with basmati rice.
The Martini was great. Not sure about this online dating. See you in a week for date number two.
Whisky Bar, The Athenaeum, 116 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 7BJ, Tel: +44 20 7640 3557
Lovestruck? Beginners’ guide to online dating at the Whisky Bar
Recently single, The Guide decided 2010 was the time to give online dating a go. A year ago, we were handed a fun flyer in Westminster that announced: “I know someone who fancies you”. Our curiosity was aroused. Lovestruck.com is the latest arrival on the online dating scene. With sites for London, Edinburgh, Dublin, Singapore, [...]
4 Responses to “Lovestruck? Beginners’ guide to online dating at the Whisky Bar”
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Oh my God, I love it. Please write more!!! You might inspire me to do the same.!
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Patito
20 March 2010
Thank you, Krista. Tune in next week!
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[...] 27 March 2010 tags: Benugo Bar & Kitchen, Hendrick's gin by Patito A week on from our first Lovestruck date, it was time to meet date number 2. Andy, a 31 year-old Englishman with a cat called Pandora, [...]
The Prodigal Fool
19 March 2010
Two more martinis and I suspect this tale would have had a very different ending…