My Secret Auckland: Singer Linn Lorkin shares her favourite spots in the city
Favourite place to take a visitor to?
Hoppers on a Sunday evening. The ambience is hip-kitsch, a bit like the Budapest 'ruin bars', with Tiffany-style lamps and a movable skylight roof. The band is world-class, super funky, playing R&B classics, the rhythms irresistible and all ages leap up to dance with each other in a great community way. An Auckland treasure.
Favourite spot to finish a night out?
Whenever I've just finished a gig, I love to stay in the venue, hang out with the stragglers, drink some wine, have a bite, wind down.
Favourite place to get coffee?
Neighbour, top of Hakanoa, a high standard of baristaship, lovely staff and I can get a good matcha!
Favourite trail for a hike?
It's not a hike, it's a walk, but you can't beat good old Grey Lynn Park of an evening. You can walk around the whole perimeter, past gorgeous old oak trees and the community doing its thing: little kids on the playground swings, pre-teens doing the Pump Track on their bikes, teenage girls and boys learning rugby skills from expert Pasifika coaches, happy dogs and their owners.
Favourite venue for a gig?
Epolito's, see above. I get to sing in French and Italian with French Toast. It's happy hour prices with happy people. Then there's Botticelli in Takapuna. A great live-music bar, and I sing and play my songs with my quartet.
Favourite place to find a bargain?
The regular pop-ups organised by the non-profit Dress for Success, which provides Auckland women with professional work attire. Good labels, excellent prices and sometimes an everything-at-$5 sale. All proceeds go to their charity.
Linn Lorkin has just released Linn Lorkin's 101 Songs: The Songbook – A treasure trove of handwritten lyrics, piano parts, stories and more, celebrating New Zealand's musical legend.
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