Alex Lloyd introduces alternative nights out for students and others.

STUDENTS don't need to rely on York's clubs for a good, and cheap, night out.

Indie kids should try Vanishing Point at the Little John Cellar Bar in Castlegate, for everything from the Rolling Stones to Kasabian via the Happy Mondays, two Fridays a month. Entry is just £1 and the next event is on October 29.

There is plenty of live music to be had at Fibbers in Stonebow. It is also home to monthly hip hop session Beatsiality, which returns after a summer break on October 30 with Skinnyman and Blade, 7.30pm-12.30am. Tickets £10. Dance music fans also have plenty to choose from. Monday night is Dance Culture at Kennedy's in Little Stonegate, which features a rotating monthly line up of different DJs and genres in its basement bar between 7pm and 11pm. Entry is free and NUS drinks offers available.

Judges Bar, at the Judges Lodgings in Lendal has different DJs playing Wednesday to Saturday, with flavoured vodka shots starting from £1.

Orgasmic off Coney Street also has a mix of DJs and a late licence most nights of the week, while neighbouring Pitcher & Piano offers food and drinks with a more chilled out house session, Cool Note, on Sundays from 6pm.

For a range of excellent monthly club nights, check out the City Screen Basement Bar. Funk nights Mr Green's Onion Club and Nu-York State are regular sell-outs, as is live music forum Supa Fi. Also look out for a soon to launch Urban Music Night.

For the single student, Kennedy's and the Slug and Lettuce, in Little Stonegate both have regular speed-dating events and you might bag yourself a Latino lovely at the Salsa Sunday Social on the second Sunday of each month, 6pm-10pm in the Gallery basement. Entry is £5 or £4 with NUS.

If it's just a quite drink in a good atmosphere you are after, try internet caf-bar Evil Eye in Stonegate, for its killer cocktails and cheap house gin and vodka, or new bar Dusk in New Street, which boasts student discounts, table service and a funk and northern soul soundtrack.

News:

ACCLAIMED hip hop and R 'n' B night LoveDough launches its weekly Friday session at Ikon & Diva tonight, with a set from Mobo award winner Shortee Blitz in Ikon. Funky house night Luv Funk will be in Diva.

Entry is £5, or £4 for members and £3 with NUS. Open 10pm-2am, drinks from £1.50.

Hip hop legend Tim Westwood will present his Radio 1 Rap Show from LoveDough on November 5 - see next week's yorktwenty4seven for more information.

MONDAYS at Toffs has a new look, with performances by different cover and tribute bands each week, and a strictly over 21s door policy.

A Kylie tribute act will be appearing this coming Monday, with a Bryan Adams act the week after. Entry is £2 before 11pm, £3.50 after (discounts for UKCN cardholders). Open 10pm-2.30am.

Updated: 10:03 Friday, October 22, 2004