Soul Central - Dee Why

I went recently with a group of friends to watch a live show at Soul Central. I'm sorry to say I didn't enjoy the experience ..soulless central would be a better way to describe the venue. I felt like I had been transported back to a bad wedding venue in the 80s. It didn't help that there were not a lot of people in the venue, I'm sure if it were more full the atmosphere would be so much better. However unless they improve the food drastically then the venue will remain half full. The food...how to describe this poor excuse of a meal... It was so bad, I don't think I have been insulted like this for a long while. Four tiny tasteless prawns on a bed of iceberg lettuce with some sauce straight from a jar was on offer as one of the entres, the other, three tiny pork puff/wonton things..from the freezer and out of a box I'm sure, were served again with a sauce from a jar. The main I had was the beef penne...the meat wasn't too bad but there was only about a tablespoon of meat sauce to a bowl of pasta, my partner's pasta had a better sauce to pasta ratio than mine. It was a quick Tuesday night dinner (in my house). And that folks was it! Truly awful... I thought we had moved away from such dreadful cuisine...it did match the decor I guess.The show was quite good, moments of brilliance and humour but repetitive in its nature. Again, no atmosphere, the lights weren't even dimmed. We left at half time, which by this stage was near to 10 o'clock. I was ready for home ...Will not be returning. One of my friends had been before, complained about the food but nothing had changed, it was exactly the same awful menu. Oh, and it doesn't come cheap...Sorry I had nothing very positive to say.

We went with a load of friends, particularly to watch Johnny G & the E Types who are the ultimate Soul Band in Australia, great singers and musicians. SOUL CENTRAL as a venue is an excellent size with adequate seating and an excellent dance floor. If you are looking for 5 star dining this is not the place to go, if you enjoy great live music, provided at a smidgeon of the cost you would pay in similar venues, with reasonable food and a great selection of drinks, good service, and a great atmosphere and fantastic hosts, then get along to SOUL CENTRAL for a fantastic night out with a bunch of your mates.

Went along to Soul Central looking for a good nights entertainment, and our group of twelve enjoyed, the best music provided by the Fantastic Johnny G & the E Types, who are without doubt are amoungst the best live Soul bands you will get anywhere in Australia if not the Southern Hemisphere!!! They are true to the very essence of real Soul music are top musicians siingularly and collectively Top Drawer.Onto Soul Central, it is a very welcoming venue, with freindly staff and the owners are at hand to greet all who enter the club and are very hospitable, and take a pride in offering, good service, good food, and a determination to offer a great venue with LIVE music from top class acts at a reasonable cost. Do yourself a favour and get along to Soul Central with a group of freinds for a great night out.

Where do I start? Words fail me to decribe our experience here. Sadly, the actual venue was ex Lizottes known for their exceptional quality of food and service besides the exemplary music. The new venue promised everything quoting " we will do it better than Lizottes". Well, in the end what was delivered was less than anything professionally acceptable. The owners although lovely people, cannot justify the price and quality of food, portions served nor waiting service. THIS NOT TAPAS. .I would suggest a course in hospitality to undertand the basic standards expected by Australian standards.

Six of us attended the Van Morrison tribute show. The band was fantastic with many people up dancing; everything else was disappointing. We purchased tickets in advance for $49 but the price was reduced substantially a few days before the concert, in order to sell more. I mentioned this to one if the managers who gave us some free drinks because we had paid full price....but I now get emails offering reduced priced tickets close to a show as I am on their mailing list... so why bother paying the full price up-front? The venue was still only two thirds full on the night despite this.The food was pretty awful...small portions of average food with slow service. One of the hot olives burnt my mouth as they were inconsistently heated. Dips were tiny, bread was dry. The quesadillas were the only decent dish. Pork and chicken were dry with the same salad served with each dish. The men in our group all ate after the show.Food service continued after the show started, and again after the interval (with desserts), so the lights remained on - we asked to have them dimmed so we could see the stage and enjoy the ambience.Wine expensive at approx $40 a bottle. Choice of 2 craft beers at $10 each! Slow service with one barman. Because of the licence this venue has, you must purchase the ticket upfront which includes one drink, tapas and show. I feel it's a very expensive night out and food and drinks are just not good value. This needs to be seriously addressed if the venue wants to be successful.