WRT to dates....it's sort of a tough topic and methods change as your intention changes.
1) The Drinks Date - If you're just trying to hit the first night - nothing beats a drinks date.
And if you say, You pay for the first, and I'll pay for the 2nd, and the 2nd is a your special mixed drink at your place.........
2) Activity and Drinks - If you want to spice it up, drinks + activity (karaoke, minigolf, darts, pool, trivia, some type of dancing that isn't the typical hip hop/R&B/reggae...) The activity is usually good enough "value" for these chicks.
3) Screening Date - This is for cats that are done with their smash everything in sight phase. We've all been there. But enough females, and you just get the gist of most of em.
From the outset, the chick is pretty, she has a job, she has a car, she has her own place, she doesn't have kids, no visible tats or T-Rex claws on her fingers - but you gotta uncover her behavioral issues, personality flaws, and other things. Things that aren't obvious.
Keep in mind, they're always doing this to us, it's woman 101. What we say and don't say, what we do and don't do.
Is she a person you want to rock with and sleep with?
Most guys do not do enough screening.
They don't even realize that they need to screen.
You're not looking for perfection, but some chicks have it all looking good, but they're super narcissistic, controlling, belittling, crass, etc - once they relax.