Each month, we set two daters up at a restaurant, give them free food and drinks, then wait for the magic to happen. This month’s Blind Date, we set Sarah and Joseph up at Federales!

Meet the Daters! 

Name: Sarah

Occupation: Early Intervention

Sign: Virgo

Why are you going on Rooster’s Blind Date? I’ve read the Rooster Blind Dates forever. My friend submitted me a few months ago. 

What’s a good way to win you over:  A good sense of humor, kindness, and being up for a good time.

Most irrational fear:  Spiders. I fucking hate them!

What’s your greatest strength? Being able to chat and connect with people. 

Do you want kids? Eventually. No idea how many. 

What do you geek out on? Sci-fi books, Stardew Valley (80 hours in), pottery, and, my most grandma-ish hobby, crocheting.  

Immediate red flags: Not asking questions. And honestly, the vibe. I can pick up on the vibe. 

Immediate green flags: A great sense of humor, enjoys being out and about, but also enjoys a night in.

What is your toxic trait as a partner? My overwhelming love for my dog. He’s a sweet old puggle who can be a little curmudgeonly. 

One thing you can’t live without? Other people. 

Why did your last relationship end? We were looking for different things moving forward. 

Celebrity crush: Andy Samberg. 

Guilty pleasure: Below Deck. I thought I would quit my job and become a Below Deck stewardess. 

Name: Joseph

Occupation: Certificate Technician

Sign: No Idea

Why are you going on Rooster’s Blind Date? My roommates signed me up. 

What’s a good way to win you over: A good laugh and being able to laugh about things. 

Most irrational fear:  Not having kids or a family before my parents die. 

What’s your greatest strength? Ability to roll with the punches. I’m ready for whatever comes. 

Do you want kids? Yes. 

What do you geek out on? Sports. My sporting teams 100%—and my cat. I could talk your ear off about my teams and my cat. 

Immediate red flags: Being self-centered and main character syndrome. 

Immediate green flags: Being family-oriented, lighthearted, can laugh at the bad things, and roll with the punches. 

What is your toxic trait as a partner? I’m stubborn. I’m going to watch my game, and you’re going to deal with it.

One thing you can’t live without? Is family and friends basic?

Why did your last relationship end? We were in different stages of life. 

Celebrity crush: Hayley Williams from Paramore. 

Guilty pleasure: When you make some food and someone tries it first time and they love it. 

ROUND 1

It’s fall in Colorado. It’s that time of year when the days are hot but the nights are cool.  Some people love this time of year, some people don’t. For Joseph, it’s football season, and he can’t be more excited. His date, Sarah, arrives with a warm welcome and a friendly smile, no doubt noticing Joseph’s CSU shirt. Does she share the same passion for sports, or is she at Federales for the margaritas? There’s only one way to find out. And with that, the game begins. 

How are things going so far?
J: They are going well. The conversation is good. We can talk about a lot of things and relate to each other well, so that’s good.
S: They are going well! I’m enjoying my time. The conversation has been flowing, which is great. 

What were your first impressions of the dater?
J: Obviously, I was nervous. It’s so hard because I’m not one to read a book by its cover. I always want to get to know someone before I judge them, so the first impression is hard to put into words, if that makes sense.
S: That he was very nice. Very nice, and happy to be doing the date. He’s very curious and asks me a lot of questions after I ask him. 

What was the first thing you noticed about your date?
J: Her smile and her tattoo. No idea what that tattoo is, I just know she has one.
S: I noticed his CSU shirt, because I went to CSU for one year. I am a CSU fan. CSU fan, but I didn’t graduate there. But if there’s college football, it’s going to be the Rams. I know he’s a big fan. Big fan. 

Is this the type of person you’d normally date?
J: I’m not sure yet. I want to get to know her more.
S: Maybe not. But I don’t know if I have a usual person to date. He’s not someone I would not want to date. It’s probably not who I would gravitate towards in a group, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t date him. 

Where do you normally meet partners?
J: Social events, friends of friends. Not online. It seems fake.
S: Historically through friends, as friends, and more recently Hinge, which I am not loving. I would love not to have to keep doing Hinge. 

What are you most nervous about for tonight?
J: Not being in the moment. Because of everything going on in life, like my new job and new roommate, and the way I was dressed. Not being prepared enough.
S: Being on a first date and having cameras around. 

Did you get any advice for the date?
J: Yeah. Have a great time. And just enjoy the moment and be in the moment.
S: I did. I texted my friends, and they pretty much said to just be myself. All the classic friends gassing you up before the date, which was very helpful and very necessary. One said you must remember all the details so we can debrief fully. 

How did you prepare for the date?
J: I really didn’t. I just wanted to come in, be myself, and not overthink it too much.
S: I went for a long walk with my dog, took a shower, and got ready. I did sneak a Modelo in there for sure. 

How did your date dress tonight?
J: I would say appropriately for a first date. I don’t have any types, so good!
S: He dressed well. First sitting down, he said he was sorry, and he had just come from work at a new job. But he looks exactly what you want at 5:30 pm on a Wednesday in Denver. Casual and fun! 

What are you looking forward to in the next round?
J: Hanging out and talking. Now that we’re over the first initial meeting. Going through this whole process together. And maybe ringing the bell.
S: Talking more. And tacos. I love tacos. 

