Each month, Rooster Magazine taps into the singles scene and plucks out a few thirsty people to try and them match up on our dime. For most, the night is nothing more than free food and drinks with a third-wheel hovering over them the whole time dipping fingers into the appetizers. For others, it's a match made in awkward heaven. 

Name: Celia  
Hometown: Boulder, Colo. 
Dream job: I want to be a pediatric nurse. 

Biggest pet peeve: 
People who are rude to waitstaff. 

Describe what you look for in a partner: 
Someone I can travel with, ski and hike. Just an adventurer. 

One thing you can’t live without?
Chapstick. 

Why do you think you’re a catch? 
I’m pretty easy going. I’m very lighthearted — I just want to have a good time and I’m genuine. 

Do you think you’re a jealous person? 
Not really. It kind of depends on the scenario. 

Favorite TV series to binge on? 
The Office. I can watch that anytime. 

Most annoying habit other couples do? 
Excessive PDA.

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Name: Davey
Hometown: New Jersey, somewhere near the ocean. 
Dream job: Rock star!

Biggest pet peeve: 
I’m pretty easy going so not much, but I guess me losing things. Ask my roommate, I do it all the time. 

Describe what you look for in a partner: 
Someone who’s easy going.  Like, no drama. 

One thing you can’t live without?
Music. 

Why do you think you’re a catch? 
Because I’ve put the work in. I work hard. 

Do you think you’re a jealous person?
No. 

Favorite TV series to binge on? 
Rick and Morty. 

Most annoying habit other couples do? 
Over the top PDA.

The introductions get going as everyone heads inside to drink the awkward away. As everyone waits, the couple talks it out to extract the first date basics. Then, onto the third-wheel questions.

Before having a chance to meet them, what’s going through your head?
C: I was a little nervous, but also excited. I’ve never been on a blind date before.  
D: I think it’s funny going into a blind date. You could imagine who will be across the table from you, but you’re better off just waiting and finding out.  

Then you see the dater, what are you thinking?
C: He seemed a little bit shorter than me, and that was a concern. But he was good looking and I was excited to sit down and chat. 
D: That’s a badass leather jacket! 

What’s the first thing you noticed about them?
C: He seemed a little reserved. 
D: Still, the leather jacket. Plus, I’m a sucker for blondes. 

How were the first impressions?
C: He seemed a little shy, like I was asking a lot of questions and kind of digging, but I don’t totally blame him at all. This is kind of a different situation. 
D: She’s really calm. And she listens to good music. She’s working on her nursing degree — it’s cool to see ambition. 

Are they someone you’d normally date?
C:  I’m not sure if I know him well enough to say that.  
D:  Yeah. 

What are you looking for from the other dater?
C:  I just want to have a good conversation, get to know him a little bit more, and laugh. 
D:  I’m expecting nothing. I’m looking forward to ingenuity.  

Three words that describe your current dating life:
C: Minimal, difficult, sporadic. 
D: Hectic, disorganized, unapologetic. 

Where do you usually meet people?
C:  Work and friends of friends.  
D:  Pearl Street. I DJ a lot, so a lot of people come through. It’s really cool when people come up to me and appreciate what I’m doing. 

What advice did your friends give you?
C: They definitely said have a couple drinks, and be open also to not be too quick to judge.  
D: Let me know when it’s posted so they can read it and laugh at me.

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To loosen things up a bit, everyone decides the date needs a Green Tea shot from the bar — it’s worked for other dates, maybe we’ll call it the “Blind Date Shot” from here on out. After finishing drinks and dinner, we again pull them aside to see if their conversation has led to more attraction.

How was dinner?
C: It was good. He started to open up a little bit more. Maybe it was the Green Tea shot. 
D: It was delicious. Definitely a big thanks to The Lazy Dog for having us.  

How’s the date going?
C: It’s been good. I think we definitely have a few things in common, which is always nice to hear. I don’t know if he’s now someone that I would typically date though.  
D: Good. I feel like it’s been really easy to talk.  

Now that you’ve had time, are you attracted to them?
C: To be honest, no. A little, but I’m not crazy about it at this point. 
D: I like her. I’m looking forward to shooting some pool and talking more. 

If you could give them a trophy what would it be for?
C: He’s a talented guy. He’s a DJ and I really respect that. He’s creative, so good for him. 
D: She’s probably earned lots of trophies in college while she was on the horseback riding team, so she doesn’t need another one from me. 

What do you and the dater have in common?
C: We’re both pretty active, outdoorsy people, which I do love and is something I’m looking for. He skis, hikes and runs.
D: We both like GRiZ and Big Gigantic. Can’t go wrong there.  

Are you holding back?
C: Maybe a little. It takes me awhile to get to know someone.  Maybe more than the average person.  
D: I don’t think so. I think after the Green Tea shots it’d be hard to. 

What would your friends and family say about them?
C: They would say he’s a nice guy. He seems like he’s a talented dude and has a lot going for him. They would probably say give him a chance.  
D: I don’t know, ask them. Don’t know, don’t care. 

How’s the chemistry?
C: I think it’s okay. I wouldn’t say it’s amazing. I would like to be a little more giggly and hear some more jokes.  
D: There. 

Are you looking forward to more time with them?
C: Maybe. I don’t want to judge too soon, you should really give someone more time to get to know them. 
D: Yeah, I think it should be a good game of pool.  

How did Rooster do picking your date and date spot?
C: This is a great spot. It’s casual, and it’s comfortable. As far as him, I defs appreciate it and I think we have a lot in common. I don’t know how physically attracted I am at this point.  
D: Great. It’s cool because I’m here all the time for their Open Jam every Tuesday, so I feel right at home. 

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Even though the attraction isn’t quite there, the date seems to be going well regardless. Well enough at least to make plans to go from the date to play pool.  We let the kids go do their thing and follow up with them to see how it went without Rooster hovering over the night — and if we missed anything juicy.

What happened after dinner? 
C: We went to License No. 1 for a couple beers and pool. I won every game! Just kidding, I’m terrible at pool, but it was a good end to the night. 
D: Went and shot pool over at License No. 1. 

What was your favorite part of the date?
C: Probably going to License No. 1. I think we were both a little more comfortable with each other at that point.
D: I liked when the Rooster crew came through with Green Tea shots. [laughs] We were already on our second Moscow Mule by then so I was feelin’ good.

After all was said and done, how was the night?
C: It wasn’t your average date! But I think it’s fun to do something different, I had a good time. 
D: Honestly, you guys opened my eyes to blind dates. I’m the worst at making plans, texting, etc, but the Rooster took care of all that, and Lazy Dog even picked up the check. You guys picked good company too — I’m glad she was down to laugh and say what was on her mind.  

Would you have changed anything about the date?
C: Maybe would have ordered a few more drinks!
D: No regrets!

Final question, would you go on a second date with them? 
C: I would totally be down to hang out with him again, but at this point I think it would be just as friends. 
D: Who knows. I feel like we both have our own busy lives and neither of us are looking for much. If the circumstances align, sure, but sounds like she’s starting a new chapter in Denver.

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Conclusion:

Once again our fancy dating algorithm for finding strangers love needs tweaking. It sounds like the couple had a great time, but the chemistry just wasn’t there. Even with the laid-back atmosphere, bomb-ass bar-b-que and libations flowing at Lazy Dog, we just couldn’t get it right for these strangers. Give us more submissions so we can better calculate this next date and really make it a match!