Written by Farah Adilah
Dating apps are out, and singles mixers are in – away with the mundane virtual swiping, matching, chatting, or worse, getting catfished or ghosted. With this new wave of dating events, you can now bring your dating profile to life by pitching yourself or having your most trusted friends wingman you IRL.
In an attempt to follow through with my 2025 resolution of finding a partner organically, I deleted all my dating apps and signed myself up for Fishbowl – a single’s pitch loosely inspired by the startup reality TV show, Shark Tank. Instead of introducing a new, revolutionary product, your friends get to pitch you to a room filled with other hopeful singles looking for a partner. They also get to show off their best presentation skills and egg you on during the mingling session.
Or if you’re feeling brave, you can swing solo and pitch yourself because nobody really knows you better than you know yourself. Don’t fret, your friends are welcome to join you for moral support. Before you sign up, here’s a rundown of what actually happens at a single’s pitch event:
Taking the bait
Joell, the brains behind Fishbowl and social mixer Dinner with Strangers (DWS), approached me to sign up and fill in for someone who had dropped out at the last minute. She said, “A spot has opened up for a hot new bombshell entering the villa”. I thoroughly enjoyed one of her earlier DWS events and thought it would be a good opportunity to try something more skewed to dating.
One of the requirements of participating was to prepare a pitch slideshow that had to be kept within three minutes. So my pitchers and I allowed our creative juices to flow and included some of my hobbies, fun facts, dealbreakers, photos and videos, and some testimonials from our closest friends. At the end, we even included a cheeky QR code to my personal Instagram account.
Casting the net
The third edition of Fishbowl took place at Tipsy Flamingo on February 13, the eve of Valentine’s Day – you could say that all the pitchers were cupids that night. It was a ticketed event that covered both entry and drinks, providing that much-needed liquid courage.
Prior to the event, Joell had shared the pitch sequence and revealed that mine was towards the end. This allowed me to fully immerse myself in the other creative and funny presentations, and it was great to cheer on all the singles and their pitchers. Each pitch was strictly capped at three minutes so everyone had a fair chance.
After the pitches, we mingled in smaller groups of five, with an even split of men and women. Every 20 minutes, the groups rotated, ensuring everyone had a chance to meet. By the end of the hour-long session, I had connected with almost all the singles, and many of us exchanged Instagram follows and name cards.
Reeling it in
Here are my key takeaways: There was a great balance of pairs, groups, and even a few brave solos, which made it interesting. I particularly enjoyed watching the pairs of girls who pitched each other – it was very wholesome and heartwarming to see people vouch for their besties. However, there was a noticeable lack of diversity in terms of gender and race. According to Joell, women are more inclined to sign up, and it’s usually a struggle to fill the slots for men.
Overall, the event was a welcoming and safe space for people from all walks of life to come together, have fun, and truly be themselves. Throughout the night, I saw a lot of courage and support, and there was a strong sense of community. Despite not finding a great catch (pun intended), two of the men I met sent me sweet messages after the event.
Pro tips on hooking a catch
After going through the experience myself, here are some tips for those who might be keen to sign up: Rehearse your presentation beforehand to ensure you stay under the three-minute mark, as you’ll be cut off once the timer runs out. If you have the time, consider adding something unique to your pitch, like showcasing an impressive skill to help you stand out. Most importantly, keep your heart and mind open. It’s all about maintaining a positive mindset and putting yourself out there without expecting anything in return.
Would I do this again? As an extrovert, absolutely. Would I recommend it? Yes, especially if you’re looking to step out of your comfort zone.
Single and interested in getting pitched? Follow Fishbowl on Instagram for updates on your next chance to bait a date. If you’re simply looking to make new friends instead, check out Dinner with Strangers on Instagram.
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