Righto. I am back EARLY. No speed dating occurred!
Was running late.
(lesson learned - I REALLY don't need to dress up for dating. Just reasonably figure flattering clean clothes and hiking boots worked - I do pay attention to my casual style, and have flattering hair and glasses but going out style is so "casual" now the whole works just seem excessive?)
Got to venue (ID'd at door - mid thirties so haha), bit worried/self conscious about turning up alone? Nice vibe in bar, nice to be "out-out" again.
Found roped off area which looked speed-datey and organiser guy said to wait in bar for a bit.
Two guys (friends) who said they were also there for the event were also told to wait.
Not 100% my type but a good laugh, gentlemanly. We joined up and got drinks, all was well.
News filtered back from the organiser. TWO speed dating events booked for same evening.
So the bar was full of slightly cross "rogue speed daters" who were expecting an organised night out - we'd been cancelled for the other event?
Obviously the possibility of "hanging out as a group" was there but tbh not what I went out for? We all gravitated to the same tables but it just felt a bit flat.
I wanted an organised night out where I could "privately decide who I fancied etc" and I didn't want the whole "group dynamics" situation in a new city with a lot of strangers.
I think everyone felt the same way - the two friends hinted I should join them as they went for food (nice gesture) but that just seemed more than I'd come out for?
(I am kind of a cunt but also I didn't want the guys who were obviously quite shy/maybe not going to get much attention to feel left out?).
There was one guy who I had a "making eyes" moment with who was in the OTHER speed dating group who had the venue and said "Hi" and who was very attractive.
So i was somewhat tempted to slip him my number.
But again, I kind of am not in the mood for "overfunctioning" right now? Plus it seemed quite rude to the guys in my group to just defect to a guy in the other group.
I left early without finishing my complimentary drink, as it just seemed too "loose" and all over the place, and I didn't fancy one of those "random studenty nights out that go nowhere when I could be at home".
So overall - not the best speed dating event in the world! 
Will wait and see what they do with refunds. A lot of people were fairly pissed off as they'd come in from the next town, got all dressed up, got the train in etc.
If it was a big rich company I'd expect a refund and a free event, though I expect they've been struggling with lockdown.
Pilates tonight, lots of work on but will reconsider the dating strategy in next few weeks! (the guy in the other group was very personable, so if I'd just signed up to that company instead.....
)