It’s a scene that’s become as familiar as the hiss of a coffee machine: a sea of glowing laptop screens, headphones, and half-drunk flat whites scattered across café tables.
For some, it’s the modern-day office; for others, it’s a source of growing frustration. But could this everyday habit be putting your favourite local café at risk?
Let’s rewind a couple of decades. Setting up shop with your laptop in a café would have seemed odd, if not outright rude.
Fast forward to today, and it’s a hot-button issue dividing communities, sparking heated debates, and even prompting some businesses to take action.
The debate was reignited recently when a sign appeared in a Crows Nest café, bluntly stating: ‘No hogging tables with laptop.’
The rules? Laptop use is only allowed after 10 am and is strictly limited to one hour, with no Zoom meetings or video calls. The message was clear: cafés are for coffee, not co-working.
This sign didn’t just ruffle a few feathers—it opened the floodgates. Ben Fordham, host on 2GB, took the discussion to the airwaves, inviting Con Damouras, owner of Leichhardt’s iconic Bar Italia, to share his perspective.
Damouras, who’s seen the rise of remote work firsthand, didn’t mince words: ‘It’s very frustrating. Everyone just comes and sits in the café because most of them are working from home and they take up tables.’
For larger venues like Bar Italia, the influx of laptop users isn’t a significant issue until the lunchtime rush hits. But for smaller cafés, every table counts.
Damouras recounted stories of customers who sat for half an hour without ordering, brought their tea bags, and asked for a mug of hot water.
‘We laugh at it, but we cry at it because, you know, if everybody started doing this, small businesses would just close. It’s getting harder and harder.’
It’s a delicate dance for café owners. On one hand, they want to foster a welcoming, community atmosphere. On the other hand, they need to keep the lights on.
‘It’s a moral dilemma,’ Damouras admitted. ‘You don’t want to upset your customers.’
Where do you stand?
The issue has Australians split. Some see laptop users as a nuisance, hogging precious real estate for hours on end.
Others argue there’s a time and place for everything, including some work with your morning brew.
A quick poll of the 9Honey team revealed a range of opinions. Some say it’s fine as long as you’re mindful of how long you’re staying and how much you’re spending.
‘Doing uni work in a café is a rite of passage,’ one person said. ‘I don’t see any issues with it.’
Another added, ‘It’s fine if there are empty tables. But if you’re taking up space for a long period of time when they could be making money off other customers, it’s a problem.’
‘If it’s a weekday and the café is fairly empty or quiet, by all means sit in there for hours and work. With more people working remotely or freelance, it’s a nice way to beat the loneliness of that lifestyle and gives you a feeling of community,’ one team member shared.
‘But if it’s a busy day and you’re only prepared to order one coffee while sitting there for ages, it’s not really fair on the business.’
Some cafés, especially those near universities, actively welcome laptop users, creating a study-friendly environment.
But for bustling city cafés, the consensus is clear: linger too long, and you’re taking up space that could be used by paying customers.
Our local cafés are more than places to grab a coffee—they’re community hubs, meeting spots, and, for many, a second home.
But they’re also small businesses facing rising costs and fierce competition. Every table counts, and every customer makes a difference.
So next time you’re tempted to settle in with your laptop, spare a thought for the café owner trying to make ends meet. A little consideration goes a long way.
Are you a café worker, a café owner, or just someone who loves a good flat white? Have you ever been frustrated by laptop users—or are you one yourself? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below.
Also read: Cup by cup: The quirky café rule that’s got Australians arguing over savings
