Screen-Free Cafes Aren’t Anti-Tech, They’re Pro-Atmosphere

In an era where remote work has taken off, cafés that, in the past decade, were de facto virtual offices, are now taking an increasingly strict stance towards electronics. In the U.S., 43 percent of workers spend some time working remotely, per a 2017 poll. Some places, like The Annex in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, give out timed Wi-Fi codes with each purchase, others, such as Cuvee Coffee in Austin, are generous in terms of power outlets but cut down on Wi-Fi, while some places go as far as taking a hard stance against screens. It looks like a lot of rules for a seemingly mundane activity, right? Well, we kind of brought it upon ourselves. To café owners, those mooching on their Wi-Fi for hours, mistaking a café for a remote office are not necessarily bad for business when it comes to transactions but they are highly disruptive of the vibe and energy of the place. Caroline Bell, the co-owner of Café Grumpy, cites mood and spaces issues for the electronics policies of her coffee shop