BAR Talk hates putting labels on pubs, but sometimes it can be amusing to see what labels they put on themselves. Take Walker's Bar in Micklegate: before the refurbishment we would have called it a real drinkers pub; it had real ales, it had wooden floors, it had the infamous dominoes team and the famous jukebox, it had 'regulars'... it was a real pub for real people.

Scottish & Newcastle's website term it a little differently though. Here, it is described as "formerly a run down drinking den", an epitaph that has so far offended only one person connected with the pub in its former incarnation; for the rest of us it was the sole reason for drinking there!

The newly transformed Walker's Bar, again according to S&N's website, offers "an exciting opportunity" in this "new Young Persons Venue of a manageable size".

Anyway, it has reopened under the W Bar sign and will be majoring on ale, wine, food, lunchtime diners and students in the evening.

As it is still being run by a management team, not all of these things have come to pass although they they probably will when a new franchisee has been found.

Our label for Walker's Bar now, having spent ten years drinking in there on and off, is... green. It's very green and has a very bizarre light fitting, big comfy sofas at one end and 'normal' pub tables at the other, and a friendly manager called Mike.

Seriously, it has got real ale, and it is a very good pint, and still one of the best jukeboxes in York. Welcome to the new W Bar.

- FREE beer alert! Pete Richardson, former scribe of this space and Rooster lover (the beer, not the bird) is now a big cheese in charge of his own company.

WLM Public Relations specialises in all things golf (the game, not the car). That is why it is attending the poetically-named Bigga Turf Management Exhibition at Harrogate International Centre from next Tuesday (January 22-24).

The exhibition is primarily aimed at golf types, but Pete has wangled a deal that will appeal to all-comers, even those wearing stylish trousers.

Anyone attending the WLM stand can pick up a leaflet that can be cashed in for a free pint at York's ale temple The Maltings, Tanners Moat.

As WLM is promoting holidays to the International Pairs Golf Tournament, he instantly thought of Maltings supremo Shaun Collinge.

"If anyone knows about international pairs, it's Shaun," said the jet-setting tycoon between puffs of his cigar.

- ARE you pie-eyed? Do you know where to lay your teeth on the finest steak pie in the whole of Yorkshire pubdom?

Then your services are needed.

British Meat in association with Sky Television's 'Pub Channel' wants to find the best Steak Pie served in Britain's pubs.

It can be steak and kidney, steak and ale or even steak and stilton.

Once all the nominations have been received, mystery diners will visit the pubs and select six finalists to compete in the Steak Pie challenge to choose the very best.

To nominate a pub, contact British Meat with its name and address and the name of its steak pie.

Write to James Sephton, British Meat Steak Pie Competition, 81, Barwell Business Park, Leatherhead Road, Surrey, KT9 2NY, e-mail him on james@b2bcommunications.co.uk or ring him on 020 8974 2404.

Updated: 09:05 Saturday, January 19, 2002