Vietnamese restaurant Hanoi Bike Shop, in Glasgow’s West End, is set to host its own version of popular Channel 4 show ‘First Dates’ ahead of Valentine’s Day this year.
The event, on Monday 12th February 2018, costs £25 per person for a sharing banquet with a cocktail and will see 14 couples, who have not met previously, matched based on their preferences in a partner.
Staff matched the couples, who were asked to give detailed descriptions of their perfect partner via e-mail. The restaurant didn’t provide customers with a template, giving them free reign to describe their ideal date down to the finest detail – and, of the 40 who have applied, all of the females have stated that they are seeking the affections of a dog lover.
There were also some more specific requests, including one from a lady seeking a man who “looks like he works on a farm, but doesn’t.”
Press coverage has helped boost the profile of the restaurant, and the event, which has also been promoted on social media, will make use of an otherwise unused upstairs dining space.
Alex Wilcox, General Manager of Hanoi Bike Shop, said, “This is the first time Hanoi has ever run anything like this and the first time I, personally, have ever been involved in this kind of event so it has been a complete learning curve.
“We are hoping to make this a semi-regular event, as long as the fantastic support we have received so far keeps up!
“It has been a lot of fun and we’re all incredibly excited to see how the evening goes.”
The restaurant regularly hosts themed events and another evening, to celebrate the upcoming Chinese zodiac ‘Year of the Dog’, is planned for Thursday 15th February 2018.
Visit the Facebook event page for First Dates at Hanoi Bike Shop here.
by Hannah Gunn