Urban Soul Cafe

For our Friday night entertainment, we're looking for musicians that can sing either their own tunes or covers. The night requires material for 3x40min set, between 6-9pm on Friday nights. You will be fed, rehydrated and most importantly, paid.

Please send bio/music to chloe.bartlett@gmail.com if you're interested.

Urban Soul:

The best things in life are often beyond reach but not this time round. Newly opened Urban Soul at Manukau is just down the road and I have no doubt foodies will be beating a track there in no time at all.

Sensational décor, which started out in the style of New York loft apartments and evolved into Ralph Lauren chic, is black and white with a medley of brown, cream and taupe thrown in for effect.

On Friday nights this area features live acoustic music with a moody mix of jazz and rhythm and blues. Patrons can relax, take their pick from an excellent boutique wine list and order from an international tapas menu – $7.50 per plate or $18.50 for a tasting platter for two.

While open all day until late on Fridays with the tapas menu and music reserved for after work, Urban Soul is primarily a daytime café with a philosophy of fresh ingredients, no commercial mixes and original recipes all made on the premises.

Owners Dave and Tracey Bartlett have long-time industry experience. Dave has operated well-known Steely Blue Café at Takanini for almost 10 years while Tracey comes from a corporate background as former operations manager for Muffin Break and the Robert Harris coffee group.

“Late last year the developers of the new Westpac building, which is part of redevelopment of land on Te Irirangi Drive opposite the new Countdown supermarket, asked us if we would take on the café,” Tracey explains. “I was ready for a change and decided this was a challenge I wanted.”