Coffee shops become NK’s heat wave refuge
Air-conditioned coffee shops, tea houses, and beer halls are emerging as summer refuges for North Korean people as the current heat wave drags on. These modern commercial service facilities offer a rare escape from the heat, but a growing number of customers are ordering a single drink and then occupying a table for hours, leaving […]
Air-conditioned coffee shops, tea houses, and beer halls in North Korea are becoming essential refuges for residents during the intense heat wave. These modern commercial facilities provide a rare escape from the sweltering temperatures, but they are experiencing growing frustration from business owners as customers stay for hours after ordering just one drink.
A source in North Pyongan province reported that air-conditioned commercial venues in downtown Sinuiju have been packed with people seeking relief from the heat, due to the North Korean government guaranteeing electricity to some commercial facilities. Ordinary households struggle to afford enough electricity to run basic cooling equipment, which has led people to flock to air-conditioned commercial venues instead.
Business owners are grappling with the trend, as customers now order a single drink and occupy tables for extended periods, making it difficult to manage the crowds and maintain table turnover. Some businesses are considering new strategies, such as being more selective about which customers they seat or raising drink prices, but the overall trend shows no signs of slowing down as long as the heat wave persists.
Written by urgent.news from Daily NK's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
