Men sat down at women’s tables, chatted for a few minutes (eight, to be precise), then moved to the next "flower.” It’s called 8MinuteDating and it returns to the Brewery tonight.

Connecticut event organizer Tracy Hydeck has held parties at Milford’s Knickerbockers and The Gathering, New Haven’s The Playwright, Stamford’s Temple Bar, and Bridgeport’s Acoustic Cafe.

At an 8MinuteDating event, each participant is matched with eight single professionals for eight one-on-one, eight-minute conversations. Singles check off who they’d like to see again on a score card, like a game.

Later, from their own computers, they mark their confidential choices. If both parties agree, they are notified by e-mail and given contact information. Anything that happens after that is up to them.

The service comes with a guarantee: If you don’t meet someone you want to see again, your next event is free. However, 60 percent of participants make at least one match the first time, according to program organizers.

8MinuteDating was inspired by SpeedDating, a Jewish dating service started in Los Angeles in 1998. SpeedDating has spawned look-alikes across the country, including FastDater in Chicago and HurryDate in New York.

These services attract mostly young professionals in their late 20s and early 30s, many of whom work 60-plus hours per week and don’t have time for lots of traditional dating, program organizers say.

Clients say it takes the pressure off introducing yourself and initiating conversation with a stranger. One prospective Romeo said the $28.88 price tag is significantly more "cost-effective” than going on eight blind dates.

To date, 22,000 people have used 8MinuteDating, which recently announced its first engagement of a couple in the Boston area.

The service is branching out into specialty matchmaking as well. Already happening around the country are African-American, Jewish, and gay and lesbian events. The first lesbian event in Connecticut is scheduled for next month at Bridgeport’s Acoustic Cafe.

Hydeck has a laid-back manner and likes to set participants at ease.

Her advice? "Don’t take it so seriously. It’s a fun night. Just because you checked off someone’s name, you don’t have to marry them.”

And if you get stuck sitting with someone who isn’t your type?

"Be nice. They might have a brother or sister who’s just what you’re looking for.”

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The Colorado Brewery is at 6 Delay St.

The event begins at 7:08 p.m. but participants should arrive by 6:30 p.m. Advance registration is required and can be done at www.8minutedating.com. Age groups are limited to 25-35 and 35-45 years old.