A Different Kind of Pub

From the Telegraph:

A 17th century crypt in Rome has been converted into a pub by the Roman Catholic Church in an attempt to draw young Italians away from British-style binge-drinking.

The bar, named GP II after the Italian initials for John Paul II, offers beer and wine at much cheaper prices than neighbouring pubs and bars, but frowns on drunkenness.

The initiative, which has the blessing of the diocese of Rome, is intended to offer a late-night venue for young people who might otherwise wander the streets.

There are concerns that Italians are beginning to embrace the sort of binge-drinking that until recently has been alien to most Mediterranean countries, with a report released yesterday warning that one in three young Italians was at risk of serious health problems because of the amount of alcohol they consume.