Cafe charging for tap water

We put bottles of tap water on every diners table and it's set with glasses, some people on the table don't order other drinks at all - and that's fine.
But no, we don't let people just have tap water and sit at a table unless they're a bit unwell or something.
It's a business at the end of the day and you're not actually a customer unless you're parting with money and tables, chairs and service come with being a customer.
If someone came in and wanted a glass of water then fine, but drink it straight away and be on your way - don't expect the things that come with being a customer when you're not actually a customer.

If I go into a cafe I'm likely to have a coffee and what I order my DD depends on the time and what she wants. Sometimes she just has tap water other times she gets a different drink

Yeah that would be tight alright.

Right so myself, my DP and friends are tight because we tend to order at restaurants and pubs (if we are eating) food, some drinks and some tap water.

If I go into a cafe I'm likely to have a coffee and what I order my DD depends on the time and what she wants. Sometimes she just has tap water other times she gets a different drink.

I'd hope not. Not if you're eating 2 courses anyway.

If I'm driving I don't really want to be stuck on sweet drinks (and there's a limit to how much coke) and if I'm not I'll often have water as well as an alcoholic drink to minimise headaches...

Generally if I order tap water it's because there's nothing I want more - which is more of a judgement on the menu than me being "tight". If there's a nice (sweetener free) tonic, appealing alcohol free cocktail or similar I'll go for that.

In general customers ordering tap water are seen as a bit tight in cafes and restaurants

Is this really true, even if you order a starter and main?

I'm trying to eat healthily and avoid diet fizzy drinks and juice.

I'd hate to think I'd being judged.

Free with ordering yes. Charge if being a scab and taking up a seat. Who pays for the staff, electric, cleaning etc.

That’s dreadful, I certainly wouldn’t go back there either!

In general customers ordering tap water are seen as a bit tight in cafes and restaurants - given the current economic climate though it must be getting more common. They do still have to take the time to fill the glass, bring it out and then wash it/put it away. If you are ordering food, other drinks etc. then I don’t think it’s an issue, but if that’s all you are ordering you are taking the piss.

Yes, I'm sure the poster who owns a cafe was just "speculating" about people doing that...

As well as the other posters who have witnessed it and served people doing exactly that.

And I didn't mention the original post. I said "the multiple posters" of which there are indeed multiple

"detailing" or "speculating"? Because I see nothing like this mentioned in the original post.

Would you suggest I spend a bit more so the food and the drinks which she doesn't like can be thrown away to make the cafe owner happy? I spend an appropriate amount for the things she eats and drinks and it just so happened that she very rarely wants anything to drink other than water. If the cafe has an issue with having children present, they are free to make it adult-only spaces. But until then my kid has a right to take up space especially when she comes with two adults who spend plenty on their own food and coffee.

It should be free when ordering food . I only drink water with my meal. Sometimes I’ll have a tea afterwards. I wouldn’t go back to somewhere who charged £1 for a glass of tap water . My sister and I regularly drink two jugs of water with lunch.
Of course they can charge and people can choose not to come back.

To be fair you do seem to be suggesting that you spend very little on your children in a cafe despite them probably taking up a full seat

Links to the law have been posted several times.

only places with an alcohol license are obliged to have free water

I am not going to order a full portion of food for my kid just to see most of it go the bin.

Tbf, they mean adults who order half portions, not kids. Presumably kids are being accompanied by adults, and those adults should be ordering from the adult menu not kids menu.

If there ordering something else then it should be free but getting nothing else just a water than a charge is ok. Especially if they are sitting at a table meaning paying customers can't get in

that seems like a spurious comparison. someone can knock on my door, but I'm not obliged to give it to them.

Similarly, someone can knock on my door and ask if I'd let them move in. That's not illegal either. Unlikely, but not illegal. And I don't have to say yes.

In the UK? My understanding is that anyone can knock on a door in the UK and ask for a glass of water, for free. It's the law. The cafe can't charge for tapwater. They may be able to charge for glass hire!

Thirdly, I highly doubt anyone goes to the cafe to just drink water

Despite numerous people on the thread detailing folks that do exactly that…

I find it odd that people expect to go into cafes/pubs and expect to use loos etc. without buying anything - I'm on the road a lot for work and if I want to use facilities at a cafe or pub, I'd always buy a coffee or something as well. Similarly if I want my bottle filled when I'm out cycling, I'd always buy something.

Sounds like the cafe is going to go out of business very soon. We would totally boycott a place like that for several reasons. Firstly, the food premium we pay should more than cover the cost of water. Secondly, I am not going to order a full portion of food for my kid just to see most of it go the bin. Thirdly, I highly doubt anyone goes to the cafe to just drink water so the owners are being sour because they can no longer charge £3 for a cup of tea or coffee that costs them 20p to make. My kid only drinks water and there is no way I am paying £1 for it. I bet they won’t let us bring our own water either…

Who on earth goes to a cafe and sits down and just orders water. I’ve never seen this happen and have worked in lots of bars and restaurants. Has anyone on here ever seen another customer do this? If it ever did happen it must be so rare as to not be worth mentioning.

@Hibiscrubbed I’d be boycotting that cafe. That’s just petty.

I had an interesting experience last week. I went to an independent cafe near to where I live. Not for the first, second or even third time. I had a coffee and a cake and then I left. I popped back ten minutes later and asked to use the toilet as I’m nine months pregnant and the act of standing up basically made me need the toilet. The owner woman was behind the counter, she’d served me, she’d served me before in previous visits, she’d asked how my pregnancy was going, and she said no, unless I bought something else.

I was absolutely incredulous. She was not interested in reason. I might understand it if I hadn’t bought anything at all, though if I was her I’d have let a pregnant woman use a toilet, plus she may be more likely to come back in the future. I won’t be.

I agree with most previous posters that if you are buying other things eg a coffee, tap water should be free on the side. However I think if you are going in to a cafe, sitting at a table and only ordering tap water, that is very cheeky indeed and I think in this case it’s entirely reasonable to be charged!

I know one person who often works from cafes and will sit there for 5-6 hours at a time ordering only tap water. In terms of etiquette I would say that that is poor behaviour, but also totally unreasonable to expect businesses to tolerate!