Bengaluru’s iconic café culture is facing a major crackdown. Hotel and restaurant owners are increasingly frustrated with patrons who occupy tables for hours after ordering a measly ‘by-two’ tea or coffee worth just ₹25. This habit is causing significant financial losses, as genuine diners often find no place to sit.

The Menace of Minimal Orders The Hotel Owners’ Association has issued a stern warning against customers who use restaurants as makeshift offices for real estate deals, office gossip, or political debates. Owners claim these long-stay visitors are becoming a liability. Under the new proposal, such customers could face fines up to ten times their order value.

Introducing the ‘Table Usage Fee’ To curb this trend, owners are planning to introduce a system similar to parking charges. Free seating will be allowed only for a limited duration, after which a “Table Charge” will kick in. P.C. Rao, President of the Hotel Owners’ Association, stated: “Holding meetings for hours over one tea causes immense loss to our business. Therefore, we have decided to impose a table charge in the coming days.”

Proposal for ₹500 to ₹1,000 Fine Discussions are currently underway to fix the penalty between ₹500 and ₹1,000 for those exceeding the permitted time limit. The Association is preparing to seek government approval to implement this policy officially.

While the move aims to ensure seating availability for genuine patrons, it has sparked a debate among regular café-goers who view these spaces as essential informal hubs. If approved, this move could fundamentally change how Bengaluru interacts with its beloved darshinis and cafés.