Each month, we set two daters up, give them free food and drinks, then wait for the magic to happen. This month’s Blind Date we set Tomi and Jake up at Joyride Brewing

Meet The Daters!

Name: Tomi

Sign: Virgo

Occupation: Technical Account Manager

Why are you going on Rooster’s Blind Date? One of my friends did a Blind Date and had a great time.

What’s a good way to win you over? Have a good sense of humor and do not take life too seriously.

Most irrational fear: Pooping my pants in public.

What’s your greatest strength? Problem-solving and patience.

Do you want kids? Yes. With the right person, I’ll figure it out.

What do you geek out on? Mathematics, physics, Star Wars, and people in general.

Immediate red flags: If they smoke or vape, or if they don’t think I’m funny.

Immediate green flags: If a person can make the best of any situation.

What is your toxic trait as a partner? Thinking that my dad jokes are really funny.

One thing you can’t live without? Traveling.

Why did your last relationship end? He drank too much and screamed at my friends. It was not a healthy.

Celebrity crush: All of the Asian men from Physical: 100.

Guilty pleasure: Watching Jersey Shore and finding the best Aperol Spritz in Denver.

Name: Jake

Sign: Gemini

Occupation: Lighting Engineer

Why are you going on Rooster’s Blind Date? My friend begged me to go. Sounds fun, so why not?

What’s a good way to win you over? Sense of humor, adventure, intelligence and love of travel.

Most irrational fear: Construction accidents and Disney adults.

What’s your greatest strength? I can get along with anyone.

Do you want kids? Yes. It would be a dealbreaker if someone didn’t them.

What do you geek out on? Movies, reading, personal health, and deep diving into new topics.

Immediate red flags: I don’t judge people right away. What flags should I be looking for?

Immediate green flags: Energy, energetic, and a good conversationalist.

What is your toxic trait as a partner? I’ve been told I’m too easygoing. Real story.

One thing you can’t live without? Music.

Why did your last relationship end? It became clear that it wasn’t going to last much longer.

Celebrity crush: Kate Beckinsale and Charlize Theron.

Guilty pleasure: I have a pizza addiction that I have to keep in check.

ROUND 1

At Joyride Brewing, there’s a tradition that few people will ever see. When a new batch is finished, the crew disappears for The Wu – a behind-the-scenes ritual soundtracked by Wu-Tang Clan that signals something fresh is coming. Tonight, our daters, Tomi and Jake, arrive just in time to catch a glimpse of the legendary Wu. After some tasty brews and Bruschetta Prosciutto from Edgewater Inn Pizza, we pull them aside to see how things are going.

How are things going so far?
J: Good! She’s easy to talk to. We’ve talked about traveling, animals, and what to do if you win the lottery. I would hire a personal chef and travel, and she said buy a bunch of land to rescue dogs.
T: It’s going great. Conversation is flowing. We’re finding lots of stories to tell. And a lot of similar interests, which is great.

What were your first impressions of the dater?
J: She’s super nice and bubbly, and easy to have a conversation with.
T: My first impression is that he has very nice teeth, he’s very handsome, and he’s very friendly and welcoming.

What was the first thing you noticed about your date?
J: She’s really smiley. She smiles a lot. I like her smile. She’s cute. She seems like a really good person.
T: I noticed that he has very angular features in his face. That’s a good thing! I’m attracted to his features. And I know that he was nervous, because he told me, but he was very calm when we started talking, and it broke the ice.

Is this the type of person you’d normally date?
J: I think so. She seems like good people. I try to be with good people.
T: Honestly, I date all kinds of different people, but yeah, he would be the type of person I would date based on personality.

Where do you normally meet partners?
J: Usually it’s off an app, like Hinge. I’m still single, so it has not been successful. Denver is no different from any other city that I’ve lived in. Every city says they are the worst to date in. I’ve lived in Orange County, San Francisco, Oakland, Denver, Sacramento, and they are all the same. Everyone thinks they’re in a dating desert.
T: Recently, out at bars, on Hinge, or at watch parties for things like Love is Blind or UFC matches. Considering I haven’t been in a relationship since the last one three years ago, they’ve all been zero success.

What are you most nervous about for tonight?
J: I wasn’t. 0% nervous.
T: I was most nervous about my hair and makeup. And just having people interview me during my date. We were talking so much that I almost forgot that we were going to be interviewed. I’m less nervous now. We were both nervous, but now it’s just a normal date, where we get pulled aside and asked questions.

Did you get any advice for the date?
J: Nope. I don’t think I date a lot, but I go on dates from time to time. So I’m comfortable with it.
T: Yes, I got advice from my girlfriends who said it’s going to be fun regardless, because I can talk to a wall.

How did you prepare for the date?
J: I didn’t. Prepare? Have you met me? No.
T: I ran through the first few questions with my friends while we were at a Christmas pop-up bar. That was about all I did. And I looked up outfits on Pinterest, which didn’t really help. I have to try to make a good first impression!

How did your date dress tonight?
J: She dressed like she was going on a date. She’s in pants, right? Is she in jeans? I don’t remember.
T: My date dressed at a good level with the atmosphere that we are in. He’s dressed a little bit more formally than just regular going out, so I appreciate that. He got a little fancy, which is nice.

What are you looking forward to in the next round?
J: It’s always fun to get to know somebody more.
T: I’m looking forward to more stories and getting to know him better. He’s very well-traveled and has a lot of good insights. It seems like our values around life align, so I’m interested to hear more about that.

ROUND 2

The beers and conversation are flowing, and the pizza has more toppings on it than Tomi and Jake could cover in one evening. A cribbage tournament kicks off, stirring up some midweek ruckus. The competition doesn’t distract our daters, who haven’t stopped talking. After stuffing ourselves with pizza and sipping an Ice Cutter Kölsch, awarded Best Kölsch in the World in 2022, we pull them apart for an update.

