Sapphic Spark: Queer Women's Dating 40s to 50s+

Sapphic Spark is back in Edinburgh on Thursday 26 November, running from 6:15pm to 9:15pm at The Fox and Faun on Shandwick Place. It's a queer women's dating night for those in their 40s, 50s and beyond, run by Our Rainbow Hearts in collaboration with Sapphic Circle. The organisers describe it as their antidote to swipe fatigue: a low-pressure, playful alternative to high-speed dating, tailored for sapphics in that age bracket.

It trades the three-minute speed-dating timer for curated icebreakers and a library of physical, mental and deep-dive games, with optional LGBTQ+ conversation decks to keep things moving. Facilitators Michelle and Tri-chan — the organisers' self-styled 'rainbow dinosaur wingwoman' — host the welcome drinks and mingling before the icebreakers take over, and the night rounds off with LGBTQ+ conversation games and an optional after-party. Before you go, there's a short dating profile questionnaire to fill out, which only Michelle sees.

They market it as an LGBTQ+ safe space, and it's held a five-star rating on Google. Non-binary people are welcome, and the venue is step-free. Tickets are £21 to £28.99 plus booking fee, and it runs from 6:15pm to 9:15pm on Thursday 26 November at The Fox and Faun, 101 Shandwick Place, EH2 4SD.