The Gopher Bar
A new late-night basement bar has opened beneath the Manly Corso, and it's swapping beachside brightness for old-world Irish pub energy.
Overview
A new late-night basement bar has opened beneath the Manly Corso, and it's swapping beachside brightness for old-world Irish pub energy, for all those North Shore expats or anyone who likes to share that their great-granny was an Irish ratbag.
The Gopher is designed to feel half a world away from its coastal surroundings. Downstairs, the venue's vibe is all in on early 1900s Ireland with worn textures, reclaimed century-old lighting, vintage fixtures sourced from the UK and a dimly lit fit-out built for long nights, live music, and slowly-poured pints.
The venue comes from designer and co-owner Matt Clifton, a Manly local whose hospitality background spans Los Angeles, New York and Sydney bars including Donny's Bar, Henry G's and the Cumberland.
Food-wise, the Gopher is taking cues from Irish pub classics, but with a more share-style approach because that's how we do it Down Under. You'll find stick-to-your-ribs dishes like pulled beef Yorkshire pudding pies and black pudding Scotch eggs alongside late-night drinks and regular live bands playing from early evening through until late.
Behind the bar, Irish pours sit alongside signature drinks like the Hells Bells (a butter-washed martini) and The Sinner (a pineapple and habanero margarita). Guinness and Kilkenny are both on tap, with a rotating UK beer of the month to shake things up.
The venue takes its name from the Gopher Gang, an Irish-American street crew from Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen, with the reference threaded throughout the space via menu details, an honours board and a "100 Pint Club" for regulars who stamp their card with each session.
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Imagery: Supplied
Information
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