Whoops, that's a big difference. I was reading you in an American context. In the US, different bars have very different vibes. Singles bars are known as "meat markets" and are pretty much like resort bars -- people acting out bizarre, tasteless fantasies of themselves based on what they imagine other people want to see. Singles bars have a high profile in the culture but aren't actually popular except among a small, mostly college-aged part of the population. At regular bars, people who are at the bar are open to being approached, but the actual bar may be a relatively small part of the establishment. It's fine to approach lone women at tables and ask if you can join them, but if they're with friends at a table it's more complicated. A lot of people go to bars to meet up with their friends and their friends' friends, and they don't really want to be approached by strangers. Sometimes if you make eye contact with a cute girl you can get a clear nonverbal invite, but barring that you'll seem awkward or arrogant if you try to join them. (But if you're sitting with a group at a big table, and the person next to you is in a different group, it's often natural to strike up a conversation with them. Like I said, it's complicated.)
At the places I go to, most of the hooking up happens between people who had a prior connection, who met elsewhere or who met at the bar through common friends. Australian bars sound like more fun.
At the places I go to, most of the hooking up happens between people who had a prior connection, who met elsewhere or who met at the bar through common friends. Australian bars sound like more fun.