Name that tune is always a popular round in pub quizzes but a city centre bar is going one better – with a competition to name the whole place.

The new establishment in Western Road, Brighton, opened a few weeks ago but the sign above the door has remained blank.

The idea to let drinkers choose the name came from promotion and events expert George Parolalista.

There have already been hundreds of entries and the people behind the best 30 names will be invited to an official naming ceremony after the deadline of August 31.

The winner will not only see their name in lights but will receive £2,000. There will also be prizes for second and third place.

Mr Parolalista, the founder of the Brighton-based George Alexander Group, said: “The bar is almost exactly on the border between Brighton and Hove so a lot of the names have tried to incorporate that with geographic references such as The Borderline.

“It also has history as a nightclub called Caps so some people have thought of Return Of Caps and similar things.”

The bar is owned by husband and wife Mehrdad Nikkah-Esghi and Ladan Hadavi, who previously ran a Lebanese restaurant on the site.

Mr Nikkah-Esghi said: “I think the competition is a great idea. We have designed the inside of the bar ourselves but we thought it would be nice to let the customers name it.

“Something short and easy to remember would be best.”

The recession has been particularly tough on the hospitality industry, with many pubs and clubs going out of business as consumers choose to save money and drink at home.

Mr Parolalista believes publicity stunts like this are a great way of capturing the public's imagination and ensuring the business gets off to the best possible start.

He said: “You have to engage with the local social life and the more active you are on the scene the better.

“If you to promote a bar on its own without adding anything it isn't going to get the attention. This competition concept can generate a lot more interest.”

To take part in the competition, visit www.georgealexandergroup.com.