Pay-Per-Minute Cafe Launches in London

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

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We have no idea how this concept is financially feasible, but a new cafe has opened in London where “everything is free inside except the time you spend there.” According to The Guardian, the cafe Ziferblat is the first British outpost of a popular Russian chain.

Visitors to Zieferblat take an alarm clock upon arrival and then clock out when they leave—getting charged three pence (about five cents according to current exchange rates at xe.com) for every minute spent inside. There’s no minimum amount of time that patrons must stay, and while they are in the cafe, they can drink all the tea and coffee that they want, or eat the complimentary snacks provided. There are tables to work at and even a piano to be played.

This place seems like a too good to be true bargain, considering the free drinks and food! Have you been to a Zieferblat? Tell us in the comments.

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