FOR Black Sheep lovers (and there are many although not in the Biblical sense) there is a treat in store next week. From Friday, the First Hussar, on York's North Street, is hosting a Black Sheep week.

Lasting ten days, the pub will be offering all five real ales from the Masham Brewery, as well as loads of give-aways of T-shirts, bottled beers and other related merchandise in draws.

There will also be a final draw giving away a Black Sheep Hamper.

The event kicks off on Friday, September 1, and lasts until Sunday 10.

Landlord and accomplished saxophone player John Cass has promised punters that all five ales - Riggwelter, Bitter, Special, Yorkshire Square Ale and Boot Loosener - will be served in their usual tip-top condition and if it is sunny all are welcome to sit in their strangely enclosed beer garden.

The pub's weekly quiz also returns on Tuesday at 9pm. It is free to enter, there is beer and a rollover jackpot in this multiple-choice quiz.

Apparently there are also chips when you enter and you don't have to worry about not understanding the heavy Geordie tones of the boss - the quiz is written out.

WALKING past number one Little Stonegate, York, thirsty punters may be wondering what is being built there.

As you would expect, nay demand, Bar Talk has been sticking its nose in to find out about what will soon become the latest licensed premises to join York's growing list of places to go to avoid spending time at home with the missus/old man.

Kennedy's Caf-Bar becomes the newest place to drink in our fair city when it opens to the public on Saturday, September 16.

The bar, owned by Karen Waugh, currently at the helm at Harkers on St Sampson's Square, York, will be a two-floor affair and "strictly waitress-service only".

Joining the swelling ranks in the caf-quarter, the bar will be yet another welcome addition to our drinking scene and Bar Talk will give you the full lowdown slightly nearer the time.

THE second annual beer festival is being held at the Wheatsheaf Inn, Burn, in three weeks time.

Ian Murray, the entrepreneurial and press-friendly landlord, will be inviting boozers to sup up to 30 local, regional and national ales at the event on the weekend of September 15.

The usual promise of free soft drinks for designated drivers and half-a-pint for a return ticket will be in force, and Ian has promised fantastic beers and maybe even a local politician. More details of the beer will come nearer the time, but if it is anything like last year, it is one for the diary.

Meanwhile, you still have time to visit the Black Swan, Peasholme Green, York, which is hosting a beer festival throughout this weekend.

THINGS just get better and better. Shaun Collinge, the man who ridiculed Bar Talk's Joshua Titley for once losing his car at the Great Yorkshire Show, continues to have transport problems all of his own.

He recently lost his licence for six months after being caught speeding. Then he travelled to Munich to watch the Leeds United game there with pal Dave 'Blackie' Black.

On the way home, they were caught attempting to fare dodge on a German train. Rather than pay the £20 fine, they hopped off.

By the time they arrived at the airport, their plane had just left. So they had to cough up another £100 each for new airline tickets and a further £28 for train tickets from Stansted to King's Cross (they were originally due to fly into Heathrow).

The Maltings gaffer's problems with planes, trains and automobiles suggests to Bar Talk that he might be best staying put from now on. It's more restful, especially on your wallet.

u DESPITE York Brewery's only pub promising no jukebox, music was clearly heard blasting out this week.

Punters, and those in the street standing close enough to the window, were treated to terrible renditions of the Snowman, the Entertainer and Fur Elise.

There may be no jukebox, but failing to lock the lid on the pub's piano enabled one of Bar Talk's two writers to reel off his limited repertoire.

The low point in Dan Beergut-stein's career was reached when he was forced to hammer out Happy Birthday himself, in the absence of any friends to play it for him on his big day.

Great pub, shame about the music.

Dan Beergutstein & Joshua Titley