12 August 14 - 20, 2025 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents Matcha Made in Heaven Friendliness is part of a barista’s job description, but are they working for more than just the tip? BY ALYSSA FIELDS F or many Dallasites, a morning dose of espresso is the crucial precursor to a good day, and the smooth bite of a piping cup of Arabica tastes even better when poured by a cute barista, which Dallas has many of. But service industry workers de- pend on tips to pay their bills, so the job of- ten naturally lends itself to an appropriate amount of friendliness — and flirting. So, how can you tell if the frothy heart poured on the top of your cappuccino is subliminal messaging, or if your favorite barista is flirt- ing for more than just the tip? We asked the baristas at one of Dallas’ hottest coffee shops, and the answer is indefinite. Wayward Coffee Co., located in a quaint and historical corner of Oak Cliff, attracts a fair amount of regular customers, equally valuing the caffeine offerings and the drink-slinging baristas pouring them. Of the few single baris- tas, only one said they would never consider sleeping with a customer, so the odds of kiss- ing your favorite barista are not exactly zero. “It definitely happens,” says Tyler Squires, one of Dallas’ most eligible baristas. “I can’t speak from personal experience, but it’s definitely common.” But he’s not opposed to the idea, so la- dies, single-file. In the three weeks between pitching, in- terviewing latte artists, ordering cappucci- nos and writing this story, a third single barista just so happened to embark on a ro- mantic affair with a regular customer. Call it dumb, call it luck, call it love, but we’re cer- tainly not calling it a coincidence. Most of the baristas are partnered, and an unignorable amount met those partners while milk steamed and shots pulled. One of them even married a regular, so if the oppor- tunity to shoot your shot with your favorite barista does present itself, assume the charm of a barista goes beyond the counter, and prepare yourself to fall in love forever. Olive Thomas has been on both sides of the bar, working as a coffee-making flirt and also tipping a little extra when the cute one is on shift at her favorite coffee shop. Turns out, maybe you can buy love after all, be- cause she is now engaged to her favorite barista after two years of dating. It only took about three months of frequenting his shop before they went on a first date. “I walked in, we locked eyes, it was instant,” she says. “We just hit it off. But he didn’t want to just ask out a regular. That’s why both of us waited a little bit longer. I specifically didn’t want to ask him out while he was on shift be- cause I thought it was weird and corner-y.” Thomas recommends similar advice for anyone with a crush on someone in the ser- vice industry. At the end of the day, you’re on their turf, so tread lightly. “Don’t push at all,” she says. “This is my job. I have to be here five days a week. You may think I’m cute, but I have a job to do.” In fact, she didn’t make the first move un- til she saw her now-fiancé in the real world and off the clock, which she says is a testa- ment to the idea of fate. “You should wait until you see them out in the world because if it’s meant to be, you will see them outside of their job,” she says. “You will just run into them eventually.” If you really feel like your barista is inter- ested, you should know, competition is pretty high. Thomas says the average barista gets flirted with at least twice a day, and five times, at minimum, on weekends. Most of the time, they’re going to feed into it a little to secure an extra few dollars; it’s just the way things go, so don’t read into it too much. But if you have read the room wrong and strike out, just find a new coffee shop; Dallas has plenty of them. ▼ THINGS TO DO WIZARDING WORLD THE HARRY POTTER EXHIBITION IS COMING TO DALLAS IN OCTOBER. HERE ARE THE FIVE BEST THINGS YOU’LL SEE. BY PRESTON BARTA A ccio excitement, Potterheads. It’s time to dust off your Hogwarts robes, because Harry Potter: The Exhibition is making its way to Dallas. It’s shaping up to be a big year for immer- sive exhibitions in North Texas, and this limited-run experience is set to transport witches, wizards and muggles alike into the enchanting world of the Boy Who Lived. After captivating millions of fans world- wide, Harry Potter: The Exhibition is finally