Ok, a little background. I'm a 50 yr old, who could easily pass as a 40-45, good looking, tall, full mane of hair with only the slightest gray, we'll built but slightly overweight. Divorced 6 years ago, and with only a few short relationships since then, all from friend's circles.

Women generally find me attractive, that's not a problem. Women notice me.

I'm interesting enough to women, and i can listen and ask, which they like.

The problem is with cold approaches. I can throw out any of a number of witty banter lines, but after that I fail to continue, and it kind of fizzes out. I am a good conversationalist, and I know that women are basically interested in themselves and are avid for validation, especially my target group, 30-40s, but I have a problem with keeping the line open, especially since I know zilch about them or their interests.

When at a party or with friends this is less of a problem, but these situations often include the same people, so my options are slim, to none.

I have recently started to go to a couple of bars that cater to the over 30 crowd, with no luck. The places are cool, live music, lots of single women, mostly in groups of two to six, and there is an area outside where you can talk normally.

The results so far have been zero. I have gone alone and with a wingman, basically in my situation, and we have come up empty.

What are some ideas, tips, sites, articles or books that deal with this period between opening a and conversation?

Flirting from zero if you will.