I'm fairly boring when it comes to first dates. Not that I'm boring, but I don't do anything particularly exciting. Its been a long time since I got to know anyone before I went on a date. The last few years I've met a guy and agreed to a date to see where it goes. I always go for an afternoon coffee date for the first one. It seems like the safest option. You can go, have a coffee and a chat, and if its not going well after an hour or so say you need to be somewhereand make your escape. If it goes well, I've often gone for a stroll around the city while we talked, gone for more coffee maybe dinner or a movie...once I went back to guys house and got stoned haha. (Ooooh not helping my reputation of lazy stoned slut on here...whoops!)
I find evening dates are stressful, there's more pressure to stay longer even if its a bad date, and alcohol is usually involved at some point, which can lead to uncomftorable situations. I just don't like it for a first date.
I'm pretty good with the chats...I like to get to know a person....their interests, their humour, their beliefs...you can tell pretty quick whether you gel with someone or not.