Safety Guidelines

Meeting new people should feel exciting, not risky. That’s why every Timeleft event – dinners, drinks, runs, walks, and coffees – takes place in a public, pre-vetted venue with a group, with safeguards built into the experience. This page covers what we do to keep events safe, and what you can do to look after yourself.

Before your event

  • Tell someone your plans. Share the venue location and your expected timing with a friend or family member.
  • Plan your journey both ways. Know how you'll get home before you head out, especially if you might have a drink.
  • Flag accessibility needs early. Have a mobility, sensory, or other access need? Let us know when you book, or as soon as you can – venues are assigned closer to the event date, so the earlier we hear from you, the more we can do to match you with a suitable one.
  • Group chat, not one-on-one. Shortly before your event, a group chat opens with your tablemates so you can say hello and start the conversation early. You can't message anyone one-on-one or see their profile or photo until after the event (that stays hidden to protect privacy).
  • Something feels off in the chat? Long-press any message and tap Report. We never tell them who reported.
  • Only RSVP through official channels. Only RSVP through the official Timeleft app or website. Scammers sometimes create fake event pages or ask for payment outside the platform. Never pay for an event off-platform.

During your event

  • Everything is optional. You can leave anytime. No one can pressure you to drink, stay late, exchange contact info, or do anything you're not comfortable with. “No” is a complete sentence.
  • Keep your drink and belongings in sight. This applies everywhere: dinner, drinks, runs, all venues.
  • Pace your drinking. Staying clear-headed keeps you in control of your evening. And it's on you to follow the legal drinking age wherever the event is taking place.
  • Protect your personal details. First names are enough. Don't share your address, workplace, phone number, or social media handles until you've decided to stay in touch.
  • Flag allergies directly with staff. Double-check with the waiter or venue staff that your dishes are free of allergens, don't rely on the menu alone.

If you're joining a Run or Walk

Runs and Walks bring a few extra considerations:

  • Running pace varies. Pace is approximate, not exact. When you book a Run, you'll pick 'Very easy' or 'Steady', but real-world pace can vary with terrain, fitness, and how much the group is chatting. Choose based on how you want to feel, not a guaranteed speed match. Experienced runners should help slower participants feel welcome, not left behind.
  • Be visible. For evening or early-morning activity, wear bright or reflective clothing. Stick to well-lit paths if the group splits.
  • Keep one ear free. If you use music, keep volume low so you can hear traffic, cyclists, and the group around you.
  • Carry the basics. A charged phone, water for anything beyond a short activity, and some ID or an emergency contact card.
  • Run/walk at your own pace. There's no pressure to keep up. If you feel dizzy, overheated, or unwell, stop and tell someone, don't push through it.
  • Mind the weather. In heat, hydrate before you arrive and slow your pace. In rain or cold, dress in layers and watch for slippery surfaces.
  • Keep the group together. If the plan is to move together, resist turning it into a race or walk-off.
  • Look out for others. If someone seems significantly impaired or unwell, help them get home safely. It's a community responsibility.

If someone's in danger

If anyone's life or safety is at immediate risk, contact local emergency services first, then tell us. That includes a medical emergency at the table, someone in a health crisis, a guest you can't account for after an event, and any threat against an event or a venue.

Not sure whether something counts? Tell us anyway. We would much rather hear about a situation that turns out to be fine than miss one that isn't.

After your event

  • Connect on your terms. Use Timeleft Connect to continue conversations with people you clicked with. Share contact details only with people you trust.
  • Never send money. Do not transfer money, lend money, share financial information, or send cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers to anyone you met through Timeleft, no matter how compelling the story. This is the single most common social scam pattern. Scammers are patient and persuasive. Report suspected scams here.
  • Get home safely. Don't drive if you've been drinking, and never accept a ride from someone who has. Use a taxi, rideshare, or public transport instead.

Three things worth knowing anywhere in the world

  • 112 works from most mobile phones globally, even without signal from your own carrier and often without a SIM – it's the international GSM emergency number and will route you to local services in the majority of countries.
  • Venue staff are likely to know the local number. If you're traveling and unsure, ask a waiter or bartender, it's the fastest way to get help locally and accurately.
  • You don't need to be certain it's an emergency to call. If someone at your table is unwell, being followed, or in a situation that feels dangerous, calling is always the right move.

Afterwards, report any incident to us through the report form or directly in the app, this helps us protect you and the rest of the community.