Being at a new bar can be fun. But, nothing makes pickup easier than being in a place where you know everybody.

You should try to become a regular at all your favorite places, as it’ll help your game tremendously. Here’s a post from Urban Monarch the topic:

Being a regular earns you a lot of benefits for only a few conscious behaviors, mostly just good manners. Visit frequently, follow these tips, and within a short amount of time, you’re in.

Wikipedia describes a regular as:

A person who appears often at a certain location and may know others who are also there often, whether out of want or occupation. For example, a regular can be one who goes to a certain coffee shop everyday, so often that the employees know him or her.

Benefits of being a regular

Ability to order special items (out of season, non menu)

Immediate seating

Complimentary drinks / desserts

Discounts

Recognition and social proof

Dependable location to entertain guests / meet up with friends

Warmly received and well respected by staff

Having the server bring you the “regular”

How to become a regular

Visit the same restaurant three times in the first month, then once a month ongoing. These are minimums, visit more if you like.

Use your name and theirs. Hi [server], my name is [me]

Use the restaurant for a party, catering, or other service.

Bring new friends (customers) and introduce them. Use this as an opportunity to stay in touch friends.

Tip 20% on the total bill (tax, drinks, everything) and round up to the nearest dollar.

Tip the same percentage, don’t over tip unless you plan to do it every time. (Over tipping is not necessary. )

Tip on free benefits, or you won’t receive them anymore.

Treat servers as if they have more knowledge of the menu items than you , because they do.

Work with the same knowledge set as the restaurant. (Know what sushi is hip and what is pop, what dishes are authentic and which are americanized)

Inquire about and order house/chef specialties.

Don’t ask for the owner if you don’t know him.

Don’t make 8 pm reservations, a restaurant wants to seat at least two people during dinner hours.

If you ask for advice take it. Don’t ask what the server recommends if you know you want pasta.

If you order a nice bottle of wine, ask the server if they would like to sample it. They may decline, but the gesture makes an impression.

Say please when ordering. May i please have the…
Say thank you when receiving service.

Throw out expectations for dish preparations. Each chef has a unique interpretation on that meal.

Stick to your reservations. If you are going to be more than 15 minutes late, call. Cancel as soon as you know.

Respect their dress code, because they will respect you by not bringing up your failure to meet it.

Turn off your cell phone while dining.

If you’re the only one left after a group of regulars, it’s time to move on.

Be sympathetic of busy times, understand it’s not always like that, and you will benefit in the long haul.

Don’t banter with the wait staff when they are hurried.
Wrap up conversations quickly when the server approaches the table.

Communicate. If you have a question or if you need something, ask. If you only have an hour to eat, let them know a head of time.

Save waitstaff unnecessary trips.

Smile and be friendly.

Above all, it’s just about being there on a regular basis. Being courteous and social just accelerates the process.