Posted on Fri, May. 16, 2008

On a recent flight back to Fort Lauderdale, I begrudgingly offered a piece of gum to the woman sitting next to me in the window seat. I had plenty to spare but I knew the gesture would open up the chit-chat floodgates and I simply wanted to plug into my MP3 player and close my eyes. But she gazed longingly at the pack of gum I produced from my carry-on bag so I felt obligated to spread the wealth.

I knew her life story by the time the flight attendant filled us in on how to operate the ever-so complicated belt buckle. I made the mistake of telling her about this column and she badgered me about writing a column for guys who need help with picking apropos dating destinations.

So here are some ideas, based on your girl's style.

• Musical Mandy: At 11 tonight, Loose Cannon lets loose at Shenanigan's in Hollywood (3303 Sheridan St.). The five members of this local rock band have the guts to cover Radiohead and Rage Against the Machine and will undoubtedly impress your live music fan. Click www.LooseCannonKix.com for their touring schedule.

If you're in downtown Fort Lauderdale, you can catch a live show nightly at Original Fat Cats (320 Himmarshee St.).

• Competitive Cathy: Who's better at skee ball? Find out at the Dave & Buster's in Hollywood (3000 Oakwood Blvd.). In between simulated auto races and zombie-killing contests, take a break at the fully stocked bar.

You'll find a similar scene at GameWorks in the Oasis at Sawgrass Mills Mall (12801 W. Sunrise Blvd., Sunrise) but if video games aren't her thing, see who can pick up the most spares at Manor Lanes in Wilton Manors (1517 NE 26th St.). They've got a bar -- the Sports Den -- and glowing lanes during ''Glow Bowl,'' which runs from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursdays and Fridays and from 11 p.m. until 3 a.m. Saturdays.

• Country Courtney. She's wearing cowboy boots, a cowboy hat and can line dance with her eyes closed, but you're sporting a New York Yankees T-shirt and wouldn't recognize Garth Brooks if he were sitting next to you at your favorite deli. But you'll both blend in at The Roundup Country Western Nightclub in Davie (9020 W. State Road 84).

Show up on Wednesday or Friday night and your date will drink free. But the big attraction -- free line dancing lessons offered Wednesday through Sunday (it's closed Monday and Tuesday). Bring your Harley for Thursday's Bike Night. Wash down 25-cent chicken wings with $2 longnecks.

• Tea-totaling Tina: Believe it or not, some women just aren't impressed that you can drink your weight in whiskey. Entertain her at Undergrounds Coffeehaus in Fort Lauderdale (2743 E. Oakland Park Blvd.). Play Star Wars Monopoly, enter a Guitar Hero contest, skim through old books or simply stare at the art on the walls while sipping a peanut butter cup cappuccino.

• Sing-along Sally: Who doesn't love a dueling piano version of Sammy Hagar's I Can't Drive55? OK, I don't, but if my date was into it, I'd be at Howl at the Moon, ready to belt out a tune at this beachside, sing-along piano bar at Beach Place (17 S. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd.) in Fort Lauderdale. On Sundays, enjoy an open bar from 7-8 p.m. and on Wednesday an 85-ounce Long Island Ice Tea is $15. If you two song birds end up as love birds, click to www.HowlAtTheMoon.com to win a party for you and your 100 closest friends.

• Classy Clara. On The River House's website, you can ''click here to start planning your next wedding reception.'' Although this most certainly is jumping ahead a few steps, the cozy, romantic decor of the River House (301 SW Third Ave., Fort Lauderdale), will help you develop something more down the road. Save money for the down payment on the house by taking advantage of the happy hour on Fridays, with a complimentary sushi buffet and 2-4-1 drinks.

On the horizon:

• Higher Ground takes the stage at Jazziz Bistro in Seminole Paradise, 1 Seminole Way (off U.S. 441 north of Stirling Road), near Hollywood. The show starts at 8 p.m. Call 954-983-8335 for ticket prices and reservations.

• On Saturday, Diecast plays the Culture Room (3045 N. Federal Hwy.) in Fort Lauderdale. See Diecast live with Saq, Synapticide and Tracesof Envy. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door.