From complimentary glam stations to ubiquitous red roses to real-life meet ups, Philips Arena turned the Atlanta Hawks game Saturday night into a place where singles were looking to score a win - in the love department.
While the Atlanta Hawks battled against the Houston Rockets Saturday, singles had plenty of opportunity to mix and mingle at event that teamed up with Tinder, a popular dating app. There was even a dating game center court during the half time.
Here are four scenes from the Atlanta Hawks’ second Tinder night in an event coined, “Swipe Right 2.0.”
A Tinder love connection still strong 14 months later:
Ben McCleskey, 21, and Avery Armstrong, 23, were acquaintances when the Hawks hosted its first Tinder night in January 2015, but decided to meet face-to-face at the Tinder night. The two college students, who both attend Shorter University, have been dating ever since. Armstrong and McCleskey enjoy watching Hawks games and while McCleskey has long been a die-hard Hawks fan, Armstrong said she is now one, too. The couple had a chance to sit in Harry’s Love Nest, 7-and-a-half feet-tall giant perch located at the bottom of section 108 for much of the game
“We have such great seats,” said McCleskey.
“Yes, we feel really lucky,” added Armstrong
Two sisters looking for love:
Sharon Jackson, a season-ticket holder, convinced her younger sister Tammy Whiteset to join her for the Tinder night event. Wearing matching Paul Millsap jerseys, the sisters, smiled while they mingled in the the Swipe Right Suite in Party Suites D & E. (next to RED restaurant.) Neither had any experience with Tinder but thought why not?
“It is interesting,” remarked Jackson.
Guys and girls at glam stations: Celines Solis, 23, wearing a fitted white tank top, got her long brown hair curled in a complimentary hair and make up salon set up above Hawk Walk (the landing platform from the escalator on the way to the 300-Level seats). Solis, who was there with a group of friends, said it was "a fun, social thing to do with her friends." Meanwhile, Dondre Jackson, got a touch up in a makeshift barber shop. Visiting Atlanta from Richmond, Va., he was intrigued by Tinder night.
“It is an interesting promotional tactic,” he said. “I usually don’t follow the crowd but this time, I decided to follow the crowd.”
Hawks CEO Steve Koonin makes a generous offer to the lovebirds:
Thrilled to learn a couple who started dating after the first Hawks Tinder night (McCleskey and Armstrong) are still going strong, he told them if they get married, the Hawks would be happy to host the wedding, and, Koonin said he would foot the bill. “My treat,” he said. Koonin said last January’s ‘Swipe Right Night’ allowed a broad audience to experience the creativity and fun of the Hawks brand.
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