MichaelC:
A- It says without shidduchim, not without a shadchan — i.e. they have to meet first.
B- Chasidim do not have a mesorah predating the Talmud.
C- There is a middle ground between a shadchan and a bar. Even if there weren’t halachic issues with drinking in a non-Jewish bar, from what I hear, it is very unlikely you will meet a girl who you actually want to see again.