Controversy in Barcelona as Coffee Bar Implements 'Table Surcharge' for Lingering Customers

barcelona - A coffee bar in Barcelona stirs controversy by charging customers extra if they linger over their drinks, with prices increasing by up to 2.60 euros after an hour.

Controversy in Barcelona as Coffee Bar Implements 'Table Surcharge'

A coffee bar in Barcelona's La Barceloneta neighborhood, Café Bar Perfetto, has sparked outrage by imposing additional charges on customers who spend too long enjoying their drinks.

New Pricing Policy

The café offers coffee for 1.60 euros, espresso for 1.30 euros, 'cortado' for 1.40 euros, and tea for 2 euros, but if customers take longer than 30 minutes, prices rise significantly.

Community Response

Amid the backlash, the bar owners defended the policy, citing prolonged occupancy with minimal purchases. The neighborhood, once dominated by fishermen, now faces a tourism influx, leading to mixed reactions among locals.

Previous Controversies

This incident follows a trend in Barcelona, where establishments like Queviures Múrria introduced measures against tourist behaviors, such as charging a fee to visitors taking photos without making purchases.