Phones are the new cigarettes: why restaurants are discouraging and even banning them
Restaurants and bars are increasingly implementing policies to discourage or ban mobile phone use to foster social interaction and enhance the dining experience. These measures range from psychological deterrents like camera stickers to strict enforcement methods such as locking phones in pouches or cabinets. Some establishments incentivize compliance by offering rewards like free wine, while major chains are adopting milder rules such as requiring phones to be kept on silent.
- ▪The Spy Bar in London places stickers over phone camera lenses to psychologically discourage photography and preserve privacy.
- ▪Antagonist in North Carolina requires customers to store their phones in locked pouches, similar to school phone ban protocols.
- ▪Al Condominio in Verona offers a free bottle of wine to customers who surrender their phones, a challenge accepted by 90% of patrons.
- ▪Major chains like Pizza Express have introduced phone-free afternoons, while Wetherspoons requires phones to be kept on silent.
- ▪The Clink Bar in London locks phones in an outside cabin because the restaurant is located inside HMP Brixton, where phone possession is a serious offense.
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| Canonical URL | https://www.theguardian.com/food/2026/sep/14/phones-are-the-new-cigarettes-restaurants-discouraging-banning-digital-devices |
| Publication time | Mon, 14 Sep 2026 15:31:59 GMT |
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A sign discouraging mobile phone use in the White Horse pub, Soho, London. Photograph: Tony Smith/AlamyView image in fullscreenA sign discouraging mobile phone use in the White Horse pub, Soho, London. Photograph: Tony Smith/AlamyPass notesRestaurantsPhones are the new cigarettes: why restaurants are discouraging and even banning themWould you hand in your phone at the door in exchange for a free bottle of wine? One restaurateur has tried that – and there are now many other gambits that are encouraging us to connectTim DowlingMon 14 Sep 2026 11.31 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleName: Phone bans.Age: Their provenance is considerable; their time is now.Appearance: Groups of people eating together, talking together and laughing together, while also twitching slightly from withdrawal.So…
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