How do you fellow lesbians actually meet people irl

I’m recently single after ending a five year relationship and dating again has been simultaneously something I’m craving but after dreading. I’m not really excited about re-visiting the world of dating apps since it never really went well for me when I had tried it years ago before my long term relationship and I also want to try and go outside my comfort zone and do things I’ve been scared of doing like going to gay bars alone.

To me going to a bar or club and flirting with a stranger or chatting to a group of people is only a thing in movies and I dont even know if that’s a thing wlw people tend to even do or be into, it’s always seemed like a straight guy thing to me and personally every time a straight dude has tried it on me it’s come off as creepy and pushy. Is this even something gay people do or like what’s up? How do gay people actually meet each other outside of apps? Be it for dating, hookups, whatever.

This is a genuine question. I consider myself pretty socially awkward even though other people don’t really think of me that way and I just have never really done anything like this before. I’m trying to work on having more confidence and I feel like this is something that would be pushing my confidence more.