debuting in Dallas on October 24 at Pepper Square. According to a press release for the exhi- bition, Dallas was chosen for its “family- friendly environment and great appreciation for storytelling and adventure.” It’s a fitting home for this unparalleled experience that celebrates over two decades’ worth of magi- cal moments. From the first-edition book in the Gringotts-inspired vault to your name on the Marauder’s Map, this exhibit truly brings the Wizarding World to life. We can’t wait to walk through the galleries, cast a couple of spells and soak up the nostalgia of one of fandom’s most beloved worlds. So, we’ve cast our minds over the exhibi- tion with five moments that are likely to de- liver pure magic at the Dallas stop. 1. Explore the Hogwarts Gallery What’s more magical than the Hogwarts Cas- tle itself? This gallery is a dream for Potter- heads who’ve spent countless hours wishing they could roam its hallowed halls. Featuring an immersive multimedia experience with dazzling elements like the Marauder’s Map, Dementors and even the Whomping Willow, this exhibit is pure enchantment. Here’s the kicker — your name will appear on the Ma- rauder’s Map during the experience, inviting you to continue exploring. “I solemnly swear I am up to no good…” indeed. Whether you’re sneaking off to Hogsmeade or avoiding a mysterious bog- gart, this interactive setup sounds like some- thing straight out of the books. This exhibit will be a stunning visual homage that “celebrates the extended world of Harry Potter like no other touring exhibi- tion has done before,” CEO Tom Zaller said in a press release 2. Pick Your House Even the most casual of Potter fans have likely taken the Sorting Hat test online. At this exhibition, you get to live that experi- ence for real. When you pre-register for your Hogwarts house at the exhibit, the gal- lery will tailor parts of your visit to match your chosen allegiance. For fans looking to celebrate all four Hog- warts houses, the gallery features a celebratory hall complete with beautiful stained-glass crests and, of course, the iconic Sorting Hat it- self — perfect for photo ops to flood your Insta- gram feed faster than a Firebolt. Even if you’re torn between houses, this gallery celebrates them all, ensuring you won’t have to choose between bravery, am- bition, intelligence or loyalty. Pro tip: pre- pare your best “Not Slytherin” moment for maximum dramatic effect. 3. Cast Spells and Brew Potions Get ready to live out your magical academic dreams. The Hogwarts Classrooms gallery is packed with iconic setups from the films and books. Pot your very own mandrake, brew potions worthy of Snape’s praise (or disdain), predict your future in divination, and face your fears in defense against the dark arts. This interactive experience is ideal for fans of all ages, whether you’re a first-year re- living the tutorial years or a NEWT-level wiz- ard ready to duel. Harry may have been “The Chosen One,” but no one does homework quite like Hermione, and this exhibit is your chance to match her academic prowess. 4. Uncover Magical Creatures Beware! Venturing into the Forbidden For- est means crossing paths with centaurs, Ac- romantula and more. But fear not, there’s also an interactive Patronus charm experi- ence to fend off any lurking Dementors. This section of the exhibition doubles as an homage to some of the most heart-stop- ping moments from the films, including Harry’s iconic encounter with his stag Pa- tronus. And if you’ve always wanted to feel like Hagrid, his modest hut is recreated for cozy dwelling — just watch out for the fiery creatures. 5. Shop Harry Potter Merch No visit to a Harry Potter event would be complete without souvenirs, and the exhibi- tion shop promises to be next level. From chocolate frogs to butterbeer (bottled and draft), this exclusive retail experience offers magical keepsakes unavailable anywhere else. Whether you’re after a new wand or the perfect Hogwarts apparel, there’s some- thing here for everyone. Tickets go on sale September 10 on the exhibition’s website, with a pre-sale offer available for waitlist members for early ac- cess on September 9. So, mark your calen- dar, grab your robe and prepare for a spellbinding adventure. ▼ Culture Adobe Stock Our very own news editor, Kelly Dearmore, was once a coffee shop manager and dated a regular, so it is possible. Courtesy of Imagine Exhibitions Harry Potter: The Exhibition is interactive.
