Yeah, I guess it does makes sense if you're meeting with a complete stranger. Personally I would still prefer something like a walk in the park but this probably just comes down to personal preference.

There is also an art to keeping it short. No need to sit at a table for 5 hours. After an hour you should know if you want to go do something together.

Pretty much. Interesting people go for coffee, then something right after.

My first few dates with my now-wife was a park, then hot dogs, then another park, then back at her place.

Coffee is just the initial vibe check.

I always do nature trails and I carry pepper spray, and take a trail I know well so I can get us back to the parking lot quickly if I wanna pack it up sooner. Most trails in my area are well populated to boot.

I absolutely wouldn't go on a remote hiking trail with a stranger. That's just asking for a bad time.

Good points, I agree.

I might be boring, but I would hate a climbing gym first date. It’s public and easy to leave, but requires certain clothing, involves weird contortions and angles, and I’d get red and sweaty af. I’m not especially femme (so no makeup problems), but that’s still a recipe for self consciousness for me.

Obviously if you float it beforehand and they accept, that’s great (and they’re probably more what you’re looking for), I would just not suggest that as an extension of a coffee date. I could see it going either way from your comment, so I just wanted to note it.