Alex Lloyd runs down the bars and clubs for the Bank Holiday weekend.

THE weather may be gloomy but rest assured, there is an array of events in York's bars and clubs to keep you in a sunny mood this Bank Holiday weekend.

City Screen's Basement Bar, off Coney Street, hosts a couple of great nights, as always, kicking off with monthly groove session, Supa Fi, tonight.

Live music will be provided by York band The Circle and resident DJ Duke Dylanja will be behind the decks. Doors open at 7.30pm and entry is £4.

Sunday night sees something a little different with La Musica Con Espiritu, billed as a "loft-style party" with DJs, dancers and drummers playing Afro-Brazilian, rhumba and zoukous beats plus loads of disco.

This charity event begins at 5pm and costs £5 (£4 for members and concessions).

At neighbouring Pitcher & Piano, there will be extended drinking until midnight on Saturday. Sunday chill-out session Cool Note will start a little earlier at 4pm. Alongside the funky, soulful grooves courtesy of DJ Paul Kane, there will be a barbecue (weather permitting).

For those after something a little more upbeat, there is a party theme at Orgasmic a few doors away, climaxing with Thank Funk It's Sunday on (it doesn't take a rocket scientist) Sunday. Resident DJs playing funky house, retro and twisted disco will be joined by special guests and there will be live sax from Little Rich. Entry is free and the music kicks off at 6pm and runs until midnight.

The Grapes, in King Street, will also be laying it on heavy with the house as free bank holiday party Evo takes over the decks from 8pm on Sunday.

Kennedy's, in Little Stonegate, has a selection of DJs in the Basement each night until 1am and the usual chilled-out drinking upstairs.

On the other side of the river, Nexus will have chart and party courtesy tonight and Saturday until 2.30am. Matt Trolle will be playing 20 years of your favourite tunes on Sunday, with free entry all night, and Stevie Eeze offering chart and party on Monday. Both open until 1am.

Over the road at McMillans, resident DJ Mike Brown is promising a "party starting" mix until 1am tonight and Saturday.

The Sunday Session will boast house and dance from the last decade, also until 1am, and DJ Paul Bailey-Hague will be playing R 'n' B on Monday.

York's clubs also have special events planned for Sunday.

The Gallery will be extending its More T Vicar night until 2am, with dance and party in the Main Room, and R 'n' B in the Basement. Admission is from £6 and doors open at 9.30pm.

Toffs will host Extend the Weekend, the first bank holiday special since the club's refurbishment.

There will be something for everyone between 10pm and 2am - chart and party in the Main Room, classic hits from the last three decades in Room 2, and a choice of smooth grooves or party in the lounges.

Admission is £5 but, if you pick up a flyer from one of the street teams or local outlets, it costs £2 before midnight and £4 after.

Last but not least Ikon at Clifton Moor will be ensuring the summer spirit is alive and kicking with a Balearic beach party accompanied by party and R 'n' B.

Admission is £2 before 11pm and £4 after. If you have a UKCN card, you can get in for free before 11pm or pay just £2 after.

Those of you brave enough to don your best beach wear will enjoy free entry before 11pm.

Updated: 15:45 Thursday, August 26, 2004