Brummie cocktail?

Staff at pubs and bars in Birmingham have been challenged to make a cocktail to sum up the city. The Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry has set the challenge to celebrate Birmingham's diversity. BCC marketing executive Gemma Hadley said: 'Singapore has the 'Sling' and New York has the 'Manhattan'. We think it's about time Birmingham had its own cocktail.' Snifter suggested a red, curry flavoured cocktail called the Bull Ring Balti. If you could do better email snifter@william-reed.co.uk

First Robo-barman

The world's first robotic bartender is being road tested at a robot cafe at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation in Korea. It won't chat you up, but the 'T-Rot' is a 'thinking robot' and can hold a conversation, recognise a customer and an empty glass - could be the ideal solution if you've bagged a 24-hour licence.

Elusive spirits

Twenty-eight Punch staff spent a night in the haunted Tutbury castle in Staffordshire to raise money for Children in Need. Despite a crash course in phantom catching, they, luckily, didn't run into 'Ellie'' who allegedly pulls fingers and removes rings.