Think Virtual Dating Always Sucks? Think Again Sure, Zoom calls lack ambiance. But they're an antidote to a sometimes impersonal culture of hookups and expectations. By Christy Carley 2/12/2021 at 8:30am Haley* matched with Kellen* on the last Monday of March 2020âalmost a week into Washingtonâs âStay Home, Stay Healthyâ order. By that weekend, they had dreamed up a first date: âWe would meet at Shelter Lounge in Ballard and get a drink or some snacks,â Haley says. From there, they would hit up Mox Boarding House (a bar meets board game library) across the street, and finish up with dessert at Salt and Straw a few blocks away. Â