How about some good clean adult activities, and bars don't fit that bill, such as sports, bowling, church, or somewhere people go. Make male friends as well as female, because you never know who they know. Its about having fun, so a hobby is great for meeting people with a common interest.

I would add volunteering and taking courses.

There are people EVERYWHERE... It's not a matter of being AROUND people, as much as it is just opening up to the people that are already around you. If you have been searching in bars for a date, and haven't had any luck, why don't you try looking for a date in your friend's friends? If you have good friends, they can probably hook you up with a few women that might take an interest. Another good idea, is to hang out with people, and be patient! Wait for the woman you've been waiting for to come into your life in her own time, instead of trying to search for her.

Basically I started speaking to this girl online and we exchanged numbers. We are from the same town and do recognize each other from seeing each other out although we have never met. After a number of text messages I asked her if she would like to go out for a drink or something sometime, she said yes and seemed really keen and said I should text her anytime. I then suggested a day to her to meet up and she didn’t respond. Should I take this as she is not interested or is it worth calling her? I don’t want to come across as desperate or a bit weird.

Why don't you call her instead to ask her on a date? That way, you can get a direct response instead of constantly checking your phone for a response.

If she wants to go out with you, she will go. No need to overthink that way you're going to ask her.

Call her and ask. If she doesn't answer, let her call you back.

Call her, then she knows your serious, like in the old days before texting.

Since when is calling to hook up desperate or weird. Just don't blow her phone up.