October 13th 2023.
At the beginning of October, a startling new trend has been taking over the brunch scene in San Francisco and Oakland. Several restaurants, including Kitchen Story in Oakland and Home Plate in San Francisco, have begun implementing “vomit fees” for diners that overindulge.
Kitchen Story, a well-known restaurant in Oakland, has opted to issue a $50 cleaning fee for anyone who enjoys their five varieties of bottomless mimosas. The message is clear: a sign is prominently displayed with the warning “Dear all mimosa lovers, please drink responsibly and know your limits. A $50 cleaning fee will automatically be included in your bill if you happen to regrettably lose your mimosas in our public areas.”
Home Plate in San Francisco has also instituted a similar fee structure, charging a $50 penalty for any incident of intoxication. The co-owner of Kitchen Story, Chaiporn Kitsadaviseksak, commented, “It was really tough cleaning. People were scared of COVID. And this was happening a lot. My workers don’t want to do that. It got better. Now [customers] know they have to pay. They understand.”
Not all dining establishments have taken the same approach. Some, such as Tamasha Indian Resto-Bar, have limited the time customers can enjoy sparkling wine and orange juice, in an effort to address excessive consumption. Tamasha reported that they have not encountered a single incident since implementing their $50 vomit fee on New Year’s Eve.
Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft have also established provisions for drivers to levy cleaning fees on passengers—from $20 to $150—in the event of incidents similar to those at brunch establishments.
All in all, the introduction of “vomit fees” is a trend that is here to stay. Patrons should remember to enjoy their brunch responsibly, and to be aware of the potential consequences for overindulging.
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