Dunno about dating sites. A bit concerned about wasting time on wannabes and pretenders. Even if a meet was set up for a coffee in a public place (for security, etc.) if the dude is not really who and what he claims to be, that's a lot of wasted time.
Also, I heard stories of an outing scam running in Los Angeles a while back, where a bunch of frat boys set up dates on a gay dating site locally, and got secret pics of innocent guys responding to ads and outed them on a bulletin board. I'm not out to everyone (especially employer) and that little problem could cost me a security clearance and a job. So, I'd think twice about any site where you have to give some details and usually a pic.
Cruising a bar or club seems safer to me, if a guy is seeking a partner. At least you are already in a public place and so is he. If it works, you're that much further ahead.