Grab a Guinness at Manly’s new late-night bar
Visit The Gopher, Manly’s new Irish-inspired late-night basement bar, and you’ll step down into an Ireland of the early 1900s where you are sure of a big welcome, a grand ole pint of Guinness, a good feed and some of the best live entertainment you’ll find on the Beaches.
The Gopher is on the site of the Old Manly Boatshed which has been renovated. It’s full of character, comfort and warmth with worn textures and aged finishes, reclaimed century-old lighting and internationally sourced vintage fixtures to create a moody, immersive space. I was there for a preview. The website says, ‘a good night starts with a stout,’ and who am I to argue with that?
I enjoyed a pint or two of draught Guinness, which went down very well. There’s also Kilkenny (beer, brewed by Guinness) on tap, Magners Irish apple cider by the bottle, and a rotating UK beer of the month.
Cool cocktails are also on offer, with signatures including the Hells Bells, a butter-washed martini, and The Sinner, which is a pineapple and habanero margarita. You can also have an Irish Coffee with Jamieson Black Barrell whiskey. Non-alcoholic cocktails are available, plus Guinness 0.0 and Heineken 0.0.
Food offerings include share-style pulled beef Yorkshire pudding pies, black pudding scotch eggs, pork pies (delicious), pork and fennel sausage rolls with Irish whiskey spiced ketchup, and colcannon croquettes (Irish potato and cabbage – in a tasty croquette).
There’s also the Irish spice bag, a street-style classic of fried chicken tossed with beer battered fries, peppers and onions in bold spice seasoning with curry sauce. Slow-braised beef and Guinness pie, fisherman’s pie, and lots of other mouthwatering dishes round out the menu.
You can grab a bag of Taytos (world famous Irish crisps perfect with any drink but especially a stout in my opinion) and enjoy some buttermilk soda bread with Kerrygold (the best Irish butter).
Live music will have you on your feet, dancing and singing along, with bands playing most evenings until late.
The Gopher is the vision of designer and co-owner Matt Clifton, a Manly local whose background spans hospitality and property across Los Angeles, New York and Sydney favourites Donny’s Bar, Henry G’s and The Cumberland.
The venue takes its name from the Gopher Gang, an Irish American street crew from Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen. This is mirrored in the design and menu, through to an honours board and the 100 Pint Club (I’m two down!).
“We wanted to create something that feels transportive,” says Clifton. “Not just a bar you walk into, but a space that shifts your mood the second you step downstairs. It’s about atmosphere, detail and creating experiences people come back for.”
The Gopher is taking walk-ins initially but is taking enquiries for functions.
THE GOPHER
40 The Corso, Manly