I’m not expecting to just go out and get laid on my first go. I don’t want it to feel like an impossibility or anything, but I’ve just never been someone to go out by myself, and just feel like I need to make the most of this Friday. I typically work weekends, so this is a rare opportunity for me to actually pretend I’m a normal member of society for a night, and hopefully start getting more comfortable going places where I don’t already know anybody.

I figure if I don’t start doing something, I’m going to be single forever. And until I find better work, I’m not going to have many chances to even meet people (working overnight shifts sucks).

I’m hoping to find some ideas for bars that are a little more social. Assuming you were just going to “make a night of it”, how long would you give each place before deciding “nothing is happening here, let me try someplace else”? What’s a good time to typically even show up at a bar?”, like 8-9? Earlier, later?

And any strategies for when I catch myself just “clamming up and sitting by myself” for too long?

EDIT:

For that matter, I’ve never picked someone up at a bar before. Is that even practical for someone like me that lives like a 40 minute drive away from most bars? If you’re having a good time, do you suggest going back to her place?