Eight At Eight Dinner Club

I had a similar experience as KT (other single star review).
For $ 450 I expected to meet men who matched some of the criteria I was looking for. The woman who interviewed me said that what I was looking for was very easy to meet because they had a slew of men who matched what I was looking for.
One thing I asked for was men without kids and the guy I was seated next to had two kids. One woman was so disappointed she left before ordering food. The woman who interviewed me said we weren’t allowed to see participants’ profiles.
The other man I was seated next to said he wasn’t satisfied with the program and stopped going but that he was enticed to go even though his membership expired because he was allowed to read our profiles which I was told was only for Eight at Eight staff to read.
The interviewer spent so much time trying to understand what I was looking for including specifics about careers of potential dates I would be interested in. Nothing against men in sales as a whole but I said I prefer academics to sales guys and 3 of the 4 men at my dinner were in sales.
I never got a follow-​up call to ask for feedback.
All the participants at dinner were super nice and great to meet. But I can meet super nice people anywhere and don’t need to dish out $ 450. The rep who met us and introduced all of us was friendly as well.
I never went back. I did give my dinner to another girl friend who had more fun meeting the women at the dinner.
Details: $ 450 for 3 dinners which includes one drink during intros but not the food and drinks once you all sit down and also doesn’t include parking. Also the membership expires after a few months whether you use the dinners or not.

If I could give this company zero stars, I would. I think I can sum up my experience with 8 at 8 with one phrase «extreme disappointment».
First dinner: I very hopeful and excited for this dinner. When I arrived I noticed not a single man there fit the description that I gave the representative I spoke to on the phone. While everyone at the dinner was perfectly nice, there was no one there I was attracted to. And let’s face it — isn’t that why we’re here?
I was told during my initial phone call with the company that they call after each date to see how it went and receive feedback on your matches and how they could improve next time. I waited and waited — received their email with the link for written feedback — waited and waited — still no call. I thought this is why I was paying this company, the personal service. Someone who is working for me with my best interest in mind, helping me through this process. I eventually gave my written feedback that I was disappointed in the matching process and said I can explain over the phone when I get my follow-​up call. Later, I received an email response saying they don’t match people based on physical appearance — they match based on education level and employment. Then how are you different than OkCupid or eHarmony or Match? They also said that they have no notes on my ‘type’… I spoke to someone for over half an hour — how do you not have any notes on this?! By the way, still no word on getting a phone call and never even received a response to the email I sent back to them.
Nevertheless, I gave them the benefit of the doubt and tried my second dinner. I walked in and every man there was closer to 40 years old and above. One even had kids my age! On my profile I gave them an age range of 25 – 30 and men with no children. Doesn’t look like they take your feedback on how they can improve your matches for next time to heart. Again, I had a fine time with the group but, again, no one I was remotely interested in dating.
Needless to say I am extremely disappointed with this service and feel like they have a blatant disregard for their clients’ interests. I feel like what I was lead to believe I was paying for was no where near what I received. I also heard from some people throughout the process that men pay significantly less than the women do and that is because they have a very low number of men who actually participate. That being said, that is why you receive your group information so late (day of the dinner) — because they are scrambling to get men to attend. Even though the registration cut off is about three days before the dinner — you’d think that would be enough time. If my profile doesn’t match the others who have signed up (or rather, the others you’re scrambling to get to sign up) then DON’T sign me up for the dinner! Tell me to pick another event!
Fabulous idea — horrendous execution.
Please, save your time and money and sign up for some other service. You’ll thank me later.

Excellent event at Due Lire Vino and Cucina in Logan Square. This was my first dinner and I was pleasantly surprised. The age range was right; everyone at the table was attractive and at my educational level. The group consisted of business owners, executive managers, a college professor, school principle, and an airline pilot. The conservation was interesting and keep my attention.
And the dinner was flawless; a quaint restaurant, inviting atmosphere, and an impressive menu that included homemade pasta. I would recommended 8 at 8 to any busy single professional. I look forward to the next event.

Updated July 2013. In case you are wondering why there are 2 positive reviews and one negative…8@8 apparently bribes people with negative reviews to remove them. I am sure I am not the first…
Hi Sarah,
I apologize that you have had a less than amazing experience with Eight at Eight. I’d be happy to give you a full refund in exchange for you removing the negative review on Unilocal.Would you consider that?
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From November 2012:
Whoever wrote this other review must work for 8@8. I have been to two events and both have been a joke! This service pretends to be a screening service for educated professional singles. There is better screening on Match. I have 2 other friends who signed up and they have had similar experiences.
Date 1: I was seated next to a masseuse (which does not fall into the category of a «professional» career). When I complained the next day, 8@8 responded that the gentleman was so passionate about being a masseuse that they thought it was fine to consider it «professional». When they say «professional» I don’t feel unreasonable assuming that means someone who has a college degree. Teachers, lawyers, engineers, whatever. Another gentleman was incredibly rude and didn’t really speak the entire dinner. 8@8’s response? «we didn’t hear any other complaints»…which is a lie, because I stayed in touch with the other women and I know at least 1 other of them complained.
Date 2: I have it very clearly stated in my profile that my age range is 33 – 43 and I do not want to date people with children. Two of the men had children, and one was born in 1955. I don’t know what kind of math they do but again, I could’ve screened these people out on Match.
I will say, this is a great service for men… the women I have met are fantastic. Ladies, save your money. The men are charged significantly less than the women and the caliber is much lower. That’s not to say there aren’t some nice guys, because there are. However, when you’re starting (on average, based on my experience and my friends’ experiences) at only 50% of the guys in the group falling into criteria you expect, the odds go even lower. And I don’t think having my only criteria being set at «no children» and «men between the ages of 33−43» is asking too much.
Great idea in concept, horrible in execution.

I’ve gone on 2 dinner dates through 8@8 so far and really enjoyed both.
I thought the whole evening was extremely well organized. Our hostess was there to meet/​greet us at the bar and got
conversations started. The restaurant, meal, and wait
staff were great and there was no problem with the separate
checks, etc.
All the guests were interesting and easy to talk to, the company did a great job matching up people. I’m looking forward to future dates!