Restaurants and bars are increasingly encouraging patrons to stash their phones, aiming to create more memorable evenings out. This movement is picking up steam across the United States, where various establishments are experimenting with different types of restrictions, rewards, or even locked pouches for devices.
For instance, the Antagonist cocktail bar in Charlotte keeps customers’ phones in locked pouches for up to two hours. Meanwhile, Delilah, an upscale supper club with several locations, has instituted a policy that prohibits phones and social media postings.
Interestingly, even Chick-fil-A has tried this approach at one of its Maryland locations, offering complimentary ice cream to families that don’t keep their phones on the table.
This trend appears to be especially popular in upscale venues such as cocktail lounges, listening bars, and restaurants that feature tasting menus. According to Ben Tannenbaum, the vice president of partnerships at Rhine Leap, a New York nightlife company, restaurant operators are putting in extra effort to ensure that guests feel satisfied with their dining experiences, especially as people venture out less frequently but tend to spend more per outing.
Experts suggest that this no-phone movement has been growing for several years, continuing to accelerate as more individuals recognize the downsides of excessive screen time. Amanda Bellarmino, a hospitality professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, noted that although the phone-free dining trend started before the COVID-19 pandemic, it has gained traction recently due to a rising awareness of the negative impacts of personal device overuse.
She pointed out that dining without phones helps patrons concentrate on their food and, importantly, on each other. Economically, this can also benefit restaurants, as customers who are more engaged in their experience are likely to order multiple courses or additional drinks.
Interestingly, diners who are not distracted by their phones tend to enjoy their meals more, as they aren’t preoccupied with capturing photos or checking reviews while their food gets cold. Yet, some critics do raise concerns that enforcing a no-phone policy can create awkward moments for both guests and staff.
Beyond mere business strategies, this movement reflects a return to an older societal norm about dining—being present when sharing a meal. Etiquette expert Nick Layton speaks to this, emphasizing that when a cell phone rings, it signals that the person sitting with you is less important than whatever is happening on the device.
Some experts believe this growing trend is also a response to the mental stress of always being connected. Dr. Vinay Saranga, a psychiatrist, explained that dining without phones offers psychological relief, fostering meaningful connections and encouraging people to be more present.
However, implementing a no-phone policy does come with its challenges. Tannenbaum observed that putting this into practice can create friction, as the process involves signage and servers reminding guests to put away their phones, potentially undermining the very experience that such a policy aims to enhance.
He does not foresee phone-free dining becoming the standard everywhere but anticipates it remaining a niche practice rather than a widespread trend.
