Avoid the floating menu: The peculiar Australian diner where patrons are supposed to receive appalling service

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Rude servers at Sydney’s Karen’s Diner glare and hurl menus at patrons. However, the whole point of the restaurant’s distinctive dining experience is having a bad experience.

In Sydney, the service at Karen’s Diner just gets worse.

Ignorant servers frown and hurl menus at patrons. However, the whole point of the restaurant’s distinctive dining experience is having a bad experience.

The phrase “you’re such a Karen,” which is used to characterize someone who whines about everything, is the basis for the concept.

According to Mitch Ransley, general manager of Karen’s Diner Sydney, “it’s one of these concepts that you just sort of think ‘this might work, this might not’ and it kind of surprised us.”

“They enjoy being cursed at and yelling at waiters while the waiters yell at them.”

Why is Karen’s Diner in Sydney so popular?

Customers find it refreshing that there is no formality involved.

“Many eateries in Sydney are extremely ostentatious. It’s quite nice to come here while you’re getting dressed up and saying your “please” and “thank you.” You truly have the choice to be the good or wicked version of yourself, says Ransley.

But there are some fundamental guidelines: employees are not allowed to make fun of disabled persons or to speak in a racist or sexist manner.

“Go have fun as long as you don’t do anything with malice in your heart,” advises Elizabeth McDonald, Time Out Sydney’s food and drink editor.

“This is the best job in the world!,” he exclaimed when I eventually managed to convince one of the servers to act out of character. God, I’m so sorry! I won’t face consequences if I label that individual a…”

One of the customers exclaims, “I mean, they made everyone’moo’ at me because I’m vegan!”

McDonald continues, “There’s a big market for people who might not necessarily want to go out and have a fancy dining experience.”

They might not wish to go out and sip the greatest wine on the planet. There are many folks that suit that category quite well.”

In October 2021, the cafe first launched as a three-month pop-up, but the Karen obsession is quickly taking off.

Sheffield in the UK and Melbourne and Brisbane in Australia now have branches. Pre-bookings are already filling up for two other locations, which are planned for Perth and the Gold Coast.