It’s been said before: You can’t hurry love. You can, however, impose a time limit.
In an effort to open new dating avenues to residents, the Bull Ring Restaurant and Lounge, 8234 M-15 in Goodrich, will host their version of ‘The Dating Game? 8 p.m. to midnight on Aug.26.
‘The Bull Ring is always trying to do different stuff,? said manager Vicki Cushman.
In the 60s game show, a contestant would interview three potential dating partners’sight unseen? asking questions that would help him or her determine which of the three he or she would go on a date with.
Bull Ring’s version will be a bit different, explains Cushman. First, participants will be divided by age and gender, to eliminate some potentially awkward pairings.
Next, the women from each group will draw a number from a hat, or bowl, or …something people draw numbers from, with men from the corresponding group drawing corresponding numbers. Then, couples are matched up by the numbers they drew, i.e., the woman who drew a nine will be paired with the man who drew a nine. If there is an uneven number of men and women, Cushman says she’s got a couple of back-up daters waiting in the wings.
At this point, the couple is sent to a table to go on a ‘date? for one hour. When the hour is up, the process repeats itself twice more, with the hope that at least one of the person’s three ‘dates? leads to a connection. ‘If nothing else, they might make a friend,? says Cushman.
‘It’s something different,? says Cushman, who said the idea seemed like a unique opportunity for someone tired of the same old avenues when looking for love.
Cushman says dress for the event is casual. There will be drink and food specials and the bar is open to anyone who would just like to watch the would-be lovebirds.
However, Cushman admits since this is the first time the Bull Ring has hosted such an event, there is a certain element of uncertainty about the whole thing.
Don’t think she’s worried though.
‘I learn as I go, I do my best to make it happen and make it fun,? says Cushman, smiling. ‘I’ve been running this place for 23 years. I can make a lot of magic happen.?
But what happens if five minutes into the hour-long date, you realize your partner just isn’t the one for you?
‘Do a lot of shots,? laughs Cushman.