How was dinner from Edgewater Inn, and how were the drinks from Joyride Brewing?
J: Dinner was very good. I would order from them again. Drinks were great, the people were great. Great service and great beer. Overall, 10/10.
T: The pizza is great. I can taste all the flavors and all the toppings. It’s light but very flavorful. I would highly recommend! The drinks are all very tasty and taste exactly like the flavors listed. I’ve had a couple of sours and the Aperol Spritz seltzer.

How’s the date going?
J: It’s going well. Easy conversation. We’re talking about traveling, hobbies, and leeches. We both had experiences getting attacked in ecosystems by leeches.
T: It’s going great. I’m learning lots of new things about him. Lots of stories about travelling. And the difference between trips and vacations. The difference is that vacation is for relaxing, and trips are for experiences that you never forget, and you almost die.

Do you two have anything in common?
J: Yes. We both like adventures, activities, traveling, and outdoor activities. We have physical activities and hobbies in common, fitness and stuff. We both seem like really active people.
T: We have a love of travel and gaining perspective in life by going to different places, a sense of adventure, trying new things, and being open to new experiences. Also, just hanging out with friends and experiencing those things with friends. You value experience more than things. We connect on that.

What do you like about your date?
J: She’s really easy to talk to and seems like a genuinely good person. She’s adventurous. Those are pretty solid qualities.
T: I like that he has a lot to talk about. He is energetic, has a great personality, a good sense of humor, and a good perspective on life. It feels like talking to a friend. It makes the date less nerve-racking. I definitely see him as potentially more than a friend, if he feels the same way.

What do you not like about your date?
J: I don’t think there’s anything that’s unlikable about her.
T: I haven’t thought of anything I don’t like about him, so far. There are always things that you don’t like about someone, but I haven’t come across anything.

What’s the most attractive thing your date has done so far?
J: She’s really easy to talk to. I know I’ve said that for three answers, but it’s a genuinely easy, flowing conversation.
T: Sharing his stories but equally asking me questions as well. Getting to know each other on an equal basis, and I find that very attractive. When you’re actually trying to get to know the other person.

What’s been the best part of the date so far?
J: I always enjoy meeting new people and finding out about their interests and what they enjoy in life.
T: It’s been refreshing to talk to someone who is on the same level as me, whether that be career-wise or life-wise. We’ve both experienced things in life that make us relate on different levels. The dating culture in Denver is tough for us all, so it’s really nice to meet someone where you have a purely good time.

What could make the date better?
J: It’s pretty solid. I don’t have anything lacking. It’s going well.
T: I think an activity. I feel like he’s a very active person, and so am I.

How’s the chemistry on a scale of 1 to 10?
J: 7-8. A million things could make it worse. I don’t think anything could make it better.
T: I would rate it currently at a 7. We’re still getting to know each other on a surface level.

Where would you like the night to go from here?
J: I could use a nap. I don’t have any expectations. I’m just along for the ride. I’m pretty tired. I only slept 3 or 4 hours the last few nights, and I’m exhausted.
T: I would love to have more conversation and get to know him a little more, and possibly go on another date after tonight.

Do you think there’s going to be a second date?
J: I don’t think I’m seeing anything more than friendship here. She’s a genuinely good person and easy to talk to. There are no complaints at all, but I’m just feeling a friend vibe.
T: I hope so! I will make an effort to go on a second date, for sure.

Do you think there will be a hug, a kiss, or an exchange of numbers?
J: I will probably hug her goodnight, and I don’t know about the other two.
T: I feel like there will be at least a hug and an exchange of numbers. A kiss may be on the horizon, I don’t know.

ROUND 3

As the night winds down and the cribbage tournament crowns a winner, Tomi and Jake debate trips versus vacations. On paper, they’re a perfect match, but the spark isn’t there. We leave, hoping beers and a little Wu-Tang magic might spark something up. The next day, we check in to see if the Wu worked.

What happened after Rooster left?
J: We finished our drinks and said goodnight, and that was about it. I walked her to her car and said goodnight.
T: We chatted for a bit, he walked me to my car, and that was it. He did not get my number. I feel like if he didn’t want to get my phone number, he didn’t really want to contact me afterwards.

What was the best part of the date and why?
J: It was all and all a good night. I don’t know if anything sticks out as the best. It was all around a fun evening.
T: Honestly, I think I had a great laugh when he was talking about his trip to the rainforest, where he had to stay for four days. It was a crazy experience. He’s a great storyteller.

Would you have changed anything about the date?
J: Nope. Nothing. All around good time.
T: I think I might want to do something more active, like mini golf, bowling, or trivia night.

Will there be a second date?
J: If there is one, it would be in a friend capacity.
T: I would be open to a second date, but I’m leaving it in his court.

Any advice for future blind daters?
J: Just dive in! Don’t have expectations, don’t try to control things, and don’t be nervous. Just go have fun.
T: I would be open to a second date, but I’m leaving it in his court.

Was there a goodnight kiss, hug or exchange of numbers?
J: No kiss, but we did exchange numbers. There was a hug.
T: There was a hug, and I got his phone number so I called him.

Would you recommend going on a Rooster Blind Date?
J: For sure. It was great. It was a great way to spend an evening.
T: Yeah, absolutely. It was a good time.

CONCLUSION

Despite their perfect match on paper, these two won’t be riding off into the sunset on a romantic vacation. But who knows, maybe they’ll end up as travel buddies on an adrenaline junkie’s dream trip. One thing’s for sure: Joyride Brewing Ain’t Nuthing Ta F’ wit!

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!