I think through your friends, because they're not usually going to do anything to intentionally hurt you. They usually have the best of intentions in mind.
Why do you exclude bars? That actually is where I met my SO. We've been married 22 years now (happily, even), so it can't be too bad!
Met this one at work. We left right after we helped them implement a multimillion dollar contract. We were the only ones that knew how to keep it all together. They knew it and our reward was all the overtime/training we wanted after our 50 hour mandatory week. They also brought us a menu from a local pizza/sandwich joint and said we could order anything we wanted. I asked the Manager of the pizza joint for a $10,000 gift card. He said he'd get back to me after checking with Management. I'm sure they thought I was trying to be funny. I know who has that contract now. Do not have laparoscopic surgery.