Alex Lloyd visits the York bar which is reinventing Wednesdays.

AFTER spending three years as a student in York, DJ Mike Thompson decided it was time for a change.

When he graduated from York St John College earlier this year, he thought the city's nightscene needed livening up mid-week and diversifying.

That was the birth of the Orgasmic Sessions, the recently launched Wednesday night party at the stylish Orgasmic Caf Bar on the banks of the River Ouse.

Mike, who is resident DJ along with Paul Cooke, said the idea is to mix a range of musical tastes and styles, from funky house and soul to disco and jazz funk.

"There was nothing really in town on a Wednesday and we thought we would try and fill a gap," he says. "It gives people a bit more variety. We want to bring a bit of life to Wednesday nights. And the important thing is to be accessible."

Mike began DJing six years ago, at the age of 16, and hails from Leeds where the bar scene is particularly strong.

"Leeds is so competitive," he says. "You go around the bars and there is something for everyone. All my friends were into a certain type of music and I came to York and there was no option.

"There are a lot of good bands on offer. You can go to the clubs but there is not any variety. I am sure people who are coming to university here would like a choice."

Mike's big tunes at the moment include Call On Me by Eric Prydz and I Feel For You by Bob Sinclair.

Ben Scott, who often warms-up for the pair, opts for Sasha and Emerson's Scorchio and St Germain's Red Rose, while Paul, who has also played at Prognosis in Toffs, goes for Flower Power's self-titled track.

"I think in a few weeks it will definitely be number one," he says.

The guys tend to increase the tempo of the music throughout the night as diners leave and clubbers come in for a drink.

To add a bit of excitement, they bring in regular guests, including DJs from Goodgreef.

"It has been going really well," says Mike. "This week was particularly good with the crowd from the races, and we have had people come down from Leeds.

"We have got a lot of experience from playing different venues in Leeds so we try to bring that into it."

With the glorious venue, upbeat, feel-good music and (fingers-crossed) sunny weather, a Wednesday night visit to the Orgasmic Sessions has all the appeal of any Balearic bar, but without the price of a flight.

Orgasmic Sessions, at Orgasmic Caf-Bar, off Coney Street, Wednesdays, 8pm-midnight, free entry, 01904 631541, www.orgasmic-cafe.com

Updated: 15:29 Thursday, August 19, 2004