In East Kensington's trendy cocktail bar and restaurant, Post Haste, diners are given an unconventional twist on Sundays: a pay-what-you-can option. Executive chef Ari Miller drew inspiration from HAGS, a Manhattan eatery that offers a similar deal every Sunday, after trying it out with his wife. The concept isn't new - tipping has always been a way for customers to show appreciation for good service, effectively paying what they can afford.
Miller's team experimented with the idea by hosting a pay-what-you-can pop-up in November, which proved successful. Realizing that Sundays were slower due to its unique setup, Miller decided to bring back the concept permanently. The new offering is exclusive to food and allows customers to review their bill at the end of the meal.
Instead of giving away free food, the goal is to make fine dining more accessible by pricing it as a community-driven experience. "Tipping is pay what you can," Miller explained. "We've taken that concept and expanded on it." By doing so, Post Haste aims to connect with its customers and bring in new faces beyond Sundays.
The initiative has shown positive results, not just for the restaurant but also for other days of the week. People are more likely to visit on non-Sunday nights because they want to support a business that shares their values. Miller plans to continue this model into 2026, refining it and experimenting with new specials, all while fostering a sense of community around Post Haste.
As Miller stated, "We're fortunate to have lovely people coming into the restaurant... We want to meet them, reward their interest in spending time and money with us with some notion of beauty." The response from customers has been overwhelmingly positive, encouraging them to share the experience with others. By adopting this unconventional approach, Post Haste is successfully bridging the gap between fine dining and community engagement.
Miller's team experimented with the idea by hosting a pay-what-you-can pop-up in November, which proved successful. Realizing that Sundays were slower due to its unique setup, Miller decided to bring back the concept permanently. The new offering is exclusive to food and allows customers to review their bill at the end of the meal.
Instead of giving away free food, the goal is to make fine dining more accessible by pricing it as a community-driven experience. "Tipping is pay what you can," Miller explained. "We've taken that concept and expanded on it." By doing so, Post Haste aims to connect with its customers and bring in new faces beyond Sundays.
The initiative has shown positive results, not just for the restaurant but also for other days of the week. People are more likely to visit on non-Sunday nights because they want to support a business that shares their values. Miller plans to continue this model into 2026, refining it and experimenting with new specials, all while fostering a sense of community around Post Haste.
As Miller stated, "We're fortunate to have lovely people coming into the restaurant... We want to meet them, reward their interest in spending time and money with us with some notion of beauty." The response from customers has been overwhelmingly positive, encouraging them to share the experience with others. By adopting this unconventional approach, Post Haste is successfully bridging the gap between fine dining and community engagement.
It's like they're taking a cue from HAGS and flipping it on its head. The idea that customers can review their bill at the end is genius – it's like they're checking in with themselves about how much they're willing to give, rather than just giving freely. I'm curious to see how this model translates into other days of the week, though... will they lose some of that special sauce? And what's next for Post Haste? More specials or a permanent menu item? 
One thing's for sure – it's great to see a restaurant prioritizing community engagement and encouraging customers to be more mindful of their spending. 
, but I gotta say, paying what you can on Sundays does kinda feel like... well, I don't know if it's exactly a pay-it-forward vibe 
. Like, sure, Ari Miller's trying to connect with customers and build a sense of community, but is this just gonna end up being some hipster thing where people only go for the 'gram 
? And what about the service staff? Are they still getting paid enough?
. And if this means people are more likely to visit on non-Sunday nights because they want to support a business with values 
, then that's definitely a win! Just gotta see how it all plays out 
people are more likely to come in on non-sunday nights because they want to support a business that is doing something unique and cool. i love how chef ari miller has framed it, saying that fine dining should be accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford it 
maybe they could even offer a pay what you can wine tasting or something 
i mean like seriously, pay-what-you-can isnt new, tipping has always been a way 2 show appreciation 4 good service. but yay for post haste 4 makin fine dining more accessible 
but i gotta say, its nice 2 see a business gettin it right 
So yeah, Post Haste is doin' it right, imo 
.
but seriously, its not just about saving money, its about being part of something bigger than yourself. and im all for that! 
.
. thats really admirable.
. it could be a game changer for fine dining and community engagement! 
, if people know what's goin on they'll be more down to give it a shot 
And let's not forget about the positive feedback from customers! It's all about building those connections and making people feel valued. I'm rooting for Post Haste to keep doing this – it's a breath of fresh air in the fine dining scene 
. I'm excited to see how they'll refine and expand on this concept in 2026 
. Can't wait to see how Post Haste continues to evolve and bring in new faces 
.
. Seriously though, pay-what-you-can Sundays are genius! It takes away the pressure of having to leave a huge tip and makes dining out feel more inclusive. I'd totally check it out on a Sunday (or any day, tbh). The fact that it's connecting with customers on a community level is amazing 
.