Skip 'so what do you do'. The best first dates feel like two friends catching up, not two strangers interviewing.
Instead of opening with a question, open with an observation about where you are: the walk in, the music, the server's energy. It gives them something to react to instead of something to answer. Conversation follows from reaction, not interrogation.
One: 'What's something you got into recently that you didn't see coming?' — gets specific, opens a story. Two: 'What's the last thing that genuinely surprised you?' — forces them off autopilot. Three: 'If you had a free weekend with no obligations, what would you actually do?' — a softer version of 'what do you like'.
Don't do relationship post-mortems. Don't list everywhere you've traveled. Don't quiz them about their job. Don't brag about your job either. If you hear yourself listing things, stop and ask them something instead.