The major attraction of a coffee date is that it's casual. No one has to dress up, invest in theatre tickets, schedule a whole night out or commit to a formal evening.
Basically, it's a simple afternoon or evening, and both parties can even meet at a cafe. This kind of non-committal, casual feel makes coffee a great choice for first dates, blind dates or "getting to know you" meetings.
Inexpensive
Coffee is a lot cheaper than a night out on the town and because it is such an inexpensive date. There aren't any awkward moments when the bill comes or questions about who is supposed to pay.
Taking the pressure off about money really adds to the casualness of a coffee date.
Short
A coffee date is typically a short date. If a coffee date goes longer than a couple of hours, the two of you may be onto something. But, if you don't hit it off, you can both depart in 45 minutes without offending anyone and still be friends.
Conversely, when you plan a full evening of dinner and dancing, that's almost 4 to 5 hours of time to fill.
No Alcohol
Unless you're mixing Bailey's into that coffee, there's typically no alcohol involved in a coffee date. While alcohol can add to the enjoyment of the evening, it can also prompt you to act differently, say things you wouldn't normally say and generally be a little more easygoing than you originally planned. If you want to keep things slightly professional, nixing the alcohol is a good thing.
Great Post-Date Activity
If you're a couple not ready for a quiet evening at a location away from the cafe, coffee can be a great way to extend time together. Or, if you're out with a large group, going for a nightcap coffee can add a touch of privacy to the end of the evening out without the pressure of heading elsewhere.
Drawbacks of a Coffee Date
Just Two Friends?
One of the major drawbacks of a coffee date is that it's not always clear that it's a date. One party may simply think it's two friends grabbing a cup of joe and some conversation while the other person is having romantic thoughts. This could lead to some awkwardness when it is discovered that each person's expectations differ.
Too Casual
A coffee date may seem too casual. If you want to step it up a notch without upgrading to a full evening on the town, try suggesting going for a quiet dessert at a local, high-end cafe. There you can still enjoy a hot cup of coffee along with a tasty treat and great conversation.
All in all, an initial date over a cup of coffee with someone you are just getting to know socially can serve as a comfortable ice breaker that potentially leads to a more promising relationship.
