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 Ellie and Alyeen up at Pedros Tacos & Tequila Bar.

Meet the Daters!

Name: Ellie

Sign: Aries

Occupation: Outdoor Education

Why are you going on Rooster’s Blind Date? My friend loves to read them with me, so I signed up. 

What’s a good way to win you over: Be funny, be silly, and make jokes. 

Most irrational fear: Losing my teeth.

What’s your greatest strength: My optimism and compassion. 

Do you want kids? Depends on how the world goes. Like, what are they going to get up to in 30 years? 

What do you geek out on? Plant and bird identification. 

Immediate red flags: Someone who doesn’t care about things or is non-committal. 

Immediate green flags: Someone with passions and who wants to learn about my life.

What is your toxic trait as a partner? I don’t text back. Ever. I have like 300 unread texts right now. 

One thing you can’t live without? My dog and whipped cream. Best dessert ever.

Why did your last relationship end? She was mean. She made me cry at the bar in front of all my friends, every time we went out. 

Celebrity crush: Robin Wall Kimmerer, the ecologist. She’s not a crush, but I want to be her. 

Guilty pleasure: Listening to an entire audio fiction podcast in one sitting. 

Name: Alyeen

Sign: Triple Libra

Occupation: Crystal Reiki Master + Medium

Why are you going on Rooster’s Blind Date? I like meeting new people getting to know the queer scene here.

What’s a good way to win you over: I love getting compliments and feeling seen and heard.  

Most irrational fear: If I bought a car that doesn’t match my outfit. Everything has to match my outfit. 

What’s your greatest strength: I’m multi-faceted with my talents and a multidisciplinary person. 

Do you want kids? I’ve never been in a relationship before, so I can’t even imagine myself having kids. 

What do you geek out on? Ancestorial healing, decolonization, collective liberation, and revolution. 

Immediate red flags: Mental instability, not knowing who they are, if they don’t care.

Immediate green flags: A person who is ambitious and wants to be a part of change.  

What is your toxic trait as a partner? With men, it’s that I’m a lesbian. I’ve dated men and lied about it. I’m wishy-washy. 

One thing you can’t live without? The Earth. 

Why did your last relationship end? I was in a situationship with a man, but it ended because I’m a lesbian. 

Celebrity crush: Willow Smith. 

Guilty pleasure: Gay fan fiction.

ROUND 1

What’s better than a hot summer night? Enjoying ice-cold margaritas on a Pearl Street Patio. Tonight, we are at Pedro’s Tacos & Tequila Bar, eagerly awaiting the arrival of our two daters, Alyeen and Ellie. Alyeen comes dressed like a fairy, a vibe we can get behind. Ellie arrives and is greeted with a warm welcome. We sip on our margaritas while they take off to break the ice and get to know each other. 

How are things going so far? 

A: It’s going great. We have a lot in common, and I like her ambition. We’re both activists and care about climate change and dismantling systems. She’s really funny and makes me feel safe. 

E: I think it’s going pretty well. She has a lot of cool insight and thinks a lot about how to mix nature and therapy, which is her job. She’s really good at having conversations and chatting it up. 

What were your first impressions of the dater? 

A:  She’s a little reserved, but I think that’s because I am an extreme extrovert. But she’s definitely bubbly and talkative just as much as I am. 

E: I thought her outfit was cool, and her hair is very beautiful. She’s very smiley. 

What was the first thing you noticed about your date?

A: Her bangs. I like her hair. I like her smile. She has really nice eyes. She has a sweet personality. 

E: She’s very present and makes a lot of eye contact. She was really kind, wants to chat, and cares about people. 

Is this the type of person you’d normally date?

A: Not really. I’m more into sapphic girly girls. I like girls who wear makeup and dresses. I feel like she’s more of a chapstick, not a lipstick. But I’m into chapstick. 

E: Not really. I usually date more masc-presenting people, but yes, because she’s interested in the environment, people, and justice. So yes. 

Where do you normally meet partners?

A: Events, festivals, dating apps, friends, parties… Anywhere. 

E: At a bar or at the river. I love Boulder Creek or Clear Creek. It depends on where my date is at.  

What are you most nervous about for tonight? 

A: I’m not usually nervous about dates. I’m nervous about the fact that I have to go back and forth to the interview, and it’s kind of awkward. It doesn’t feel awkward now, just new. 

E: Having no expectations of what they would be like. Who she would be, and  coming to answer the questions which is weird. I don’t feel like it is weird now, for the record. 

Did you get any advice for the date?

A: No, but I got advice from her. For most of my life, I would identify as pansexual, but after dating three men, I thought I was fully lesbian. She is fully lesbian, so we were talking about what that’s like. 

E: Definitely. I was talking to my coworkers today about how I was doing this and all of them told me to take a shower, but I don’t think that’s advice. 

How did you prepare for the date?

A: I channeled the Aphrodite energy into my body, my outfit, my makeup, and my feelings. I didn’t consciously prepare or do any affirmations in the mirror. It’s important that I feel confident, that I love myself, and I feel comfortable. I love myself, and if the other person doesn’t, that’s not my problem.  

E: I listened to some Charli xcx and took a shower. And I had my best friend decide what outfit I was going to wear. 

How did your date dress tonight?

A: I think she wore a casual, cute tube top and jeans. It’s a pretty gay fit. I like it. Like a cardigan, pants, and a tube top. 

E: Really cool. Definitely a lot more dressed up than I am. She has a great outfit. I’m impressed and underdressed. 

