{"id":1119,"date":"2025-08-15T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-15T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.answerla.org\/?p=1119"},"modified":"2025-08-21T10:49:20","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T10:49:20","slug":"london-bars-and-restaurants-are-banning-phones-and-diners-cant-stop-flirting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.answerla.org\/index.php\/2025\/08\/15\/london-bars-and-restaurants-are-banning-phones-and-diners-cant-stop-flirting\/","title":{"rendered":"London bars and restaurants are banning phones and diners can\u2019t stop flirting"},"content":{"rendered":"
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There are several popular spots where phones are prohibited (Picture: Vinny Whiteman)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Too often these days, a meal out isn\u2019t just about the food<\/a>, it\u2019s about creating (or consuming) content.<\/a><\/p>\n

You might be trying to enjoy a romantic dinner date, but the person opposite is having a full-on photoshoot, with a glaring ring light ruining the ambiance.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a sad sight but the truth is even sadder – these days many restaurants <\/a>rely on social media<\/a> reviews with photos and videos to survive. <\/p>\n

However, there are a few places in London<\/a> that have taken the bold decision to crack down on this, banning phones<\/a> and from their premises and implementing strict policies about photos. <\/p>\n

St.John is one example, Dans Le Noir is another, there’s The Spy Bar at The OWO<\/a> and of course The Clink at HMP Brixton. <\/p>\n

And while there are some obvious benefits to spending a few hours doing a digital detox, it seems there’s been one unexpected upside to the phone ban.<\/p>\n

‘I\u2019ve seen people start flirting again in bars,’ says Sotirios Konomi, bar manager at Spy Bar. <\/p>\n

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Many of us are guilty of trying to get the ‘perfect’ food or drink photo when out (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

‘They’re striking up conversation with strangers and connecting in ways that feel wonderfully nostalgic,’ he continues.<\/p>\n

‘Seeing this happen daily is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do and proof that the concept works. People genuinely seem to love it,\u2019 he continues. <\/p>\n

At The Spy Bar, there are rules about phones, but it’s all to do with the camera. <\/p>\n

Metro\u2019s <\/strong>senior lifestyle reporter Courtney Pochin<\/a> visited the speakeasy bar and was surprised when staff covered up the lens on her phone at the door. <\/p>\n

A sticker reading \u2018for your eyes only\u2019 was placed on the phone as a way to \u2018honour the space\u2019. (It was previously a high-security vault filled with top secret MI5 and MI6 documents, hence the name.)<\/p>\n

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