Harry Styles Calls $10 New York Cappuccino ‘Out of Control’

On November 3, Harry Styles’ comments about coffee prices and tipping in New York were drawing sharply different responses after a fan-shared video from his Madison Square Garden residency circulated online. During the Halloween-themed concert, he joked that the price of caffeinated drinks was among the holiday’s scariest features and said he had paid $10 for a cappuccino. He also objected to being prompted to tip 20%, 22% or 24%.

Some viewers praised Styles for raising concerns about tipping and the cost of an everyday purchase. Others called his complaint hypocritical, pointing to ticket prices for his 30-show residency. Regular tickets ranged from $50 to $1,182.40, while the priciest VIP package cost $1,667. The residency’s ticket prices had also drawn criticism when announced.

Coffee prices have risen amid production shortfalls linked to climate conditions and US tariffs that were later removed. In September, the average cost for a pound of roasted, ground coffee in cities across the US reached $9.33, 91% above the 2020 level and the highest figure for that month. Coffee companies have said they reduced profit margins during the price shock to limit increases and are now rebuilding those margins.

Styles’ global residency includes stops in seven cities and is scheduled to conclude in December 2026. He is due to perform in additional cities next year, including Phoenix, Los Angeles, Toronto, Berlin and London.