One of my core rules I lived by when I was a serial dater (in LTR now) was to pick a bar/restaurant within a few blocks of my apartment. Most women prefer if the man picks the time and place. They want to be led and the man to initiate. Since we're expected to do the planning and pay for the date, you might as well pick a place that's more convenient for you.

I've been on over 400 first dates in my life (mostly through cold approach) and have implemented this policy on nearly every single one. Never let her pick an exact place that she has in mind. This is indicative of her being on the "Hinge meal plan" aka just using guys for free drinks/meals. Can count on 1 hand how many women have not been OK with the place I suggested and countered with another place. If this happens, let her go.

Key reasons to pick a bar close to your place:

1) Don't have to spend money on uber/lyft

2) Don't have to stress out finding/paying for parking

3) No risk of drinking and driving

4) If the date is going poorly, you didn't invest much time/energy into getting to the date, so you don't feel as much of an obligation to make it "worth it" like you might feel if you drove 40 minutes to meet her. Just leave after 1 beer if she shows up looking 40 lbs bigger than her profile photos.

5) If it's going really well, much easier to bring her back to your place since it's super convenient. Can use the "check out my spot" or "want to meet my dog?" line. Most importantly, she has less excuses to make about the hassle of leaving her car there or following you to your place as you drive ahead. The less chances she has to change her mind or have second thoughts, the higher the chance of you getting lucky.

Of course, for this to be possible you need to live in a densely populated area in or near the bar district of your city. You can't be inviting women to the 1 local bar in some random suburb. Pick a popular spot in a very public area so that it doesn't look sketchy or anything.

Also, don't pick the exact same bar for every one of your dates. While it's good to be a regular at your local spots, you don't want to start being known as the guy who's bringing a new broad to the same table twice a week. Rotate between 3-5 different bars.

If you're prioritizing dating and running game, you should already be doing this anyway. Never live in a small town or away for the heart of the action.

Happy to answer any clarifying questions or provide additional context. Good luck out there, gentlemen.