First dates are full of fun possibilities, and you never know where they’ll take you. If you’d like to see where the night could go with a new person you’re into, there are many ways to set yourself up for success. We’ll share some tips on how to appear cool and confident to improve your chances of having sex on the first date. Try out these strategies to turn up the heat and build a connection quickly.

A popular public spot is a great choice to help your date relax. If you meet someone you’re interested in for the first time, stick to places that are well-lit, easy to find, and have other people nearby. The person you bring on a date will feel a lot more safe and be able to unwind. There are lots of options for you to choose from. As long as the atmosphere is interesting and you can hear each other talk, you’ll have a good time.

• You can go to a place you know well. That way, you can talk about all it offers, like the best appetizers, drinks, or performers.
• You can also try a spot you’ve never been to. Tell the person you’re dating it’s your first time and that you’re glad it’s with them.
• Decide if you’d prefer a romantic or casual atmosphere. You might feel more confident in different settings. For example, you might really know your way around wine, or you might know the best tacos in town.
• Choose somewhere you can easily talk to (and flirt with) your date, like a coffee shop. The more you talk, the more relaxed you’ll both feel.
• Reader Poll: We asked 567 wikiHow readers who’ve had successful first dates, and 63% of them agreed that the best date location is a coffee shop. [Take Poll]

Wear clothes that send the right message. Stick to a casual and cool look that shows off your personal style. Focus on simple cuts in your shirts and pants that give your date an idea of what your body looks like. Avoid outfits that are too dressy, like a suit and tie, since you want to look effortlessly cool and attractive.

• Be well-groomed to enhance the first impression. Shower, pop in a breath mint, and put on a signature scent.
• Use one statement piece to impress your date. It can be a shirt with a unique print, a swank watch, or a leather bracelet.
• Keep the rest of your look understated. For example, if you choose to style your hair, then you can wear a white v-neck and denim jeans.

Start off the conversation with a cool one-liner. Casually mention an interest or hobby of yours. Your date will find your ambition refreshing and imagine all the interesting ways you spend your time. You can bring up that you just rinsed off after you hit the gym, or you can share that you finished a business class. Make a quick introduction, then ask about your date’s day. They’ll immediately see how self-assured you are and feel a spark with you.

• “Hey! Just cleaned myself up after I hit the gym. I’m excited to start my evening off with you. How was your day?”
• “Just wrapped up a business class for my program. Way more interesting than it sounds. But more importantly…how’re you?”
• “My friends and I finished a new podcast episode tonight. I made them cut it short because I wanted to meet up with you. What’ve you been up to?”

You want to try to make a genuine connection with your date. They’ll feel you’re on good terms with them and that they can open up to you. Create even more momentum and use a lot of conversation starters. You can ask about their hobbies or try out hypothetical questions. They’ll be attracted to your warmth and friendliness.

• “What does your ideal day look like?”
• “How do you love to spend your time?”
• “So, bam! You’ve just been made leader of a group on a stranded island. What do you do?”

Joke around with your date to liven up the mood. You can make fun of yourself, tell some of your favorite stories, or point out funny details about your surroundings. The more your date laughs, the more they’ll lose some inhibitions because it’s so easy to unwind around you. They’ll enjoy every second of your company and want to spend more time with you.

• “Oh! Spilled that drink. My bad. Today is not my day… I tell myself every single day.”
• “Okay, you’ll never believe this, but I think my friend is actually a secret agent. Here’s how I connected the dots…”
• “This has got to be the priciest pasta I’ve ever seen. It’s all good, though. We deserve it, right? You definitely do!”

Begin with some quick affection to test the waters. Only initiate physical touch, like a hand on their shoulder, if they suggest they are okay with that kind of contact. They might start with a pat on your knee or they may lean in really close. Show that you’re intrigued by their attention and open to a lot more of it. You can rub their arm or sit close enough that your legs touch.

• You can also verbally encourage them. For example, you can say. “Oh! Hey, there. That feels nice.”
• Feel free to dote on them. If they say you’re cute and give you a hug, return the favor. Pull them into a warm embrace and tell them, “Thanks! I think you are, too.”
• You can also compliment your date’s physical features. For instance, you can admit, “I’m sorry, but I have to say… you have the most stunning legs. I got a little distracted there.” Their mind will start to wander, too.

Rushing things could kill the mood. Engage your date with more questions, stories, flirting, and (if things are going well) touching. A great tactic is to tell them you aren’t in a rush and can spend all day or night with them.

• As the hours go by, the talk should get more and more honest. You’ll be more comfortable with each other.
• If you’re both giving each other a lot of eye contact throughout the whole date, it’s likely that the chemistry between you two is strong.
• If your date hugs you or becomes even more physical later in the date, they’re expressing attraction to you. You should still check in and see if they’d like the date to go on even longer.