The idea Partners Questions Safety Join the list

Questions people ask before their first evening.

How pool works

what is pool?

A curated evening for people who'd rather meet in a room than message for weeks. You join, we put together a guest list, and you turn up to a small gathering in a place we chose.

how does it work?

You tell us who you are. When a room fits you, we invite you. You arrive alone, the evening has a shape to it, and we handle everything before the first guest walks in.

is this speed dating?

No. Nobody rotates on a timer and nothing gets scored. It's an evening with a small group of people who were put in the same room deliberately.

Joining & profiles

how do I join?

You put yourself on the list with your city and email. Then you wait, honestly, while we look at who fits which room. Not everyone gets asked at the same time, and that's on purpose.

what do I need for my profile?

Enough for us to understand who you are and who you'd get along with, not your whole life story. A few honest answers go further than a long bio.

who can see my profile?

Nobody browses it. It's used to decide who belongs in the same room, not shown around beforehand.

who is pool for?

People who are actually open to meeting someone, and good company in a room of strangers. Age, background and how you date are less interesting to us than that.

Matching

how do you decide who meets?

We read what you've told us and build a guest list we think will hold a conversation. During the evening, meeting someone again is mutual, it takes both people choosing it, not one person picking.

can I choose who I meet?

You meet everyone in the room. What happens after that is between the two of you.

what if I don't get an invitation?

You stay on the list and we try again for the next room. Nothing's charged, and it isn't a verdict on you, it's a question of who else is free that night.

The evening

what actually happens?

Conversation, mostly. The evening has a shape to it, so you're not stuck deciding who to talk to first, and the last stretch is just yours.

who will be there?

A small group, size varies evening to evening. No host running the room, your evening is with the group and venue staff only. Each invitation states the age range for that group.

how long does it last?

A few hours, roughly what a good dinner out takes. We give you a start time, not a countdown.

can I leave whenever I want?

Leave whenever you want, no explanation needed, and no effect on future invitations. If something happened, tell us after, we don't need it in the moment.

Safety

Safety →
does pool verify profiles?

Yes, before anyone is invited. Checks cover the photo, age and the profile itself, and each badge names the one thing it checked. It won't vouch for anyone's behaviour, but nobody walks into a pool room unreviewed.

what if someone makes me uncomfortable?

Leave, whenever you want, no explanation needed. Nothing about your standing with us changes, and you can tell us afterwards if you'd like us to act on it.

can I report someone afterwards?

Yes, days later included. You don't need proof, and reports are confidential, we never tell the other person who reported them.

what information do other people see about me?

Your first name and what you choose to say about yourself in the room. No contact details are exchanged for you, and nothing is shared with the guest list beforehand.

If something feels wrong, leave. You don't owe anyone an explanation, and leaving won't affect future invitations.

Payment

when do I pay?

Once you're invited into a room and you've accepted. Nothing is charged while you're on the list.

what am I paying for?

The evening itself, the room and the work of putting it together. Whatever you eat or drink there you pay the venue directly, the same as any night out.

what's the cancellation policy?

Tell us as early as you can so someone else can take the seat. Late notice because something's come up is human, tell us anyway and we'll sort it out.

Cities

where is pool available?

Amsterdam, for now. Other cities are next.

can I join if pool isn't in my city yet?

Yes. Leave your city and your email, and we'll let you know when we're close. Cities open when enough of the right people are asking for them.

Amsterdam is live. Other cities are next.

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