SNEAK PEEK: Welcome To The Gopher, Manly

May 15, 2026

The former Old Manly Boatshed has officially reopened as The Gopher – an Irish inspired live music basement bar from The Saga Group beneath The Corso.

Northern Beaches Living was thrilled to be invited along for a sneak peek preview of new bar The Gopher in Manly last night. There’s some big shoes to fill, but confidence is high in new owners The Saga Group who know what they’re doing when it comes to great Manly venues – they’re the team behind Donny’s Bar, Insitu, Henry Gs, The Hold and Market Lane Live.

Descending below, guests were met with the smell of leather, polished wood and whiskey drifting through the venue beneath embossed ceilings and dim lighting, while pints of Guinness made their way steadily through the crowd.

What initially appears to be one expansive basement venue gradually unfolds into a series of tucked away booths and hidden corners, giving the space a surprisingly intimate feel.

“It feels like New York brought to Manly,” one guest remarked during opening night. Yet despite the transformation, subtle nods to the Old Manly Boatshed still linger throughout the venue.

For decades, the underground space at 40 The Corso held an iconic place in Northern Beaches nightlife. The Old Manly Boatshed opened in 1987, owned by Goff Burgess (Goffy). It soon became known for live music, comedy nights, sticky carpets and the late-night energy that defined generations of nights out in Manly.

Its closure in September 2025 was deeply felt by many Northern Beaches locals.

A Nod To The Boatshed’s Past

The Boaty will always hold a special place in Beaches’ history, and long-time fans will be happy to know you can still feel its spirit in the venue. Locals repeatedly commented last night on the way the redesign appears to blend old with new. Several guests noted the respect shown towards the venue’s history through preserved features and various “windows into the past” on display.

The newer elements have been inspired by iconic New York Irish bars including The Dead Rabbit and Hellcat Maggie’s, with the venue deisgn leaning heavily into a darker 1920s aesthetic, think leather upholstered seating, handcrafted timber tables and vintage inspired detailing woven throughout the space.

References to Irish crews from New York’s Hell’s Kitchen are woven throughout the venue’s menus and branding, reinforcing the immersive underground atmosphere of The Gopher.

Inside The Gopher – Guinness, Whiskey & Live Music

Catching the eye on opening night was the venue’s extensive whiskey selection. Entire pages of the curated menu are dedicated to Irish, Scottish, Japanese, and Australian whiskies.

However, for the ‘first pour’ the endless flow of Guinness and liqueurs moving throughout the venue were enticing and felt fitting for the atmosphere of the night.

A standout cocktail was ‘The Ladies Social’. This was a mix of Crémant sparkling rosé, vanilla and Fraise des Bois topped with a freeze-dried strawberry. Served in a Gopher labelled wine glass, the cocktail was soft, warming and deceptively smooth.

Live music remains central to the venue’s identity. Performances begin with soloists earlier in the evening before larger live acts take over later into the night. It’s expected to remain a major part of the experience moving forward, with the venue trading late into the evening.

By the end of this fabulous first night at The Gopher, one thing felt clear. The Corso may have just rediscovered the late night atmosphere it it had been missing.