Across the United States, an increasing number of social spaces, from bars and clubs to music venues, are encouraging patrons to put their phones away or lock them up for screen-free gatherings. This movement reflects a broader societal exhaustion with constant connectivity. According to event hosting platform Eventbrite, the number of phone-free experiences globally has surged by over 500 percent between 2024 and 2025.
This trend is gaining momentum as individuals seek to reclaim their attention and foster more genuine social interactions. For 23-year-old Richie Bell, attending a queer, phone-free funk dance party called "Who's Dancing?" in New York City was an experiment in disconnecting. While he initially expected to surrender his phone, attendees were asked to instead allow security to tape over their cameras. Bell found that this simple measure eliminated the temptation to scroll through social media, allowing him to engage more freely with other attendees, many of whom were also attending alone.
"Compared to other bars and parties he’s been to, Bell found this one more conducive to unbridled socializing and dancing. It’s easier to approach a stranger when they’re not hunched over their phone. No one is worried about looking like a fool, immortalized in video, because everyone is a little foolish, moving their bodies without fear of judgment," the article notes.
Musicians like Phoebe Bridgers and Harry Styles, along with comedians such as John Mulaney and Bill Burr, have implemented phone bans at their performances. Dance floors are going camera-free in clubs from Los Angeles to Miami, and established restaurants and bars in cities like San Francisco and Philadelphia, which already had phone-use prohibitions, are now joined by newer establishments in North Carolina and Texas.
The appeal of these events stems from a growing awareness of the downsides of excessive smartphone use. A 2022 Gallup survey indicated that over half of U.S. adults feel they use their smartphones too much. Research has linked excessive smartphone use to negative effects on sleep quality and mental health, with studies suggesting that even the mere presence of a phone can diminish cognitive capacity.
X&ND, the organizer of the "Who's Dancing?" parties, observed that many people in clubs were more focused on their phones than on dancing. "The second that anybody starts dancing in a club where there’s meant to be dancing, people pull out their phone,” X&ND told Vox. “They’re getting surveilled, they’re getting essentially exploited for content and being put in a position where they’re on display for people that they didn’t necessarily want to be on display for.” X&ND aimed to create a safe space for women, queer, and trans individuals to express themselves through dance without the fear of their actions being recorded and shared online.
These phone-free events are seen by organizers as a way to reclaim culture, attention, and self-expression, particularly in an era where the bar and nightclub scene has faced challenges. Some venues believe that the anxiety of being recorded in a moment of vulnerability may deter patrons from attending.
In Washington, D.C., 28-year-old Jo Vee echoed these sentiments, seeking an environment where they could feel anonymous. "There’s nothing more terrifying than thinking that you’re going to a party just to have fun, and then you wake up the next morning and there’s a video of you that has 10 million views that you had no idea about, and now you’re like a GIF reaction on the internet," Vee explained.
Distraction-Free Connection
Georgetown associate professor Kostadin Kushlev's research indicates that phone usage during social interactions negatively impacts how much people enjoy spending time with others. "It’s not so much [that] the phone is making us feel unhappy,” Kushlev told Vox, “it’s more like I could be happier if I was not using a phone.” His studies also show that reducing phone usage can improve attention spans, suggesting that even short phone-free periods can foster greater focus and reduce overstimulation.
In Charlotte, North Carolina, the bar Antagonist has implemented a phone ban, asking patrons to secure their devices in a pouch upon entry. Owner Michael Salzarulo noted that Friday nights, typically a strong night for the venue, have become its busiest, with patrons actively seeking a detox from screen-mediated work.
Alex Becker, co-founder of PA Unplugged, a nonprofit advocating for mindful technology use, has organized screen-free events through its initiative, Screen Free Philly. These gatherings, held at various public spaces, encourage attendees to set aside their phones for activities like discussions, art projects, and board games. Becker observes a significant demand for such tech-free connection opportunities, suggesting that while a complete digital detox might be impractical, setting aside phones for specific occasions can be beneficial for well-being.
"People are just done and ready to take their attention back, take their time back, and encourage more real-world connection," Becker said.