There’s no denying that people are constantly glancing at their phones in nearly every public setting, and bars and restaurants are no exception. But according to The Guardian, a restaurant in Italy is now offering extra incentive for its customers to live in the moment and chat amongst themselves: a free bottle of wine in exchange for patrons’ cell phones during their meal.
“We wanted to open a restaurant that was different from the others,” said Angelo Lella, owner of Verona’s Al Condominio, which opened in March 2024. “So we picked this format – customers can choose to renounce technology while enjoying a convivial moment together. This way they have an opportunity to put it aside and drink some good wine.”
