Most of the time it isn't so much about the venue as it is the company of the person you're with. Some of my best dates have been long car rides (driving a couple of hours between cities), a walk along the High Line at sunset, just chilling at a rooftop lounge in the city, or a stroll along an empty boardwalk.
When you've been dating for awhile, first dates can have a Groundhog Day effect, so it's important to spice those up a little; don't always take your date to a hotel lounge. I think some people got a little mixed up, and they don't realize that hotel lobbies are no-nos. It's distasteful to take someone to a Best Western or Hampton Inn type place where there is no bar/lounge and the only place to sit are the two armchairs tucked in some corner somewhere.
I'm pretty sure that the guy was looking for a specific reputable airport hotel, but when he kept making wrong turns and his TomTom got frustrated at his inability to follow directions, he pulled up to an airport motel. We legitimately sat in the only two seats in the 12x12 lobby. I think he wanted to offer me a drink, but probably the only option was the water fountain.
Hotels are okay as long as they have a bar/lounge, and it's a space where people are meant to hang out. Lounges work especially well when you want to talk, so they can be the serious half of a date where the other half you're doing something active. Waterfront venues or other scenic views get extra points in my personal opinion.
Starbucks and Barnes and Noble work just fine too, but be creative and check out other funky coffee shops and book stores. Think about what you want to do in a book store; are you just looking for a different atmosphere to have a conversation? Many such places are silent, so you'd be better off finding somewhere else where you can make some noise if you plan on hashing out whether Trump really can win the election and/or run the country.
I've heard lots of mixed reviews about going to a supermarket on a date. Some are of the camp that it can be cute to peruse the aisles of an upscale supermarket like Fresh Market, Whole Foods, or Wegmans and sit down with a snack. You can also always bring along a game to liven up any locale.
Food is always a good bet, although some girls are weird about eating on the first couple of dates. Keep in mind that you probably don't want to take your date to a hole-in-the wall pizza shop. If you plan on going to eat after you've gone somewhere else, don't know exactly what area you'll end up in or what time, so you can't make reservations, again, no sweat, just be creative. Text a friend for an idea (one you know knows the area or can look it up for you) and then call to see when they'll have a table available, making your way there only when it will be ready. Or, you can ask a friend to make your reservation for you.
Parks and malls are good places to walk around, and if you're looking for an activity, it's pretty known that arcades is usually the go-to. And, activities exist outside of Dave & Buster's. Try skeet shooting, archery, and find out if it's okay to go to a gun range (some say handling a gun is klei gever for a girl). Pottery throwing, pottery and glass painting, glass blowing or glass fusion, paint nites, and candle-making are all activities you can do too. I personally dislike mini golf and driving ranges, but they can make an enjoyable experience for some. Shooting pool, ping pong, batting cages, and if you're okay with bowling, there are those. Board game cafes can make fun dates, and Escape Rooms recently became all the rage. Strayboots or other like scavenger hunts can also work if you want something to do. Museums and other location specific places can provide you with fresh scenery.
That's really just a sampling of ideas, but keep in mind, there is always something you can do. Don't take your date to the same (type of) place over and over again. Besides, don't you want to see him/her in different settings?
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