If you don’t drink, don’t drink.

You can consider it a filter. Anyone who can’t understand you not drinking on a first date probably isn’t compatible with you. Not because of their drinking preferences but because of their unwillingness to respect your choices.

I like to have a drink or two but wouldn’t say dates go smoother with a drink. It depends on the people and the location.

Dinner at a nice place, sure, one or two alcoholic drinks with dinner is common but absolutely not necessary. Going to a coffee shop or some other cafe type place for lunch, I wouldn’t drink alcohol in a situation like that. You could do a more active date, like hike or go to a local museum or zoo. Some people like to get a drink after a hike but again it’s not necessary to drink alcohol.

I always liked to do the more active date and then maybe a meal after and sometimes that meal will involve alcohol but I live in a bigger city so I can get a taxi or ride share if I need it.

Always depends upon the setting and people involved.

Your traditional romantic dinner is almost certainly going to involve wine. (In a stereotypical western culture setting)

My dates have typically been in a more casual environment. Being invited to parties (alcohol or more), movie theaters (typical movie house snacks), Beach (cooler of water bottles, pop, light snacks, or whatever is available there)

DO NOT push your date to drink or do anything they aren’t comfortable with.

Informed consent is key.

We are all people trying to make it on this blue marble. Don’t leave it worse than how you found it.

I see a lot of good takes here, and I would venture a guess that it also probably varies by what country one is talking about.

Most people I know meet up for coffee.

I don’t think its uncommon to have a beer at a restaurant or as a drink or dinner. Meeting up at a bar for drinks as a first date feels funky, at least in my region.

If that’s not your jam then probably don’t push into it. A date should be a comfy experience for everyone involved, if possible.

I just drink tea when I go to a bar and need to drive, no one has ever commented about it

The answer to this is the same as the answer to most social situations: It depends.

Do you drink now? If not, a first date is probably not the best time to try it out for the first time. If you do drink, but tend to overdo it, pay mind to keep it under control.

Does your date drink? If not, they may not feel comfortable in a bar or other alcohol-centric location.

Do what works for both of you, not what other people enjoy. Choose a location or activity that matches your interests! And, if you suggest something that aligns with what you know about your date, you’re going to score bonus points! If they are outdoorsy, suggest a hike. They like craft beer, suggest a brewery. If they are a gamer, maybe a board game lounge. Anything can be a great first date as long as you both enjoy your time together!

The rule is to do what you’re both comfortable with, and see if those things match up. If you’re not up for drinking, then don’t. And recognize that social drinking might be more important to the person you’re interested in.

Don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. Don’t listen to people giving dating advice.

As an American in his mid 40s, I can say that I’ve never once had alcohol on a first date

Where I live, yes, though we’re pretty much a nation of alcoholics in denial.

Media has taught us that a first date involves drinking in a bar or restaurant, in part because of movie shorthand. (Dinner and drinks is a date, forget the rest of the evening, we just set the stage to imply the rest.)

As many others have said, your normal is your normal. Don’t let society or Hollywood pressure you into dating ‘their way’.

I met my wife on a date at a coffeehouse near here house. We then went to a pizza place across the street. No alcohol involved, but I did bring a board game into the restaurant with us.

Depends on the people. There aren’t any strict rules. Some people won’t, some will. Some might even end up in bed right after. As long as everyone involved is comfortable with it, it’s fine.

If you aren’t comfortable with drinking on a first date, then don’t. If like me you never drink alcohol, then don’t.
Also depends on the alcohol. Large difference between wine and vodka.

But I haven’t ever dated either, so… Personally I can’t imagine any date that involves any drinks and food. Coffee, I don’t do that either. Tea? Down in one go. Water? Awkward, and also down in one go. Food? Can’t focus on anything else, gotta finish first.

It varies widely depending on the people and all of the stereotypes about dating exist people enough people promote it, but zero of them work for everyone.

Movies were a popular first date too, but not everyone likes going to the movies. Too many people, too loud, and a large number of people just don’t like watching movies.

Not everyone wants to go out to dinner because of hangups about their own eating habits.

Not everyone wants to go out for a walk at a park. They could have physical issues or allergies or something else that they don’t want to be the focus of a first date.

Not everyone drinks or wants to drink on a first date. But a lot of people also have one or maybe two drinks, not to get drunk but because they find it relaxing. Most people would see getting drunk as a bad sign unless they see it as a sign of a fellow alcoholic. In fact, the only people I can think of that would want their date to get drunk are sex pests.