Lion hopes youth will surf and sip in cyber bars

By MICHAEL FOREMAN

Roll over internet cafes - here comes the internet bar. Roaming net users who are fed up with lukewarm lattes will soon be able to sip pints as they surf the web.

Lion Breweries, in association with web company Real Developments, will install high-speed internet terminals in bars across the country as part of an experiment it has dubbed the Cyb@r Project.

Real Developments cyb@r project manager Chris Smith said the card-operated terminals would be up and running by the end of the month.

Transaction software developed by listed company ETT would allow the surfing behaviour of each card holder to be tracked.

"The system will be user-friendly and there will be some promotional offers. For example, you'd buy a $5 card over the bar and get a dollar off your next bottle of Lion Red."

So far 30 establishments have been earmarked as cyb@rs, including Auckland watering holes Papa Jack's, Fat Camel, The Wharf, Cavalier, The Immigrant and the Poenamo and Glenfield Tavern on the North Shore.

The terminals will include a home page for each pub, online competitions and full and unrestricted use of the internet.

"As you have to be 18 to drink in a bar, that automatically controls access," said Mr Smith. "If we get complaints about porn being downloaded in family restaurants or anything like that, then obviously we can install filters like Cyber Patrol, but in the locations we have at the moment it's not necessary.

"We've done the research and they don't have a problem with it."

Lion Breweries brand director Chris Fairbairn said the trial would make the internet more widely available in comfortable and convenient locations.

"From a brand point of view it allows us to link the net and Lion Red. Our target is the 18-24-year-old market and technology is a part of youth culture."

Mr Fairbairn doubted customers would be tempted to send out ill-considered e-mails after they had over-indulged.

"There's a certain amount of dexterity involved in sending an e-mail, so I don't think that will be a problem."