Pick somewhere that you think the both of you will enjoy. Be as casual as you can and it may be that meeting for coffee or lunch will be more enjoyable than meeting for a formal dinner.
If you are not sure that you will like the person then make sure the date is only short and arrange to have or pretend that you have some necessary engagement after it so you can get away and not feel beholden to stay. There is nothing worse than sitting there with nothing to say to the other person as you have run out of conversation. Or feel bored or disinterested as the other person will pick up on your vibes this straight away no matter how hard you try and disguise them.

The cinema is another ‘no no’ as you will spend all your time watching a screen and come away from the date not knowing anything about the other person. This may mean that it’s into the second and third date before you realise that this person is not for you when infact if you had picked the right place in the first place you could have saved yourself a whole load of grief!
Also you may pick a film that is not necessary something you would normally feel comfortable watching just so you come across well to the other person. Remember not all females like slushy romantic films and not all men like adrenaline rushed blood fuelled movies.
It is best to leave the whole movie concept until you have gotten to know the person a bit better and can find out what you would both like to see.

A meal is one of the more popular choices but again this is fraught with danger. As stated earlier you could book somewhere and get stood up leaving you sitting alone in a restaurant waiting on someone who will never arrive.
Also you could have ordered a large four course meal only to find out that you can’t stand the person after the first course and have to sit and wait until the meal is completed before you can make a getaway.
Eating out can also bring the big question of who should pay. In this day and age it is only right that the bill is split between both parties no matter what the other person thinks or wants to do. This should be decided prior to meeting up as it will save an argument at the end of the night.
Do not be fooled into letting the other person order just because you don’t understand the menu.  Take your time and if not wanting to ask the other person to explain the dishes then ask the waiter who will do his utmost to answer any questions you may have. After all it’s what he gets paid to do! This will save you ordering and paying for a plate of food you can’t eat. Remember it’s your night out too and its there for you to enjoy.

You could decide to meet at an art gallery or a site of historical interest. Or go for a walk in a park.

Doing something fun such as playing bowling or taking up something you have never done before such as skiing may be something to consider.

Most of all, its important to enjoy your date. This means that you both agree on somewhere that’s suitable for the both of you.
Don’t arrange for him to meet your family on the first date and if he does the same to you then run a mile!
It’s important that you appear to be interested but interested to the point of frightening him off is another story!