A world-renowned restaurant rocking hospitality etiquette will soon offer its alternative dining experience—complete with insults and rude waitstaff—in Subiaco.
Inspired by the ‘Karen’ stereotype — a woman of typically straight who wears an inverted bob haircut while demanding to speak to the manager — the first Karen’s Diner opened in Sydney less than a year ago and is still booking months in advance.
Due to the unique experience of Karen’s Diner, its popularity has increased enormously via TikTok and Instagram. Customers are greeted and served by overly rude waitstaff, most of whom have an acting background.
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Karen’s Diner co-founder Aden Levin, which owns a range of catering establishments across Australia, told PerthNow the idea grew out of the end of the COVID-19-related lockdowns in Sydney last year.
“The infamous Karen meme went viral at the same time that our employees had to enforce vaccine passports and other restrictions, meaning they were the recipients of a lot of unnecessary ‘Karen’ behavior from customers,” said Mr. Levin.
“We understood that people were just frustrated with lockdowns, but it got us thinking about a concept where we could reverse the hospitality mantra and create a restaurant where the staff could be rude to the customers and get paid for it.
Camera IconKaren’s Diner offers American diner-style dishes such as burgers and milkshakes. Credit: Included
“Karen’s Diner is a fully immersive dining experience that’s more than just walking in and being laughed at by your waiter — it’s a fun experience where customers participate in games, challenges, and lots of different things while eating.”
Karen’s Diner, co-founded with James Farrell, is now located in six locations in Australia, plus two in the UK.
Upon arrival, customers can expect to be ‘ungreeted’, have their menu thrown at them, and face challenges that could lead to them having to clear their table or even be thrown out of the restaurant.
Camera icon The Karen meme has been popular in pop culture recently. Credit: Google Image
With his rising popularity, Mr. Levin said the alternative dining experience would strike the need “we all need to be a little nicer” and “home”“.
“People don’t leave Karen’s Diner as if they’ve just had nine rounds with Mike Tyson, but with ‘Wow, that was fun and different, and I’ve lost all my pent-up energy by giving back chatter to the waiters,'” said Mr. Levin.
“It’s an inverted hospitality experience that puts you back in your place, reminding you of when you’re on the other side in a ‘normal’ establishment.
“It’s a different experience, so it will be great to see the great people at WA ready to unleash Karens.
“And while the Subiaco store will be another replica of what we did in the East, there may be a few additional local pieces, including a sneaky reference to Mark McGowan.”
The staff at Camera IconKaren’s Diner are known for their rude customer service and ability to get customers to clean their tables or even kick them out of the restaurant. Credit: Included
Mr. Levin said that people whose real name was Karen could visit for a free drink.
Karen’s Diner opens in August at Subiaco Mews on Hay Street.
