THE BARMAN

PAURIC KENNEDY

The bar manager at Sydney’s Papi Chulo has seen the good, the bad and the X-rated

THE SETTING: Although I've been out of the dating scene for some time now, I think taking out someone you may not know all too well can be quite daunting, and there's the dread of that awkward silence. Sitting somewhere that has a constant entertainment offering is always a good choice. If you have a good bartender, then the bar would be the spot. Your host will offer a joke or two, great drinks and will recognise when you need some personal time to get to know each another. Alternatively, sit next to a window where you can people-watch and comment on passers-by. Keep the private table for that (hopefully) second date.

THE SIGNALS: It's pretty easy to see a date that is going well… or not so well. Great eye contact, the swish of the hair and a sideways look, the laughter and general positive vibe is how to spot a good date, as you would expect. But it's when they approach the bar and ask for an "out" that you know it's really gone pear-shaped.

THE SURPRISE FACTOR: I had an older couple sit at the bar one night. When I say older, I mean 65-plus. They seemed to be having a great time drinking cocktails and eating food. We had a laugh and they stayed into the night, conversing with me and chatting about each other's interests. As the night drew to a close, they began to make out like teenagers – full-on, open mouth, Frenching!

THE DRINK: A great way to impress a date is to order a drink that's interesting and personal. Ask what signature cocktails the venue has, usually something seasonal, and garnish with a smile.