[Semiapies]

I'm a little puzzled. If you're uncomfortable having business drinks with women, and you've seen how a simple invitation can go badly in a sexual harassment context, why not just stop having drinks as a context for a business meeting with either men or women? Have lunch, get together for coffee, etc.

[Jasonp]

The point I am trying to make is a little broader: assume that a lot of business and networking does happen over drinks already. In my business it does. There's nothing wrong with coffee, lunch, etc. It's just that if I am going to do a lot of business over drinks in the afternoon or evening, it seems unfair to limit those opportunities to other men.

[Semiapies]

I don't think the points are very different in breadth. You're saying, Do thing X with women if you're comfortable doing it with men. I'm saying the alternative is, Don't do thing X with men if you're uncomfortable doing it with women.

Normally, I'd say they were equivalent and lean towards the first option as less limiting, but if there are serious potential downsides, the second option seems to have merit.