Barcelona Restaurants Crackdown on ‘Loners’

Dining out can be a delightful experience, whether you crave company or seek solitude. However, in Barcelona, being a lone diner might result in an unexpected turn of events – you could be turned away from restaurants for the mere act of being a “loner.”

Reports have surfaced of individuals being denied entry or service at certain establishments simply because they were not part of a larger group.

One such incident involved Anna, a Barcelona resident, who was told she couldn’t sit alone on the terrace, even if she paid extra as reported by The Sun. Another customer reported being turned away thrice, with the excuse, “The terrace is only for groups!”

This peculiar trend has been prevalent for quite some time, and in various locations, customers have encountered additional charges for what should be considered basic customer service.

Some have reported being charged extra fees for requesting a table change on the terrace, with waitresses citing reserved tables carrying a €10 surcharge – despite those tables remaining unoccupied throughout their visit.

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The Sun reports that a bar in Zamora went as far as charging customers for every visit a waitress made to their table and even levied additional costs for extra cutlery used.

Photo by Ryan Plomp on Unsplash

The absurdity doesn’t end there. Imagine being charged £17 more simply for the staff to cut your cake or being asked to pay £1.70 for requesting a separate plate to share food, as experienced by a customer in Italy.

These seemingly arbitrary rules and charges are not only puzzling but also potentially detrimental to the businesses implementing them.

For a major tourist destination like Barcelona, turning away visitors solely because they are dining alone could deter solo travelers from patronizing those restaurants or even visiting the city altogether.

While these instances may represent only a few establishments with such policies, they cast a shadow on Barcelona’s reputation as a welcoming and hospitable destination.

A city celebrated for its rich culture and vibrant atmosphere should embrace and cater to all visitors, regardless of their party size or preferences.

As the hospitality industry continues to evolve, businesses need to strike a balance between implementing reasonable policies and ensuring a positive experience for all customers, whether they seek companionship or solitude while dining out.