It's fast becoming one of Liverpool's coolest hangouts, but if you haven't been indoctrinated yet (where have you been?), there's a Tea Tasting Masterclass at Leaf Tea Bar this month.

They describe themselves as a punk teashop, which I love, because this little cubby-hole of cool in Parliament Street is so far removed from dolies and old-ladies in lace that it's as refreshing as the tea it serves and punk is probably the best way to describe it. I can't impress upon you enough how much you're missing out if you haven't been down there yet. Many a glum, …

While I may be trying to be sensible this year by avoiding the 'get drunk quick' solution to the perennial problem of what to do on New Years Eve, I shall, no doubt, be roped into seeing a few friends in various bars.
But if last year is anything to go by, this isn't a straightforward thing to do. No, New Years Eve in Liverpool bars needs planning because they get extremely busy, many have an entrance fee and once you're in, you're in for the night. Liverpool bars are in fact merging into clubs more and more, a result of the 24-hour drinking no doubt. 

So my advice, if you're spending New Years Eve in Liverpool bars, …

Confused by wine? There are quite a few of us who can’t tell their Chablis from their Chardonnays (no need to be ashamed!) and find ourselves stuttering when we’re amidst wine connoisseurs. Who knew just a little bottle of fermented grapes would be so tricky?

Now you have the chance to get all that knowledge sorted. Guy Henri Azam, head winemaker at Baron Philippe de Rothschild winery, and fellow wine expert Philip Goodband are hosting a webchat to demystify the concept. From good buys to ones best avoided, and how to recognise which wines are best whilst wandering the aisles of your local off licence.

Want to get your wine questions answered? Click here …

Now I don’t mean to scare you, but I think robots may be trying to take over the world – or the UK at least - I-Robot style. Yes, it’s true. First it was the turn of the ICA in London to introduce robotic punk clubbers (see Neurotic Robots Love to Party), and now the world’s first robotic barman (I swear, it’s true) is making its shiny and new debut at one of my favourite places to spend money – Selfridges Oxford Street - tomorrow.

The robot, lovingly named Mr Asahi (as in the beer) is …