INTRO
 
OK so my first real post here I'll try to make it as concise as possible.
I went to local bar that had live music (alone). The place wasn't very busy. My goal here wasn't to close necessarily, just open sets and get used to being out alone, since I've been out of the game for awhile.
My anxiety was on full blast right from the start there were a few large sets and a 4 set (I thought it might be the bands GF's)
So I opened the bartender (a guy...but hey gotta start talking right?).
I probably spent a good hour and half just sitting there drinking my bear watching the band by myself as the place began to fill up. I hadn't opened one set yet.
 
FIRST SET (SET 1)
 
I spotted a two set at the other end of the bar but since I was alone approaching a two set seemed a little intimidating. (HB 9 and a 7) So...to get this thing rolling...
I go to the bathroom and when I come out the two set (9,7) are at my chair waiting for a drink. I direct approach since its my chair and say something along the lines of "Excuse me are you trying to steal my coat" they look confused. "oh is this your seat? Sorry I thought you were coming over here to talk to us."
I can't remember what I said next but the one girl (7) started singing and the other one was talking to me.
At this point I'd like to bring up the fact that all the shit I've learned over the years went straight out the window (ring rust if you will), I wasn't leaning back, I was pecking, I was negging (actual "negs" no insults) but not calibrating it to the HB 9 and I could see she was losing interest so I told her she should probably go take care of her friend (who at this point essentially told us to talk to each other while she went dancing). she left and went to the dance floor.
 
SET 2
 
So a little set up. Set 2 was a 4 set (3F,1M) this was an older set (probably mid 40's) the HB's were a 5 and two 6's.
So I head back to the bathroom and on my out a very large guy is in my way. just so happens the 6 from set 2 is coming out of the bathroom as well and I give her a look like "really?" so I ask the guy to move and I let the 6 go by. I walk slightly ahead of her and say something like "I thought we were gonna be stuck there forever" she laughs I continue back to my chair.
 
SET 1 REDUX
 
So when I sit down the HB 9 from set one come over and tries to "steal" my coat. (clear IOI) so I reopen with something, again for some reason I'm not on my A game but I'm holding her interest. she asks my name so I'm like "hi I'm renaissance" and I ask her her name. She tells me so as I can see im running out of things to say so I basically invite myself over to their section of the bar and sit down and introduce myself to her friend. At this point I feel like the friend is pushing the HB 9 on me. I see this as a good thing. but its funny because I don't feel I've won over the friend yet.
At this point the friend says that her ride is coming to get "them" so I'm assuming that this set is leaving. a guy comes in and I introduce myself to him and the girls head to the bathroom. the guy is being friendly and all that and is clearly here for the friend and not the HB 9. the gils come back and they are pissed! the friend rolls out with the dude and the HB 9 sticks around (I think this is good?!?). except she sits one chair over from me (a spare chair in the middle...) long story short. HB 9 wanted to stay out much later but had no ride home and friend wanted to leave and said she could get them a ride. but buddy showed up early. so HB 9 spends the next 5 minutes fuming...I calm her down acting wise and knowing, I let her vent a bit and tell her lets just concentrate on having a good night NOW. she agrees and she asks me if I want a shot...I say yes (she pays) so I reciprocate and buy her a drink. She starts back up with her phone so I go to the bathroom.

 
reopen set 2
 
on my way back I reopen set 2 and they make some some jokes about the guy that was blocking the hall and how much money they would need to sleep with him. (this set Is a lot more fun than SET 1 but lower HB and I'm a glutton for punishment so I walk)
 
end of night
 
Thanks for sticking around this long. So me and HB 9 get into what I figure is C1-C2 lots of Kino (from me mostly) and we are having normal friendly conversation. finally bar is closing and she calls an UBER. she asks for my number and I give it to her. I walk her out and we part ways.
 

Things that went right
 
- Opening: Once I got going opening was not an issue
- Kino: I was always on top of this constantly playfull and not lingering.
- Confident: again once I was in set I was comfortable and confident. I didn't get what I would call "shit tests" but I feel like I handled it well.
 
Points to improve
 
well...there were a lot
- Approach: there were at least 6 sets in the room and I opened 2 of them...and those were 100% situational. I need to work on cold approach.
- Transition: Transition to comfort was rough and took way too long. It was clear that I was not DHV'ing enough
- Negs: my negs were probably not needed but I think I over valued the HB or undervalued her interest in me.
- AFC traits: I was all over the place with this. I was pecking, turning in to her first, letting her play on her phone without saying anything...etc.
- not waiting for IOI to escalate: she did show some IOI's, hair flipping leaning into me...but no Kino and she was barely turned into me while we were talking. I feel like I may have been friendzoned? there was no indication that she wanted me to go home with her unless I missed something.
 
well that's it...thanks for reading! please feel free to critique.