There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly ground coffee, the gentle hum of conversation, and the comforting clatter of cups in your favourite local café.

For many Aussies, especially those of us who remember when a 'flat white' was just a blank page, the café has become more than just a place to grab a cuppa—it’s a community hub, a meeting spot, and, increasingly, a makeshift office.

But a new debate is brewing (pun intended!) over a modern café habit: setting up shop with a laptop and lingering for hours. Is it a harmless way to enjoy the atmosphere while getting some work done, or is it quietly squeezing the life out of our beloved small businesses?

The Sign That Sparked a Storm
Recently, a sign in a Crows Nest café caught the attention of locals and quickly went viral: 'No hogging tables with laptop.' The message was clear—laptop use was only allowed after 10am, and even then, only for an hour. Zoom meetings and video calls? Strictly off the menu.

This sign didn’t just ruffle a few feathers; it ignited a nationwide conversation. Radio host Ben Fordham picked up the story, inviting Con Damouras, owner of Leichhardt’s iconic Bar Italia, to share his thoughts.

Damouras, who’s seen the rise of remote work firsthand, admitted that while his larger venue can handle a few laptop warriors, smaller cafés are feeling the pinch.

Australian cafes are increasingly cracking down on laptop use, with some posting signs restricting laptop users to certain times and limiting stays to an hour, especially in busy venues. Image source: Chris Montgomery / Unsplash.

The Dilemma for Small Businesses
It’s easy to see both sides. On one hand, the café is a sanctuary for freelancers, students, and anyone escaping the four walls of home.

On the other, every table occupied by a laptop user nursing a single long black for hours is a table not available to a family, a group of friends, or a couple out for brunch.

Damouras shared stories that would make any small business owner wince: customers who sit for half an hour without ordering, or those who bring their own tea bags and ask for hot water. 'We laugh at it, but we cry at it,' he said. 'If everybody started doing this, small businesses would just close. It’s getting harder and harder.'

It’s a tricky balance. Café owners don’t want to upset loyal customers, but they also need to keep the lights on. As Damouras put it, 'If you’re spending money on food and drink, that’s great. The problem is when you take up a table for hours or avoid spending money altogether.'

What Do Aussies Think?
The debate has split the nation. Some say laptop users are a nuisance, while others argue there’s a time and place for everything. A quick poll of the 9honey team revealed a range of opinions:

• 'Doing uni work in a café is a rite of passage,' said one.
• 'It’s fine if there are empty tables, but if you’re taking up space in a busy café for hours, it’s a problem,' shared another.
• 'An outright ban on laptops feels unfair, but people should read the room,' suggested a third.

Many agreed that context is key. If the café is quiet, linger away. If it’s packed and you’re only ordering one coffee, maybe it’s time to move on. Some pointed out that certain cafés, especially those near universities, are designed for all-day study sessions, while others are more about quick catch-ups and high turnover.

The Changing Face of Café Culture
It’s worth remembering that café culture has always evolved. Once upon a time, a café was a place for a quick cuppa and a chat. Now, with more people working remotely or freelancing, cafés have become extensions of our living rooms and offices. For many, especially those living alone, it’s a way to beat the isolation of working from home and feel part of a community.

But as the world changes, so too must our café etiquette. Here are a few tips to keep everyone happy:

• Order regularly: If you’re staying for a while, keep the orders coming—coffees, snacks, maybe even lunch.
• Be mindful of busy times: If the café is filling up, consider freeing up your table for others.
• Respect house rules: If there’s a sign about laptop use, follow it. The staff aren’t trying to be killjoys—they’re just trying to keep the business afloat.
• Consider alternatives: Libraries, co-working spaces, or even a park bench can be great places to work if you need to spread out for hours.

Key Takeaways

• Australian cafes are increasingly cracking down on laptop use, with some posting signs restricting laptop users to certain times and limiting stays to an hour, especially in busy venues.
• Small business owners say that customers occupying tables for long periods without regularly purchasing food or drinks can impact their bottom line and might force some small cafes to close.
• The debate over laptops in cafes has split opinions, with some feeling it's fine as long as you’re considerate and keep ordering, while others argue it’s unfair to hog tables in busy periods.
• Many agree that policies should depend on the cafe’s size and culture, suggesting that quiet or student-focused cafes may welcome laptops, but busier or smaller venues need to prioritise turnover for their survival.

Have you noticed more laptops in your local café? Do you think it’s a harmless trend, or is it hurting small businesses? Have you ever been turned away or asked to move on? Share your stories, opinions, and café etiquette tips in the comments below!

 

[novezar]

At our favourite caffeine fix place, you quite often see the ignorance of people either just sitting at 'Select' seating, either just reading the newspaper, sitting with others, no drinks or food in sight, or as mentioned, on either a lappy or a phone, tapping away.

Its always when a paying customer wants to take a seat, order & consume the goodies.

If I were the owner of such business, I'd be asking them they can stay there on the proviso of ordering a beverage or food. If, not could they vacate the seating for other paying customers.

Same thing happened at the same venue where we go, as in yesterday, a pretty busy morning at about lunch time, we managed a "Select" spot, to enjoy our hot fixes & tucker, customers milling around, a bloke was sitting there in 4 seater 'Select" spot, had his paper stretched out, no tucker or otherwise.

We heard a lady customer say to her companion, "Look, he's just reading the paper".

Nothing but sheer ignorance by the bloke in "?"

I, myself, when waiting for a select spot, have asked people if they were finished so we could have their place.

It has worked for us.

As the say in the classics, "If you don't ask, you wont receive".

 

[Gezzabel]

I have to agree. Good coffee hangouts, rely on selling coffee, not selfish hogs, taking up tables, using free internet. There’s some selfish people out there, who look out for number one all the time. Unfair.

 

[PattiB]

I’ve also found this at airport cafes. There have been many occasions when we’ve desperately needed a bite to eat only to find tables occupied by people not eating or drinking but using laptops or tablets. It is so unfair to people who need a meal or a hot drink.

 

[Gezzabel]

It stinks! They should introduce a time limit or coupon system, for allocating a time frame to hog the seats. They don’t make it easier for them selves, when they provide power points, so some hog the seats, and charge their devices there too! All for selfish reasons, and the genuine customer has nowhere else to sit and eat. Having said that, a lot of airports don’t provide seats for people who just want to lounge around and wait! Some people probably feel that once they vacate the table , where t next? The uncomfortable boarding lounge! Gezzabel.