Starbucks has become a popular place for people to gather, work, and socialize. With comfortable seating, free wifi, and a wide variety of coffee drinks and food, it’s no wonder many customers stay for hours. But how long is too long to camp out in a Starbucks?
The Official Starbucks Policy
According to Starbucks’ official policy, there is no time limit for how long customers can stay in their stores. The coffee giant wants to maintain an inclusive, welcoming environment. As long as you purchase something, you’re free to hang out as long as you’d like.
That said, Starbucks ultimately leaves it up to the discretion of individual store managers to ensure that customers keep “moving it forward” and not taking advantage by occupying tables all day. So if a store is particularly busy, you may get asked to free up your table after an extended stay.
Etiquette Guidelines
Just because there’s no official time limit doesn’t mean you should camp out for half a day. Here are some general etiquette guidelines to keep in mind when settling in at Starbucks:
- Limit your stay to around 1-2 hours if others are waiting for a table.
- Keep buying coffee or food items hourly to “pay rent” for the table.
- Avoid spreading out lots of belongings across your table.
- Go easy on the free refills during busy times.
- Be mindful of noise levels on calls or video chats.
Following basic courtesy rules will ensure you don’t overstay your welcome. The goal is to strike a balance between getting your money’s worth and not preventing other customers from enjoying some cafe time.
Factors That Determine How Long is Reasonable
There are several factors that affect how long you can reasonably stay in a Starbucks before hitting the point of overstaying your welcome:
Time of Day
Mornings and afternoons on weekdays tend to be less busy at most Starbucks locations. You’ll have more leeway to stay for longer periods of time compared to busy mornings before work or school. However, avoid camping out all day during off-peak times.
Store Size
Larger Starbucks locations with extensive seating can accommodate longer stays. Think twice before spending all day in a small store with limited tables, as you’ll be preventing others from sitting down.
Your Consumption
If you continue to make purchases every hour or two, you have more justification to occupy a table for an extended stay. Don’t abuse free coffee refills – buy a variety of items during your visit.
Table Turnover
Monitor the ebb and flow of the store. On days when tables are consistently in short supply, limit your stay to free up space for other customers. When there is ample open seating, you can feel freer to linger longer if you wish.
Staff Discretion
Keep in mind that store staff have the final say on how long is too long for a stay. If you are asked to wrap up because others are waiting, respectfully comply while being understanding.
Appropriate Length of Stay Examples
To give you a better idea of appropriate Starbucks stay lengths, here are some examples based on typical customer usage scenarios:
| Scenario | Appropriate Stay Length |
|---|---|
| Quick breakfast or coffee stop | 30 minutes to 1 hour |
| Remote working over lunch period | 1 to 2 hours |
| Casual afternoon | 2 to 3 hours |
| Group project work session | 3 to 4 hours |
| All day study or work campout | Most of the day is unreasonable – limit to half a day at most |
These are general guidelines only, and you may need to adjust depending on factors like how busy the store is. The key is to be aware of your surroundings and remain considerate of other patrons.
Policies at Other Coffee Chains
For comparison, here are the policies at some other popular coffee chains:
- Peet’s Coffee: No official policy, but customers are expected to be considerate and make additional purchases every hour or two.
- Caribou Coffee: One hour recommended during busy times; two hours otherwise. Purchases are encouraged every 30-60 minutes.
- Dunkin’: Varies by location but most aim for a two hour limit, especially when crowded. Stays over four hours are discouraged.
- Local coffee shops: Time limits are rare but you’ll be expected to keep purchasing items if staying more than an hour or two.
The common theme is to be considerate of others, continue supporting the business, and limit overly long stays when space is at a premium.
Tips for Enjoying An Extended Stay
If you do want to spend a good chunk of time getting work done at Starbucks, here are some tips to enjoy an extended stay while being considerate of others:
- Visit at off-peak weekday hours if possible.
- Pick a larger location with ample seating.
- Set up at a table, not a space like a couch or armchair.
- Buy a drink or food item every hour.
- Monitor seating availability and be ready to wrap up if space is needed.
- Avoid loud conversations or speakerphone calls.
- Limit belongings to just the table space you need.
- Thank staff and tidily bus your space when leaving.
Conclusion
Starbucks wants to be an inviting “third place” for people to congregate beyond work or home. However, it also has an obligation to serve a constant flow of new customers. The considerate approach is to enjoy your time at Starbucks but be aware of your surroundings. If a store is packed, limit your stay and make room for others. With some courtesy and buying the occasional snack, you should be able to strike the right balance and work or unwind at Starbucks for a reasonable length of time.