California restaurants charging ‘vomit fee’ at bottomless brunch

Some restaurants in California are alerting customers to a US$50 cleaning fee if they throw up after imbibing too many mimosas.

The ‘bottomless brunch’ phenomenon, which sees customers drink limitless alcoholic drinks within a set time period while they tuck into smashed avocado on toast and eggs served all kinds of ways, has been a key fixture in the social calendar of many Gen Z and Millennials for some time.

However, a growing number of restaurants in California are starting to crack down on those who overdo it at bottomless brunches, and are issuing a ‘vomit charge’ of US$50 to cover cleaning costs.

A sign in the bathroom at Kitchen Story in San Francisco reads:

“Dear all mimosa lovers. Please drink responsibly and know your limits. A $50 cleaning fee will automatically be included in your tap when you throw up in our public areas. Thank you so much for understanding.”

Kitchen Story owner Steven Choi told SG Gate that staff were spending “a lot of time cleaning up customers’ vomit” and that sadly the situation “was not unique”.

Fellow San Francisco restaurant Home Plate has also issued a warning to mimosa-happy clientele with a sign on the wall reading: “Please Drink Responsibly. $50 Cleaning Fee for any incident incurred as a result of intoxication.”

At Kitchen Story guests are allowed to drink as many mimosas as they like within 60 minutes, while at Home Plate diners get 75 minutes to drink their fill.

Meanwhile, at The Sycamore, owner Liz Ryan claims that staff are trained to “make sure customers don’t over-do it” and adds “Nobody wants to see people throwing up. It spoils the party vibe.”

However, Ryan acknowledges that some customers “go outside to throw up” before coming in and drinking more.

Driving services Uber and Lyft have long allowed drivers to charge customers for cleaning fees should they vomit in the vehicle, with charges ranging from US$20 to US$150.

“If a rider makes a mess or causes damage to your vehicle that prevents you from taking further trips, you can request a cleaning fee,” Uber advises drivers on its website.

In order to recoup the cleaning fee from the company Uber drivers must submit “at least two photos of the mess” and a description of “the fluid or material that caused the damage or mess.”

A picture of the receipt for a cleaning service, stamped with the date of cleaning and the name and address of the provider must also be logged.