Admittedly, this is a relatively new strategy for me. But I think there are a few advantages to declining alcohol on a first date, and very few disadvantages. In fact, I would suggest that this strategy could be continued for several subsequent dates as well.

First of all, your judgement isn't clouded by the alcohol. This is probably the most important aspect. It's much easier for a man to appear charming when you've had a drink or two, and you may overlook red flags that you otherwise would have caught on to.

Secondly, alcohol can affect your libido, which is the last thing you need in the vetting stage. It can be hard enough to stay strong without chemical factors playing a role.

Thirdly, his reaction to you declining alcohol can be very telling. If he tries to push alcohol on you, he is a LVM. Period. There are a multitude of reasons why someone may not want to drink alcohol at any given time, and it DOES NOT require an explanation. If he pushes you to give an explanation, that is also a LV move.

Overall, the benefits of declining alcohol far outweigh the risks involved with consuming it. Even if you're someone who knows your limits well, I feel that the third point can be extremely valuable for assessing a man's character and his own relationship with alcohol.