my approach with the ladies is unique and different:
I don't bother them for one thing. I let them bother me.
I also don't buy them drinks at a sport bar. I tell the bartender to go ask them if they would like to buy me a drink. most of the time it does not work but occasionally it does. and we have a good laugh in the process.
i also try to make sure i don't ask them out as much as possible. i try to be creative.
i create the conditions and the climate where they are comfortable with me. and then they can come up with all the hints to go out.
some guys act just too desperate.
smart women don't care for desperate fools at a sports bar.
herc darling, and I say this with love, please get over yourself.

But if you had asked me to buy you a drink then I would have wanted you to come to me directly like a man and ask me to buy you a drink. I'd have liked to see if you'd have dared that much.

But I am not like other women so if you had asked through someone else, say, in this case the bartender, I wouldn't be offended at all. I'd probably laugh non-stop and who knows would probably buy you a drink too.
But it's true that I don't let others to buy my drink. It's a strict no no for me nor do I go to the pubs to be picked up. I find it gross. But if I meet someone accidentally there that's then different. Typically I just go there just to have some fun with my close friends.