Alex Lloyd goes out on the town, this week looking at a chilled out music session.

Hustler's Lounge in the bar at the Judges Lodgings, Lendal, Wednesdays, 7.30pm-11pm, free entry.

"THE intelligent person's drinking place" is how Jed 104 of Beats sums up their new weekly night, Hustler's Lounge.

Up and running for about two months, the event is an extension of the hip hop crew's hugely successful monthly night, Beatsiality, at Fibbers.

When Beatsiality launched last year, it injected some much-needed diversity into the York music scene, and proved there is a thriving and dynamic hip hop culture in the city. But where Beatsiality is all about the dancefloor, Hustler's Lounge has a more chilled-out vibe, while retaining the good music and atmosphere that are central to Beats activities.

The surroundings of the recently-refurbished bar at the Judges Lodgings also make this event the perfect mid-week place to relax with your mates and listen to decent music.

Jed says: "This is more bar music, underground hip hop. It's not as much about dancing although there are still some party tunes and dancey stuff in there."

Regularly on the decks playing cutting-edge tracks are Beatsiality residents Jed 104, Tommy Lockjaw and Big Tim, with the odd special guest thrown.

Jed says: "It's really taking off. People can enjoy a drink without any cheesy music in the background.

"I would call it the intelligent person's drinking place. It's rare that you get to hear live DJs in a bar for free."

Hustler's Lounge gets its official launch in 2004 and Jed says it will be even bigger and better, boasting a new sound system and a vodka bar with shots from £1.

The guys will also be seeing in the New Year by hosting a joint party with house night No Shanti at the Judges Lodgings. Hustler's Lounge will be in the bar, while No Shanti residents and Freakin favourites Rich Clark and P Funk will be upstairs.

Jed says the night should draw a unique crowd and they plan to party until the wee small hours. Tickets are £5 and available at the bar. For more information, visit www.beats.nu.

Updated: 13:32 Friday, December 12, 2003