'Meetings beyond one hour will be charged…’: This Bengaluru cafe charges for long meetings; wait till you see the fee

A small notice inside a Bengaluru cafe has started a big conversation online. The notice was spotted by a customer, who clicked a photo and shared it on X. The post was simple and read, “Saw this notice posted at an eatery in BLR.”

The notice itself was direct and easy to read. It said, “NO MEETINGS ALLOWED. Meetings lasting more than 1 hour will be charged at 1000/- per hour.” That one line was enough to catch attention and start a discussion online.

Bengaluru has a strong cafe culture, and many people use cafes to work, take calls, or meet others. Laptops, meetings, and long conversations over coffee are a common sight across the city, especially in busy areas.

The cafe did not give any reason for putting up the rule. However, many people online felt they could guess why. With work-from-home becoming normal, some customers sit at cafes for hours and order very little.

For cafe owners, this can be difficult. When tables are occupied for long periods, fewer customers can be served during the day. This can directly affect daily business, especially for smaller cafes.

As the post spread online, reactions started pouring in from different users. Some people found the notice strange and unnecessary. One user said Bengaluru cafes often have unusual rules that can feel confusing.

Others supported the cafe’s decision. One user said they have seen people occupy tables for hours without buying much and added that they feel sorry for cafe owners dealing with this situation regularly.

The comments made it clear that this is not a one-off issue. Many users said they have noticed similar behaviour in cafes across the city.

The notice also raised a larger point about how shared spaces are used. Cafes may feel like relaxed public places, but they are still businesses that need steady customers to survive.

While customers may see cafes as easy places to sit and talk, owners have to think about costs, staff, and how long a table stays occupied. A simple notice on a cafe wall ended up starting a wider conversation about work habits and shared spaces in Bengaluru.

The post may fade from social media, but the situation behind it is something many people clearly recognize.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a notice shared on social media and the reactions it received. The Times of India has not independently verified the notice or the fee mentioned. The cafe has not commented officially, and the opinions expressed are those of social media users.Thumb image: X