Alchohol is a must--especially if you've "been out of the game" for awhile. I personally recommend something simple like shooting pool (unless you really suck at pool and she can beat you) or even going to a bar where a band is playing so the noise is really loud and you have to talk loudly to be heard. Why? It increases the amount of drinking which makes talking less important overall, it makes you (and her) look more attractive to one another, and if you choose a cool place you look hip.

Basicaly, the rule of thumb here is that unless you are a confident dater, pick something that takes YOU out of the equation as much as possible...
g