Clubs and bars might be the most obvious choice of venue but consider carefully the type of relationship you are looking for. A noisy environment where people are under the influence of alcohol is not necessarily the best place to strike up a conversation particularly if you are looking for a meaningful relationship.

Good places to meet people are:

• Your local community, get involved in clubs and community events and get known in your local pub (the type where locals meet for a friendly drink) - you might be surprised to find the perfect partner living just around the corner! 
• Hang out in places that interest you, for example art galleries, rock concerts, the opera, bookshops. It's a good way to meet people who share your interests and starting a conversation will be easier with a common topic of discussion 
• Faith groups. Churches and other faith communities are often full of single people with varying degrees of religious commitment 
• Adult education. Colleges are great places to meet people and many offer a choice of courses, both part and full time. If you are looking to meet someone of the opposite sex consider carefully the type of course you choose, a car mechanics course may not be the best way to meet women! 
• The Internet. Many relationships have developed following chat room encounters on both a causal and long-lasting basis. See our safety tips on chat rooms 
• Friends and family. Let friends and family know that you are looking. They may know someone in a similar situation 
• Supermarkets, theatre queues, bus stops .make the most of every opportunity to meet people. Strike up a casual conversation and take it from there 
• Singles clubs and holidays. Most holiday romances are just that, however, long distance relationships have been known to develop and singles clubs are ideal places to meet people