What Type of Hook-Up Are You? A Guide for Singles on Valentine's Day

Ah. Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and like many other singles, you get the privilege of spending it alone. You want to meet someone, but you just don't know where to go. Follow this handy guide and you just may get hooked up. Maybe not in time for Cupid's big day, but there are 364 other days where lovin' is needed too.

THE "HOOK-UP JUST TO HOOK-UP" HOOK-UP (Or, for the player)

Where I live in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, the Woodlands' weekly happy hour each Friday is crawling with people dressed to impress. College guys and gals and young professionals alike are getting the most out of the $10 cover charge, often times ordering drinks by the double fist. This prepares the crowd to get a little loosened up for the opening of Club Evolution after Happy Hour ends.

The same could be said for any dance club. If you are looking to hook up just to hook up, head to your local dance club. In a dance club, it's easy to approach someone on the dance floor. Yes. Dancing, the perfect way to get totally close (too close?) to a perfect stranger. And if you don't know how to dance, do not worry; the alcohol does wonders for your groove. There's just something about spending some quality time bumping and grinding that leads to, um, other dance floor antics.

Note: Meeting someone this way is wild and adventurous, but you may not remember who they are in the morning.

THE "I WANT TO MEET SOMEONE NICE" HOOK-UP (Or, the romantic)

We're all nice right? And we all go to bars right? However, despite the fact that we and all of our nice friends hang out in bars, it seems to be that the general consensus is that you cannot meet someone nice at a bar. Now that any confusion is out of the way, some suggestions on where to meet someone nice would be Barnes and Noble or another local bookstore. Maybe the girl of your dreams is browsing the very same aisle of fantasy books you read, or also looking for a home improvement guide. What a great way to meet someone with similar interests, or to spark a conversation. The conversation from the book aisle can then be continued over a nice, warm latte in the on-premise cafe. (After all, it is chilly outside, and we wouldn't want our new friend to get too cold.)

Note: Steer clear of any chick in the self-help aisle browsing through books like, "How to get over a jealous ex-boyfriend", or "It's Okay to Be a High Maintenance Girl."

I WANT TO MEET THE GIRL/GUY NEXT DOOR

No. I don't mean go literally knock on the door next door. Try a friendly neighborhood bar. I lived virtually next door to a hot corner bar, Hops and Barleys and that is where I met one of my long term flames-- I literally was the girl next door.

Most neighborhood bars draw a nice local crowd, people who are just going out, doing their regular 'thing' and with no hidden agenda. With laid-back atmospheres, it is really easy to approach someone, and at the same time, usually have some good food and friendly service. (And- you can always ask the bartender or waitress the name of the person who has captured your interest in a local bar!) Most neighborhood bars will have a jukebox, a perfect place to start flirting- "Hey, can you play some CCR?" Or, ask someone to join in a game of darts or pool. The music is almost never too loud, so holding a conversation with the girl or guy next door at a local corner bar is easy to do. Plus, they are a regular, so if you like them, you know where to find them again.

I WANT TO MEET SOMEONE SOPHISTICATED

Sometimes it is just nice to meet someone who isn't a sloppy drunk, slugging down shots and beer from a plastic cup, and instead, sipping on a nice Martini. Try a more upscale bar in your city, like a wine or martini bar, or jazz bar. These are the places where the professional working crowd goes after the workday is over. Conversation can be stimulating with someone professional and educated! Other ideas would be to try a Wine Brats event.

I WANT TO MEET SOMEONE WHO LIKES SPORTS

If you want to meet a girl or guy of a competitive nature or one that just enjoys sports, try a local sports bar. Also, if your city has a minor league sports team, find out where all the fans go after or before the game. That's right. Hang out where the season ticket holders go. Another idea would be to go to a billiards place-- or a bar that has a dart league. At these places, you can impress someone with your skills and even flirt through a little friendly competition.

I WANT TO MEET A MUSIC LOVER

If the local band scene is huge in your area like it is in mine, check your local listings to see where a hot local band is playing. Then, get up there in the crowd and meet some other music lovers in the crowd. Chances are, if you start to follow a local band or two, you will begin to run into the same people, thus getting to know someone a little better! Or, try a karaoke bar where you can be like Huey Lewis and Gwenyth Paltrow singing duets and begin making your very own music on stage... and wherever other type of music making that leads to.

Good luck!!