ROUND 2

Going into halftime, Joseph’s CSU shirt isn’t scaring away Sarah. In fact, that’s her favorite college football team. We can envision them now, wearing matching green and gold overalls, cheering on their team from the bleachers. At Federales, the main sport is Ring the Bell, where you take a shot and chuck the empty ice shot glass at the bell. Despite Joseph and Sarah’s interest in sports, they both miss.

How was dinner at Federales?
J: It was good. Tacos were unique and well put together. I’ve never eaten here before. I liked it.
S: It was delicious. I got the steak and the Baja tacos, and they were both so good. I’ve never eaten here before, only had drinks. The food is delicious!

How’s the date going?
J: It’s going well. We’re sharing a lot of laughs and good conversation. We talked about some of our pet peeves, some of our taste in music, and how we go about our daily lives. People watching, oversharing. Being able to laugh about common things, things that frustrate us, so we can relate and talk back and forth.
S: It’s going well. It’s been fun. The conversation is still flowing. We chatted about pet peeves, and we’re hoping that we can keep going back and forth with those, but we didn’t get very far.  Paper napkins are one of his pet peeves. How can you use it once, and they are so tiny and get holes in them. My pet peeve is people who don’t let pets in the bed, and he fully agreed with that, which I love to hear. 

Do you two have anything in common?
J: I think so. We were both close to our parents, and we both like golf. I think we both like the nightlife. Hanging out with friends, having some drinks.
S: We do. He likes sports more than I do, but we both like Mexican food, we both like hanging out with friends, and doing fun activities. I love going to live sports events, so we have that in common. We bonded over that a little bit.

What do you like about your date?
J: She’s easy to talk to, easy to get along with. Seems like she’s very engaged in the conversation. And she’s okay with some of the nuances that I have. I’ve apologized, but she said not to apologize.
S: I like that he’s really easy to talk to and spend time with.

What’s the most attractive thing your date has done so far?
J: She’s been relatable. The ability to keep the conversation going and be really nice. She’s nice to talk to, keeps the conversation going, and can laugh at stupid or silly things.
S: I think being up for every next step. Being up for the shot toss. Being up for the next step of dinner. He seems excited to keep going, which is fun.

How would your parents feel about the dater?
J: I don’t think my parents would really care as long as I am happy. That’s all that would matters.
S: Honestly, they would be hunky dory. They would be happy as a clam, I bet. They are not the pickiest. I’ve brought home somebody who maybe I shouldn’t have, and they liked them.

What’s been the best part of the date so far?
J: Joking about the whole process. Kind of always having it in the back of your head that somebody is watching you and the pictures and everything. It’s not too bad.
S: I’d say outside of us chatting, I’ve really enjoyed the margaritas. The spicy watermelon with Tajin rim *chefs kiss* is perfect.

What could make the date better?
J: If I were better prepared. But, I’m glad I wasn’t. I think at the beginning, I wasn’t confident in what I was wearing and how I looked since I had just gotten off work.
S: Maybe if there was less structure to it. This is my first structured date. It’s nice to get off the dating apps and to meet someone in person in a fun, different setting. It’s so nice!

How’s the chemistry on a scale of 1 to 10?
J: It’s hard to say because it’s a first date. I think we’re getting along well. 7.2.
S: 6. I think as long as the conversation keeps flowing, then it can only go up.

Where would you like the night to go from here?
J: Probably one more drink and then head our separate ways. I have to get up early! But if there’s more after that, I wouldn’t be opposed. In terms of drink-wise! I don’t mean anything else … anyways.
S: It is a school night, so probably wrapping up with another drink or whatever and saying goodnight.

Do you think there’s going to be a second date?
J: I think there’s a possibility. I don’t want to jump to conclusions. I would be willing, but if she’s not feeling it, then so be it.
S: Huh. I’m not sure. If he asked, I would say yes, probably. 

ROUND 3

It’s the two-minute warning, and so far there’s been a lot of passing but no scoring. Joseph and Sarah have been stuck in midfield. They are enjoying their conversation, but is Joseph’s love of sports a bit too much for Sarah? For their final play, they launch one last Hail Mary to ring the bell. 

What happened after Rooster left?
J:  I can’t say because I left before you did.
S: We finished our last drink and exchanged numbers, gave each other a hug, and said goodbye. We have not talked to each other since.

What was the best part of the date and why?
J: Throwing the shot glasses at the bell.
S: Part of me wants to say the spicy watermelon margarita because it was so delicious. Another part would be getting a second chance to try to hit the bell with the ice shot.

Would you have changed anything about the date?
J: Probably being somewhere less crowded.
S: I don’t think so. It would be fun to be doing something, like an activity, which would be nice.

Was there a goodnight kiss, hug or exchange of numbers?
J: I asked for her number and gave her a hug!
S: No kiss, a hug, and an exchange of numbers. But I think we’re both feeling friendly vibes. Which I believe is mutual.

Will there be a second date?
J: Probably not, unfortunately, she’s the same age as my older sister and I don’t think she’d be happy about that.
S: I don’t think so. I would be surprised if we hung out as friends, but hey, ya never know.

Any advice for future blind daters?
J: Don’t overthink it, just be in the moment.
S: Go in with an open mind. 

CONCLUSION

After the post-game interview, we are not feeling confident about our daters making it to the Super Bowl. Not every date can be a shutout, but at least it wasn’t as bad as last year’s Rocky Mountain Showdown, where CU beat CSU 28-9. We’ll hope for better luck next season! 

Are you tired of ordinary dating? Do you like free food and drinks? If you are 21 or older, then you may be entitled to a  Rooster Blind Date! Click HERE to sign yourself or a friend up!