SYDNEY, July 26 (Xinhua) -- In restaurants all over the world, it is now common to see diners ignoring family and friends to focus on their digital devices.

Dismayed by the current state of table manners shown by a growing number of people, one Sydney restaurant is fighting back and is offering customers free wine if they are willing to hand over their smartphones.

"I've been in the hospitality industry for 20 years and over time I've seen phones intruding during the meal more and more," owner of the Contact Bar and Kitchen Markus Stauder explained to Business Insider Australia on Thursday.

"I thought, why do we keep getting dragged to our devices over and over?"

"I just want people to enjoy the food and drinks, people miss half the night because they're on their phone."

Given a key and access to a small locker, guests are encouraged to lock up their phones during the meal and spend more engaging with those around them.