Removing phones helps guests engage with each other and the environment
Bars and restaurants across the country are asking guests to put away their phones as diners seek more meaningful, screen-free experiences, Axios reports.
At least 11 states now feature venues with phone restrictions or digital-detox perks. Washington, D.C., leads with five such establishments, followed by Arizona, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Tennessee, North Carolina, New York, and Texas.
Chains join the trend
Even major chains are embracing phone-free policies. Delilah’s, an upscale supper club, has banned phones in Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Miami to preserve privacy and intimacy.
Chick-fil-A locations in Maryland and Georgia offer free ice cream if families keep phones off the table, encouraging quality time.
Research shows smartphones can harm learning, focus, socialization, and self-esteem.
Gen Z leads the movement, with 63% intentionally disconnecting, followed by Millennials (57%) and Gen X (42%).
Consumer Affairs data from 2024 finds Americans check their phones 144 times daily and spend around 4.5 hours on them. Nielsen reports chefs see phones as a distraction that can leave diners disengaged and underwhelmed.
Removing phones helps guests engage with each other and the environment, creating more rewarding, memorable dining moments.