MOJITO, anyone? Latin lovers might prefer a Cuba Libre. Or perhaps you'd prefer to sip on a Champagne Julip? Bar Talk this week donned its shiniest lounge suit and schmoozed on down to Yates's Wine Lodge to sip cocktails by the river. It made a change from beer and skittles.

The cocktail menu, designed to titillate the most jaded of palates, was introduced as part of a new look for this old landmark.

Cocktail recipes come from Ben Reed, the man behind London's Met Bar, which is like Yates's Wine Lodge without the sophistication. Mojito and Champagne Julip both include Havana Club and fresh mint, by the way. Cuba Libre involves dark rum and lime juice.

They cost between £3.25 and £4.25, but you can buy a jug of your chosen cocktail for £7.50 between 5pm and 8pm. Please note: you're meant to share the jug.

Those who have more traditional tastes, and wallets, can enjoy discounts on Carling, Tetley and Budweiser from 2pm-5pm.

Yates's has only been reopened for a week, after a seven-week refurb, and it's already a hit with the customers. So says the manager of four years Roy Stephens. Drinkers love the restyled riverside bar on York's Church Street.

It now boasts a conservatory as part of its more continental ambience. Air conditioning should make this a cool spot to hang out if a hot summer comes our way.

"I am over the moon with it," said Roy. "And the customer reaction has been out of this world."

Continuing this space theme, last weekend the pub hosted Galaxy FM's launch of dance act Faithless's new CD. Similar events with the radio station are planned.

The pub's menu is also new, with lighter bites costing up to £4, and main meals boasting larger portions costing up to £5.25. Food is served till ten. Cocktails are served any time, any place, anywhere on the premises.

u STILL on weird (ie not beer) drinks, Wildes Bar in York is one of the first venues to stock a new concoction called Cane. Triple distilled from Sugar Cane, this colourless drink is popular, we are told, in South Africa and the like.

Nikki Tunstall, of Wildes Bar in Grape Lane, York, said: "There is a trend to drink longer premium spirit-based drinks, especially in the summer.

"Cane is strong and smooth, rather like the folk behind Bar Talk." NB We may have doctored that last quote.

Cane has been imported by Lock Stock Trading Co, the brainchild of James Hudson.

"Vodka's success over the last few years has been due to its 'hit', its neutrality as an ideal base spirit and its lack of association with any one type of mixer," he said.

"As Cane has these attributes, we are sure it can be just as popular."

The 40 per cent ABV drink comes in a clear plastic 50ml 'shotpak'.

Acute Marketing, of Penley's Grove Street, York, are promoting it through "only the most fashionable clubs and bars".

We look forward to sampling it in the Three Cranes on our next visit.

u YOU have to hand it to the Queen. She's a cool customer.

Her Maj got through the whole of her speech on Wednesday without once exclaiming: "Beggar me, my Government've ditched the longer licensing Bill, the little swines."

Pub crusading MP John Grogan's increased majority in Selby was surely enough of a mandate for this popular reform. After all New Labour banged on about scrapping outdated liquor licensing for months. But now they can't be bothered to sort out the detail.

"Many pub-goers will feel cheated," said Mike Benner, of the Campaign For Real Ale. "Licensing reform featured heavily in Labour's election campaign and drinkers deserve to know when the Government is planning to stick to its commitment."

It'd better be soon. Otherwise we'll have to call time on this lot at the next poll.