News & Advice
Dating tips, event insights, and stories from the world of Lock & Key. Fresh advice to help you make the most of every connection.
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Lock & Key as Seen in MIAMI LIVING: We found the key to unlock a fun night and a chance to meet Mr. or Mrs. Right.
Miami Living's Marta A. Oppenheimer attended her first Lock & Key Event and found the answer to the age-old question: where do you meet people?
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Pre-Dating | Lock & Key ranked #31 on the Top 50 Women-Owned Businesses list by the South Florida Business Journal
Pre-Dating Speed Dating is proud to be recognized as one of South Florida's Top 50 Women-Owned Businesses by the South Florida Business Journal — ranked #31 by 2024 total revenue across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.
Featured on Milwaukee Tonight: Lock & Key Singles Event at Milwaukee Brewing Co
Our trademarked Lock & Key Singles Party came to Milwaukee Brewing Company and Distillery — and NBC WTMJ-TV's 'Milwaukee Tonight' came along to see why so many matches were made.
As Seen On NBC TMJ4 News: Looking for Love at a Lock & Key Dating Event
When singles in Milwaukee want a unique and fun way to meet, they put down their phones and join us at our in-person Lock & Key singles event. NBC's WTMJ-TV stopped by to see the magic firsthand.
10 First Date Tips to Make a Lasting Impression
First dates can be nerve-wracking, but a little preparation goes a long way. From conversation starters to dressing the part, here are ten tips to help you feel confident and make a genuine connection.
How to Mingle with Confidence at Singles Events
Lock & Key Events give you a perfect way to meet other singles, but in general going to an event isn't easy for everyone. Learn simple, proven techniques to break the ice, keep conversations flowing, and actually enjoy yourself.
Lock & Key Events Explained: Why This Format Works
Curious what makes Lock & Key different from other singles events? We break down the concept, the psychology behind it, and why it leads to more real conversations.
Dating in Your 40s: What's Changed and What Hasn't
Re-entering the dating scene after 40 comes with its own set of joys and challenges. Here's what to expect and how to approach it with optimism.
Spotting Red Flags Early in a New Connection
Excitement can cloud judgment. Learn the early warning signs to watch for so you can protect your heart and your time while staying open to real love.
Conversation Starters That Actually Work
Forget the tired small talk. These open-ended questions and prompts are designed to spark meaningful conversations at your next event.
What to Expect at Your First Lock & Key Event
From check-in to the final raffle drawing, here's a step-by-step walkthrough of what happens at a Lock & Key event so you can show up relaxed and ready to mingle.
Moving from the Event to a Real Date: Safety First
You made a connection — now what? Practical, safety-first tips for planning a first one-on-one date after meeting someone at a singles event.
Body Language Basics for Singles Events
Your posture, eye contact, and smile speak before you do. Learn how to read others and project warmth and confidence without saying a word.
Why In-Person Singles Events Still Beat Dating Apps
Swiping fatigue is real. Here's why showing up in person leads to better connections, more memorable conversations, and fewer dead-end matches.
DatingAdvice.com: Lock & Key Events Create Low-Pressure, High-Success Dating Opportunities for Singles in 38 American Cities
DatingAdvice.com editor-in-chief Hayley Matthews profiled Lock & Key Events — the fun atmosphere and compelling icebreaker you won't find at standard mixers — with success stories from our own event coordinators.
Poughkeepsie Journal: Single? Try a Lock and Key Mixer at Mahoney's Pub
Lindsay Pietroluongo of the Poughkeepsie Journal's Nightspots column covered our Hudson Valley Lock & Key mixer at Mahoney's Irish Pub — where every key has a lock, and every lock has a story.
Santa Barbara News-Press: Open Your Heart — Local Matchmaker to Host Lock and Key Singles Party
By Dave Mason, News-Press Staff Writer — Guys, it may never be this easy to unlock your true love's heart. Men held the keys — literally — at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club, where women wore locks around their necks.
Chicago Tribune Lock & Key events one of the smartest ways Chicago singles are meeting
The Chicago Tribune examined how the rules of dating have changed — and featured Lock & Key events as one of the smartest new ways Chicago singles are meeting each other.
AM New York: It's a Date! Ways to Find a Significant Other in the City
AM New York named Lock & Key Events one of the most innovative ways to meet people in New York — praising the built-in icebreaker, the prizes, and the light-hearted fun.
CNN.com: Dating Menus — You Can Change Yours
CNN.com featured Lock & Key events in a national story about the many ways singles can change up their dating routine — from speed dating to our signature lock-and-key parties.
Lock & Key Featured in Essence Magazine: Truth or Dare Dating Challenge
Essence, the nation's leading magazine for Black women, dared readers to rev up their love lives in 28 days — and tipped Lock & Key parties as the way to do it.
Santa Barbara Magazine: Key to Your Heart
Santa Barbara Magazine spotlighted our Lock & Key parties with 'Key to Your Heart' — a look at how matching hardware turns a room of strangers into a night of possibilities.
Lock and Key: The Key to Finding the Love of Your Life May Just Be a Night Away
A firsthand account of our Lock & Key event at Blue Martini in Brickell — where the writer quickly realized 'this concept is quite genius!'
Metromix Detroit: Views and Clues Inside Detroit's Party Scene
Metromix Detroit covered our Lock & Key singles party at Red Ox Tavern — 'Don't tell Cassie Reich that you can't find true love in a bar.'
Orlando Sentinel: The Single File
The Orlando Sentinel's 'The Single File' column explored love and timing in Orlando — including the role singles events play in helping people find each other.
