JD Wetherspoon (JDW), which operates 792 pubs, said sounds from smartphones and tablets had become an “increasing problem” in recent years.
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Customers are being asked to switch phones to silent or use earphones when watching videos or taking calls.
A JDW spokesperson said: “Following complaints from customers, who are being driven nuts by other people’s videos and amplified phone conversations, Wetherspoon has asked customers to switch their phones to silent or to use earphones.”
No music policy
The company said the move reflected its long standing approach to background music.
Unlike most pubs and restaurants, JDW pubs have traditionally operated without music, although 44 of its 792 pubs trade as Lloyds and have music at certain times.
JDW is not the only pub operator to take a stricter approach to noise and devices, with Samuel Smith pubs also known for quiet pub policies, including restrictions on mobile phones, laptops, tablets, televisions and music.
JDW chairman Tim Martin said: “In a world dominated by other people’s music and amplified sound, Wetherspoon pubs are an oasis of tranquillity and contemplation.
“In order to avoid customers being driven chicken jalfrezi by a cacophony of sound, we are kindly asking phone users to pipe down.”
Venue etiquette
The move comes amid wider debate around customer behaviour, technology and privacy in hospitality venues.
Earlier this month, Martin said Meta smart glasses, which can record video and take photos, should not be used to film customers or staff in pubs without permission.
He said the glasses appeared to “breach this code, and common sense” by enabling covert recording, and compared the issue to JDW’s efforts to stop people playing videos out loud in pubs.
