I think it usually all starts with bar hopping, but eventually you find that one place where you fit in and it becomes like a second home to meet up with folks
I don't go out drinking anymore mostly because there aren't really any venues available where I live now and I can't really afford it anyway
But I use to love my old haunts in various parts of Calif. and a few other places
Probably one of my fav.s was a place called the "Arizona" in San Diego, the bar keep knew exactly what I was there for and would have it at the ready the moment I walked in