[Jas]

Of the six guys I've gone on dates with from an online situation...

....all of them involved alcohol except one, which sucked. (Not because it didn't involve drinks, he was just a total creep and liar, which hey, comes with the territory. I left.)

It takes away the edge of awkwardness, is usually a pretty relaxed atmosphere where you can sit and talk, can take as long as you want if it goes well, and if it doesn't go well you can leave after one drink thanking your stars that you didn't plan any all day activities and with a nice warm glow.

Just my two cents, anyway..