The Martlet

What: Speed Dating by the Rendezvous Club

Where: Jellyfish Lounge (1140 Government St.)

When: March 25 @ 7:30 p.m.

How much: $40 ages 19-27, $43 ages 28-35

Ready for a little free love and sex?

OK, it might not be free and the sex won’t happen that night, but head on down to the Jellyfish Lounge on Tuesday and you could be in for a flaming affair (eventually).

It’s called speed dating — better known to some as “how to land a potential mate in five minutes flat.”

It might sound intimidating, but the setup is so casual you won’t even have to split the bill.

Chris Hall, director of operations for the Rendezvous Club, said that after three successful years in Vancouver, the club is bringing all the dating hype over to the Island. And Hall expects a great turnout.

“This will be our first time in Victoria, but there’s a market for young singles here that often gets ignored,” Hall said.

The arrangement is simple. Arrive at 7:30 p.m., check in, play an icebreaker game, down a swig of courage (one free drink ticket is included with your admission) and let the fun begin. Groups are split according to age: 19-27 for one section, 28-35 for the other. Each lady sits at her own table, while the guys rotate from table to table, lingering for five minutes before the call tells them it’s time to switch. Depending on how your first date just went, you check “yes” or “no” on your itinerary sheet to receive that person’s contact info the next day. If that sounds like you might be inundated with phone numbers the next day, there’s a handy note section on your sheet to help you keep track. “It’s never a very good first impression to meet someone you think you like, then have to go back and ask them who they were,” Hall said, laughing.

Hall points out that depending on the chemistry, five minutes can seem like a moment or an eternity.

But the fate of your future relationship may be held in someone else’s hands. The organizers collect all the sheets at the end of the night, then forward the e-mail addresses only of those who match-up — that means your date has to check yes for you too.

“It takes away some of that uncomfortable awkwardness of having to ask for someone’s phone number at the end of the night,” said Hall.

After that, it’s up to the each person. Sure there’s a chance you might not meet your soul mate with all those eligible fly-bys, but Hall says it’s still worth it.

“Overall, those who come out to the events know we’re mainly here to put on a good time,” he said. “You’re going to meet a lot of outgoing people, but you don’t have to wind up married at the end of the night.”

And all that potential for around $40. While the price will deter those just out for a joke, love isn’t the only reason people are drawn to the Rendezvous Club. Hall added that many wind up meeting some of their best friends there.

“You’re in a situation where you’re meeting a brand new face every five minutes, and making friends is just a by-product of that,” Hall said. “The girls find single girlfriends to go hang out with; the same goes for the guys.”

But while plenty of people enjoy being single, Hall said the event offers the means to a basic human need: companionship. And they’ve had their share of real success stories. The club is happy to announce three marriages so far (not to mention a couple hundred second dates).

Depending on the success of the Victoria venue, Hall has high hopes for the event’s future: speed dating for gays, bi-sexuals and 65-and-over seniors to start with. Last year in Vancouver the Rendezvous club broke a world record with its Fastest Speed Dating of All Time event: 100 dates in 100 minutes.

“That was crazy,” Hall said. “You have one minute to impress someone, then you have to move onto the rest.”