Viral Tinder date story about £15,000 Shard Tinder date wine bill not true

We’ve been duped

Romantic couple in restaurant (Istock)

Almost a week after a story about a nightmare Tinder date struck fear in the hearts of singletons across the UK, it has turned out the now infamous “Shard wine” incident is nothing but a fable.

Last week, a viral rumour circulated on WhatsApp and Twitter about a woman who ended up with a £15,000 bill following a disastrous date at the London landmark.

The woman, according to several tweets describing the incident, was thought to have gone on a first date to the 95-storey skyscrapper following a stressful day at work.

During the date, people claimed that the woman and her suitor ordered three bottles of wine from the menu which they believed to be worth £50, only to later realise they were £500 per bottle.

As a result of the misunderstanding, it was believed that the woman was unable to pay off the debt and had to set up a 10-year direct debit to the Shard to pay off the sum in instalments.

It is unknown what came of the man during the date but several Twitter users believe that he scarpered on hearing the bill's amount.

While the story has caused a stir on social media platforms and was the subject of conversation during the Radio 1 Breakfast Show on Monday, it turns out the tale is nothing short of a lie.

The BBC reports that the company that runs businesses at the Shard, Real Estate Management UK (REM), has received countless enquiries about the “incident” since news of it came to light.

However, according to a statement provided to The Independent by REM, the vendors operating in the London landmark have "confirmed this alleged incident did not happen on their premises".

In addition, the most expensive bottle of wine currently on sale at the Aqua Shard – the bar where the incident was claimed to have taken place – is a 1990 Chateau Lafite Rothschild which is worth £2,300.

When news of the story emerged, several Twitter users came out expressing doubt over its validity.

“My main point would be that the top price wine I can find at the Shard is £2400. Also I worked in a really really posh bar, and you know the difference between billionaires and people just out for a nice drink,” wrote another.

One commented: "I’ve now heard that Tinder date Shard wine story every day for the last 6 days, from different people that I know, that I don’t know, who’s friend it was, from all over the country and Twitter. I’m calling bullsh**...[sic]"

However, others expressed sympathy for the woman in question and even suggested Twitter users set up a fundraising page to help her pay back the debt.

“Where is the girl who accidentally ordered 3 £5000 bottles of wine at the shard thinking they were £50?!?! Set up a go fund me page gal I will donate [sic],” wrote one user.

Another added: "I can’t stop thinking about the girl that has a direct debit to the shard to pay off 15k worth of wine."

While the story might not be true, it's certainly a lesson to us all to always read the fine print.