Going out by yourself can be heaps of fun
Just park yourself near a group of people (I find mixed sets of 3-4 the easiest to start) and strike up a convo with one of GUYS. Needless to say, with guys a simple "Hi how's it going" is sufficient. In the first set you're not necessarily trying to pick up. Just make some friends so you're not standing there by yourself like a dousche.
For me, once I've got the first set rolling everything seems to flow from there.
As you're a newbie (like me

) I'd concentrate more on just having a good time as opposed to 'picking up'. Don't get too drunk, and just make some new, more outgoing friends.