What are you looking forward to in the next round?

A: Food. I have not eaten anything all day. I just don’t have time. And to keep talking. She’s really fun. 

E: Talking more. I think she’s really fun to talk to. And the mole enchiladas sound really yummy! 

ROUND 2

Despite a few differences, Alyeen and Ellie find common ground in their shared passion for activism and the environment. The nerves are fading, or maybe that’s just the tequila. But is there a spark? They are hungry, and their plant-based dinners are en route, so we let them get back to it. Meanwhile, we sip on Perdo’s Champagnerita, which is a new Rooster favorite.

How was dinner at Pedro’s?

A: It was great! Great food. Great vibes. I love the music. Great company, too. 

E: Really good. I love mole. Super good. 

How’s the date going?

A: It’s sweet. She’s really fun. I’m having a good time. We’re laughing and we have a lot in common. I’m enjoying her presence. 

E: Great! She’s really funny, and I like what she has to say. And she has good ideas. 

Do you two have anything in common? 

A: Yes. We have similar views in life, queer, focused on revolution and making the world a better place. And we both love our dogs. 

E: Yeah. We both care about other people, social justice, activism, dogs, and the environment. And being gay and figuring out being a lesbian in the world we live in. 

What do you like about your date? 

A: I love the way she’s really easy to talk to. She makes me feel safe and comfortable in myself. We effortlessly go from one topic to another. Deep and topics. The more comfortable we get, the easier it is to be attracted to her. 

E: She’s very pretty. I like talking to her and learing about her life. She’s really funny, and she has a great sense of style. 

What do you not like about your date?

A: I don’t like this question! I don’t like judging people. 

E: I don’t think there’s anything I don’t like. 

What’s the most attractive thing your date has done so far?

A: I like the way her eyes glow up when she’s talking about something she’s passionate about. And she’s been complimenting me, which is really cute. 

E: She made me laugh. She was comparing my dog to a weird-looking guy she saw on the street. They both have bug eyes.

How would your parents feel about the dater? 

A: My parents are extremely homophobic. I don’t tell them about my moments. I would flirt with women in front of my mom to get her upset. So edgy.

E: Honestly, I don’t really like my parents, so I don’t have much to say. 

What’s been the best part of the date so far?

A: The best part was the food! I was so hungry! The other best part has been us talking about our lives, what we do, what we like, and our friends. She’s really easy to talk to and I’m having fun. 

E: Talking to her and hearing about her stuff. Her world. It sounds cool. 

What could make the date better? 

A: Dancing to Latin music. Alcohol and dancing always make things better. 

E: I can’t think of anything right now. Check in tomorrow. 

How’s the chemistry on a scale of 1 to 10? 

A: 5. I feel like our personalities are very different. We have very different upbringings and cultural differences. I’m more fast-paced than she is. She’s really down to earth, which I appreciate. But I need fast-paced fire.

E: 6. I think it would go up if we were doing something besides just sitting around. I don’t like to flirt, and I’d rather just talk. It’s a hard line when you’re gay. Sometimes they want to be friends because there isn’t a romantic vibe.

Where would you like the night to go from here?

A: I have plans after this. My friends and I are throwing a Juneteenth party tomorrow. I already invited her. 

E: Another drink, maybe? 

Do you think there’s going to be a second date?

A: Maybe. I’m not sure. 

E: I think so. We’ll see what she says. Maybe go on a walk, be outside somewhere, go see the rare bird in Boulder. That’s what my heart desires. 

Do you think there will be a hug, kiss or exchange of numbers?

A: Hug and numbers, yes. No kiss. No kisses on the first date. 

E: Exchange of numbers. I want a kiss or a hug, but we’ll see. I’m not the most flirty person. So we’ll see. 

ROUND 3

Things seem to be going well, mostly. Alyeen is sending out mixed signals. One moment she’s questioning their compatibility, the next she’s inviting Ellie to her party. Meanwhile, Ellie’s ready for a kiss and a post-dinner Pearl Street stroll. As they dig into some churros, we sneak out, curious to see if things got sweeter after we left. 

What happened after Rooster left? 

A: We stayed for another 25 minutes and kept talking. It was cute. We walked to her car, and she drove me home. There were definitely some flirty vibes. I invited her to my party tonight, and she’s going to come. 

E: We chatted for a while longer and ate some churros! Then, I drove Alyeen home.

What was the best part of the date and why? 

A: The walk to her car was nice and flirtatious. She was feeding me a lot of compliments and being really flirtatious. 

E: The conversation and meeting a cool person! Also, the experience of being interviewed mid-date. 

Would you have changed anything about the date?

A: No, not really. I think it went well. 

E: Maybe just get to hang out for longer. 

Was there a goodnight kiss, hug or exchange of numbers? 

A: There was a hug and an exchange of numbers. And we’re going to see each other again today! 

E: A hug and exchange of numbers. 

Will there be a second date? 

A: Maybe. I don’t know yet. It depends on the vibes tonight. I like following electricity, following sparks. If there’s no electricity, I’m not going to follow it. 

E: I think so! 

Any advice for future blind daters? 

A: Just have fun, enjoy yourself, and be confident in yourself. If you don’t love yourself, nobody else will. 

E: Have fun with it!

Conclusion

So, was it a love connection? Maybe. Numbers were exchanged, hugs were had, and party invites were extended (to be fair, we were invited, too). Ellie’s feeling hopeful, and Alyeen? She’ll follow the sparks, wherever they decide to take her. Until next time! 

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!