It was a typical midweek evening at one of Surry Hills’ iconic bars. The usual scene, awkward couples on Tinder dates struggling to make conversation. But in the corner of the balcony something extraordinary was happening: a date that did not begin online.
Suspicions aroused when the two first met for the evening. It was at the bar of all places.
Bartender Pablo recalls the scene. “I ask who next. They both say the other was. I didn’t know who to serve, they both insisted the other be served it was actually a bit cute…”
To compound the issue witnesses confirmed they entered the bar that night with separate groups.
“After serving both of them they moved to the side of the bar and continued talking for several minutes before moving to the corner balcony. It happened right in front of me…’ stated a breathless Pablo.
Upstairs neither was heard to remark ‘nice to meet you’. In fact, as eye witnesses account, it looked as if the two actually knew each other.
“I swear they’d met before” said Rachel, Surry Hills resident. “Neither shook hands, or giggled nervously, it was weird. And as soon as she sat down he didn’t run off to get drinks so I knew something strange was happening.”
The couple continued getting along famously with no pauses in the conversation. Excited whispers quickly moved around the balcony and throughout the cocktail bar that some ‘freaks’ were in the house.
Concern spread amongst the patrons. “Not meeting someone online? Are they mental?” said local Jen. “A few of us started to be worried about our safety. I mean, if they’re going to not meet online what else are they going to do? It’s not normal.”
Others were overcome with curiosity.
“We just had to know: if they didn’t meet online, how else did they meet?”
The locals decided to take action. After much debate it was decided that Stewart, of Rainford Street, would get to the bottom of this.
He nervously approached the couple under the guise of asking for a cigarette. After being told that neither smoked he asked the two how their night was going.
“They seemed nice enough. Perhaps a little too nice. Did they have something to hide? Maybe. Either way better to be safe than sorry”.
After a brief meeting the locals decided to approach management.
Bar manager Dan was alerted to the situation. “I had heard rumblings throughout the evening that a non-Tinder date was taking place somewhere within the precinct. Obviously I was concerned but I decided to let things take their course. But after patrons began worrying I decided to act.”
Dan spoke to security who approached the couple. “Everything seemed normal. They weren’t intoxicated or posed a threat to others but obviously we called police and they were ejected shortly afterwards.”
If you know these individuals please contact The Surry Hills Times. Do not approach the two.
