KU Leuven opens pop-up bar without alcohol

The new pop-up bar NapLap, an acronym of “non-alcoholic place/low-alcoholic place”, on Oude Markt in Leuven will serve students only drinks with no or little alcohol this month. The idea is to promote responsible alcohol consumption and is an initiative of the local university, student umbrella organisation Loko, university college UCLL, the City of Leuven and brewer AB InBev.

According to a 2013 survey by the Flemish Association for Alcohol and Other Drug Problems, about 33% of male students and 15% of female students in higher education in Flanders is “binge drinking” at least once a month. Four percent of final-year students who drink consume beer on a daily basis.

“We want to show students that they can have a good time with friends without having a hangover the next day,” said University of Leuven vice-rector of student affairs Rik Gosselink. The university is calling March “low-alcohol month”, with student and youth associations organising special evenings in NapLap featuring DJs, stand-up comedy and quizzes.

AB InBev said that there is major growth potential for non- and low-alcohol beer in Flanders and that youngsters in particular are interested in these products. In Belgium, these kinds of beers only represent just over 2% of the market, while this amounts to 10.4% in Germany and 17.7% in Spain.

Photo: Michael De Lausnay/KU Leuven