[barroomhero]

Isn't "I don't drink coffee/tea/caffeine." "Well they have other options." the same problem as alcohol?

[apocolyps6]

It's different for me in a couple ways:

1) I have the same background noise issue as the sibling comment. I can't have a conversation in a bar. Coffee shops are usually much more quiet, brightly lit, designed for sitting in and working/talking quietly.

2) It sucks to be the only sober person in a group. Caffeine doesn't have the same effect.

3) Bars are pretty hit or miss on if they have any non-alcaholic options (lemon juice concentrate + water doesn't count). Most coffee shops have great non-caffeinated options (horchatas, juices, smoothies/milkshakes, ciders, tisanes)

[justsomehnguy]

Stakehouse: I'm vegetarian/vegan.

Wafflehouse: wheat intolerant

Milkshake bar: milk/lactose intolerant

Plain water bar: I don't drink plain water /s

[cratermoon]

Stakehouse (sic): you can still have food. I'm vegetarian, and no, steakhouses usually don't have good options, but there's something, even if it's just a plate of steamed vegetables that basically amounts to hot crudités. I haven't liked the times my employers have had events at places with limited non-meat options, but I don't complain.

Wafflehouse: unless you have a severe wheat allergy, in which case you also can't go to a pizza restaurant, you can still find something to eat.

Milkshake bar: Non-dairy milks exist. The milkshake bars near me offer options.

Finally, as someone mentioned in another comment, just eating doesn't have the same effect as drinking. Going to a bar and having a drink makes people drunk, or at least tipsy. The non-drinker is clearly the odd one out. Going out to eat, everyone gets feds.

[episteme]

You can order decaf to get the benefit of the coffee shop without the caffeine.