Across the country, a growing number of bars and restaurants are betting that customers will pay for the privilege of being forced offline. At least 11 states now host venues with some form of phone restriction or digital-detox incentive, marking a sharp pivot from the selfie-culture establishments of years past.
Washington, D.C., leads the pack with five such venues. But phone-free dining has spread to Arizona, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Tennessee, North Carolina, New York and Texas, with individual bars and restaurants experimenting with everything from confiscation policies to free ice cream rewards for device-free meals.
The trend reflects a broader societal reckoning with smartphone addiction. Americans check their phones 144 times daily and spend roughly 4.5 hours on devices, according to 2024 data. Meanwhile, research tying excessive screen time to damage in learning, retention, socialization and self-esteem has given weight to the growing backlash.
Gen Z is leading the charge. A December 2025 survey found 63% of the generation intentionally disconnect from devices, followed by 57% of millennials, 42% of Generation X, and just 29% of baby boomers.
From Incentives to Lockdown
Some establishments are using carrots rather than sticks. Chick-fil-A locations in Towson Place, Maryland, and Suwanee, Georgia, offer free ice cream to families that keep phones off the table during meals. Delilah's, an upscale supper club chain with locations in Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Miami, enforces a strict
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