BREAKING: Venues across Melbourne are taking a bold stand against mobile phone use, implementing bans and restrictions to encourage patrons to engage with one another. Bar Le Splendide in South Yarra is leading the charge, issuing red heart stickers for customers to cover their phone cameras as part of this growing movement.
Bar manager Jimmy Pluet and co-owner Jean-Paul Prunetti are among those advocating for a tech-free environment, citing an overwhelming sentiment that phones are detracting from social interactions. “A lot of people basically don’t like to have their photo taken when they go to a venue for a private reason,” Prunetti stated. “Most people are really happy not to have to worry about their phone. People are a bit more engaged to talk to each other.”
This immediate shift comes shortly after other venues, such as the exclusive Sanctum private members club and Sense of Self bathhouse, have also begun to restrict phone use. Notably, the rock band Tool enforced a no-phone policy at the Good Things Festival earlier this month, while Ian Moss has banned filming during his national tour this year, urging fans to “be present and enjoy the performance with your eyes.”
The policy at Le Splendide is not an isolated incident. At Sanctum, members are discouraged from taking photographs, with dedicated “phone booths” provided to minimize disturbances. At Sense of Self, a complete phone ban has been enforced, with owner Freya Berwick describing the move as essential for creating a calming atmosphere. “People being on their phones disrupts their own experience and ability to drop into their body and just be present,” Berwick noted.
These actions resonate with a larger, global trend where nightlife venues are combatting the phenomenon of patrons more interested in capturing moments on their phones than enjoying the experience. Clubs like Berghain in Berlin, House of Yes in New York, and Hi in Ibiza have adopted similar no-phone policies to safeguard the essence of live entertainment.
Psychologist Brad Marshall, director of the Internet Addiction Clinic, emphasizes the importance of face-to-face interactions in fostering genuine connection. “Oxytocin, the feel-good chemical and the love and connection chemical, can only really be elicited in big doses through face-to-face social interaction, not through online,” he explained. Marshall predicts that this trend will continue to grow, especially in dining and nightlife settings.
In an age marked by extreme connectivity, these Melbourne venues are urging patrons to disconnect from their devices and reconnect with those around them. As more establishments adopt these practices, the landscape of socializing in nightlife and dining is poised for a significant transformation.
What’s Next: Keep an eye on how this movement evolves and whether more venues across Australia—and beyond—implement similar policies. The call for a return to authentic interactions is stronger than ever, and patrons are responding positively to these new norms.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as Melbourne’s nightlife dynamics shift in favor of real-life connections over digital distractions.
