Keep it down or pay up! Bay Area restaurants will start charging bottomless brunch-loving diners cleaning fees if they GO into public areas after spate of customers puking on their TABLES
- Restaurants in California’s Bay Area are charging diners as much as $50 per table if they throw up after drinking too much at brunch
- One sign posted at an Oakland restaurant states that a “cleaning fee” will be charged to any table’s bill if a party member vomits in a public place
Restaurants in California’s Bay Area are charging brunch-goers who get too drunk a “puke fee” if any members of the party throw up in a public space.
One restaurant in Oakland recently posted a sign advising all “mimosa lovers” to drink responsibly or it could cost them more than just a hangover the next day.
“A $50 cleanup fee will automatically be added to your faucets when you vomit in public areas,” the sign reads. “Thank you very much for understanding.”
The sign was posted at Kitchen Story and co-owner Chaiporn Kitsadaviseksak said that while they haven’t had to charge anyone in a while, it used to be a big issue.
“It was very difficult to clean up,” he said. ‘And it happened a lot. My workers don’t want to do it… Now (customers) know they have to pay. They understand.’
Restaurants in California’s Bay Area are charging brunch-goers who get too drunk a ‘puke fee’ if any members of the party throw up in a public space. In the photo: A plate in Kitchen Story
The sign was posted in Kitchen Story (pictured) in Oakland, California
A mimosa carafe at Kitchen Story where the brunch message was posted
Talk to SFGaterestaurateur Steven Choi said they originally put the sign up during the COVID-19 pandemic because of workers’ fears about cleaning up vomit.
“It was still during the pandemic and it became a very sensitive issue for customers and staff who had to clean,” Choi said.
‘But it’s not unique. It’s there to make the customers stop and think about other people,” said the restaurant owner.
Kitsadaviseksak agreed, saying that the signs are meant to remind guests that they are in a public setting and to be aware of themselves and others.
In addition to the signs, many restaurants have adopted timed seating.
The concept helps prevent overdrinking and keeps tables moving so a restaurant can bring in more customers.
At Kitchen Story, the bottomless mimosas can be enjoyed for only 60 minutes.
Restaurant owner Liz Ryan with The Sycamore also spoke to SFGate and said they did not post a sign but implemented policies to protect guests and staff.
‘We have a member of staff who is a mimosa fairy. They bring around a pitcher that they use to refill glasses,’ Ryan said.
Different flavored mimosas sit on a table at Oakland’s Kitchen Story
Restaurant owner Liz Ryan with The Sycamore also spoke to SFGate and said they did not post a sign but implemented policies to protect guests and staff
‘Our staff are trained to make sure our customers don’t overdo it. Nobody wants to see people throw up. It spoils the party atmosphere we’re trying to create,’ said Liz Ryan
“There’s a (mimosa) station and it says it’s for staff use only, so please don’t help yourself,” she continued.
The fairy goes through the restaurant every 15 minutes for fresh trays and has a strict two-hour maximum policy.
‘Our staff are trained to make sure our customers don’t overdo it. Nobody wants to see people throw up. It spoils the party atmosphere we’re trying to create,’ she said.