It’s funny how people separate the social aspects of their “real” lives (such as going for coffee, heading out after work on a Friday for drink, etc.) and their “social network” lives. I guess that’s the purpose of meet-ups and tweet-ups, but it would be awesome if business became the conduit for such activities by using the techniques you describe.

I’d like to add a suggestion as well. I have this wonderful espresso machine at home. I can froth milk with adequate results, but I’d surely go to a meet-up / tweet-up sponsored by a local coffee shop that would teach me how to use the machine better. If they did a different type of drink on a monthly basis, I’d most likely go. I’d be apt to stop more often on my way to work/clients, and I’d probably buy my beans there.