With big shoes to fill, The Gopher Manly opened last Friday in The Old Manly Boatshed location. It’s had one heck of a makeover and is now an exquisitely designed Irish pub!
An Irish-inspired basement bar, The Gopher brings a moody and immersive atmosphere, live music and its own brand of hospitality to the heart of Manly.
Located below street level (Boaty fans knew that bit), The Gopher is designed to feel worlds away from its coastal surroundings.
Guests descend into a low-lit space that pulls them back in time – early 1900s Irish in its bones, with worn textures, aged finishes and carefully sourced details like reclaimed century-old lighting and internationally-sourced vintage fixtures.
“We wanted to create something that feels transportive,” says designer and co-owner Matt 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.”
Matt, a Manly local whose background spans hospitality and property across Sydney, Los Angeles and New York, has led the design and direction of the venue, drawing on global influences while shaping a concept that feels distinctly unique.
Rather than replicating a traditional Irish pub, The Gopher offers a more layered interpretation – rustic yet refined, familiar yet distinctly its own.
The venue takes its name from the Gopher Gang, an Irish-American street crew from Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen, known for their rebellious nature and strong sense of character. That narrative runs throughout the venue, informing design details, menu references and in-venue storytelling elements, including an honours board and a 100 Pint Club.
The food offering has been inspired by Irish pub classics, reworked into a share-style format. Dishes such as Pulled Beef Yorkshire Pudding Pies, Black Pudding Scotch Eggs, Slow-Cooked Roast Lamb Shoulder, and Irish Spice Bags are presented in smaller portions, encouraging guests to settle in and stay longer.
The beverage offering balances traditional Irish pours with a creative cocktail offering. Signatures include the Hells Bells – a butter-washed martini – and The Sinner, a pineapple and habanero margarita, alongside Guinness, Kilkenny and a rotating UK beer of the month.
Live music is central to the experience, with bands playing most evenings from early until late. The entertainment is designed to complement the food, drinks and atmosphere – woven into the fabric of the venue for a night well spent.
“There’s a long history of late-night music in this space,” says Matt. “What we’re doing is building on that energy and giving people a reason to stay out again. Nights that feel effortless, but still memorable.”
Images: Dan Gosse
The Gopher
📍40 The Corso, Manly NSW
Website: www.gophermanly.com.au
Instagram: @gophermanly