Patch.com: Living It Up On Anti-Valentine's Day
Patch highlighted Lock & Key events as the perfect Anti-Valentine's outing — a way for singles to celebrate the holiday on their own terms.
Woman's World Magazine: Dating After Divorce or Breakup
Woman's World Magazine recommended Lock & Key parties to readers re-entering the dating scene — 'a simple and fun conversation starter.'
Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee Singles Mingle at Lock and Key Event
The Tallahassee Democrat sent a staff writer to experience our Lock & Key speed-dating event firsthand — and report back on what single life in Tallahassee is like.
Lock & Key Events Gives Back to the Community It Began In
LockandKeyEvents.com became a proud sponsor of the Hollywood Hills Girls Softball Team — giving back to the South Florida community where it all started.
Atlanta Press: Lock & Key Events Featured in May 2010 Emag
An Atlanta emagazine featured Lock & Key Events in its May 2010 issue, introducing Georgia singles to the original lock-and-key party format.
Tallahassee Democrat: Singles in the Capital Have Plenty of Chances to Meet
With 110 million single adults in the U.S., the Tallahassee Democrat rounded up the local singles scene — including our Lock & Key events.
New Times Broward: You're the Key! Lock and Key Party in Delray Beach
'Oh, the wisecracks we could make about a singles' lock and key party...' — Mickie Centrone previewed our Delray Beach party at Venue Delux.
Florida Times-Union: Getting Back in the Dating Game
Divorced and ready to start dating again? The Florida Times-Union recommended newer strategies — including Lock & Key events — alongside the traditional ones.
Tallahassee Democrat: Lock And Key Event at Clydes and Costello's
Guests at our Tallahassee Lock & Key Event tried out their locks and keys looking for that perfect match — and the Democrat captured it in photos.
Hoboken411: Lock And Key Party at Lana Lounge
Hoboken411 called our Lock & Key party 'THE Interactive Social Event You've Been Hearing About!' — and Hoboken singles turned out to see if it was true.
LA.com: The Key to Finding Romance?
LA.com followed daters at a Los Angeles Lock & Key party, asking whether the innovative icebreaker game can truly help singles find their perfect match.
Courier-Post: Cupid? Stupid! Singles Say Valentine's Day Is No Big Deal
The Courier-Post talked to South Jersey singles about Valentine's Day — and the better ways they were choosing to meet people, including our events.
Creative Loafing Charlotte: Today's Top 5 — Lock and Key Party
Creative Loafing Charlotte picked our Lock & Key party as one of the day's top 5 things to do — 'giving participants the chance to meet lots of new people.'
Tampa Bay Times tbt*: Singles Get an Easy Ice Breaker
tbt* previewed our Tampa Lock & Key party at Whiskey North — 'women get padlocks and men get keys, then the hunt is on to find some matches.'
South Bend Press: Lock and Key Singles Event — How It Works
South Bend media explained the Lock & Key format to local singles: every match earns a ticket into the prize drawing — cash, hotel stays, dinners and more.
Baltimore Living: 2007 Winner — Best Singles Event
Baltimore Living named Lock & Key Parties the Best Singles Event of 2007 in its annual winners list.
Pioneer Press: Unlocking Romance
The Pioneer Press covered the latest singles party to hit the Twin Cities — where working the room is the key to success.
SqueezeOC: Insert First, Ask Questions Later
SqueezeOC sent three writers to try their luck at an Orange County Lock & Key party — and report back on whether the format really opens doors.
AM New York: Where to Take or Find Your Valentine
AM New York's nightlife roundup for Valentine's weekend included our Lock & Key party as the spot for singles celebrating V-day on their own terms.
Casino Connection: Looking for Love
With more than 80 million single adults in the U.S. on Valentine's Day, Atlantic City media looked at the growing industry of helping people meet — including our events.
Denver Westword: Club Scout — Rise Is Under Lock and Key
Westword's Club Scout visited Rise Nightclub for a Denver Lock & Key party — 'Club Scout needs a boyfriend. Really.'
Sun Sentinel: Lovers on Lockdown
'By now, you know the drill' — the Sun Sentinel previewed our Lock & Key arrival at Resort nightclub in CityPlace, complete with complimentary cocktails.
Baltimore City Paper: Brand New Key — Picking Locks at Club One
Baltimore City Paper's Bar Scars column went picking locks at Club One — a columnist's-eye view of our Baltimore Lock & Key party.
Harrisburg Press: Pre-Game Lock & Key Party with the Harrisburg Senators
Local singles joined the Harrisburg Senators and Lock & Key Events for a Pre-Game Lock & Key Party on City Island — 'the ultimate icebreaker party.'
South Bend Tribune: Singles Invited to Lock and Key Event
Lock & Key Events, Cupid.com/PreDating, and Mix 106 teamed up to bring a Lock & Key party to the Upper Deck at Coveleski Stadium.
Tampa Press: Fresh Approach Is the Key
'Tired of lame pick-up lines? Now there's a way to meet other singles without awkward introductions' — Tampa media previewed our Clearwater party.
Miami New Times: Key of Love
'You've tried the personals and online dating sites to no avail... you could meet your perfect partner at tonight's Lock and Key party.'
LA Gossip Rag: Lock & Key and the Dr. Phil Cameras
When Dr. Phil's cameras came to a Los Angeles Lock & Key party, the LA Gossip Rag covered the night the format met national television.
National Post: The Key to Successful Dating
'Lock and Key Events help you meet, maybe fall in love, and win prizes' — the National Post profiled founder Darren Waldholz and the birth of the format.
Miami New Times: Got a Minute?
'There is always a time for romance — but with speed dating that would be a limited time' — Miami New Times covered the singles event scene at its birth.
