Forgot how to swizzle yourself into the mix? Well, get ready to belly up to the bar and

	Stick to places where you can be heard without screaming.

order another round because meeting your new flame at the corner dive may be as simple as remembering your favorite beer.

A good line is helpful but it won’t close the deal
A clever pick-up line may get you a seat next to the girl or guy of your dreams, but unless you can move beyond the small talk, dreaming is all you’ll be doing. Conversation is still king when looking for love over a cold one, so if you have the gift of gab go with your strengths—but don’t get carried away.

Don’t let the booze do the talking
Although a drink or two can can turn a wallflower into a social gadfly, be careful not to overdo it. Drinking responsibly is always crucial: You not only want to avoid coming off as a sloppy drunk to a prospective mate, you also want to get home safely.

Be prepared to play
Bars and pubs are more than just a place to knock a back a few beers—they are filled with people looking to interact, whether over a barstool or a bar game. Sharpening your gaming skills can dramatically increase your chances of meeting someone—and enjoying yourself even when you don’t. Beyond the usual pool table and darts, many establishments keep board games behind the bar and some have weekly team trivia nights that offer opportunities to meet a lot of people in an upbeat but non-threatening environment.

Stay away from the clubs
As much as you may be tempted by a club’s energy and clientele, if you are trying to meet someone new the volume and crowds of clubs usually make them less than ideal. Stick to places where you can be heard without screaming.

A little night music and poetry
The opposite of the free-for-all atmosphere of the club scene, open-mike nights and poetry slams — common in most areas — can be a relaxing and popular way to meet a possible match. Beyond cheap entertainment, they make nice conversation starters and provide immediate insight into you and your companion’s compatibility.

Avoid one-night stands
Bars may be back in style but casual sex definitely is not. Sex happens on its own timetable, so drop any aspirations you have of “getting lucky” and focus instead on meeting someone and getting to know them, slowly. It may lead to a relationship that goes way beyond the mere physical, leaving you with more than just a hangover to remember it by.

Tom Milnes is a freelance writer who contributes to Happen magazine.