[pjc50]

The cost of a restaurant or bar is made up of three basic things: inputs, labour, and rent.

In San Francisco, rent will be the dominant term in that equation, followed closely by the need to pay employees enough to themselves be able to rent nearby.

In sleepier parts of the world, the food itself is the expensive bit, so it matters less if you have people hanging around for longer.

[akvadrako]

This isn't the reason at all.

Even in expensive Eurocities they don't rush you out the door. In the center of Amsterdam it's sometimes difficult to get a waiter's attention for the check - if you don't take the initiative you'll be there for an hour.

And in cheap American cities they also try to push you out the door.