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Descend a low-lit stairwell and you’ll find the door to The Gopher, shining like a pot of gold for the taking. Inside, the Irish-inspired late-night tavern – it's open until 3am on Friday and Saturday nights – feels lived-in, even though they just opened their doors this May.
Designed with worn textures, vintage fixtures and reclaimed century-old lighting, the look and feel come courtesy of co-owner Matt Clifton, who is also responsible for Manly faves The Cumberland, Donny’s Bar and Henry G’s. There’s no Emerald Isle paraphernalia here but there are plenty of nods to the Gopher Gang, a rebellious Irish American street crew from Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen, from which the venue takes its name.
In pride of place, the long-stretching bar is pouring traditional Irish fare alongside Kilkenny and a rotating UK beer of the month, but the more adventurous might want to turn their attention to the cocktail menu. Order up the Hells Bells, a butter-washed Martini or The Sinner, a pineapple and habanero Margarita.
Save yourself a flight home with dishes that’ll hit the spot, including pulled beef Yorkshire pudding pies, black pudding scotch eggs and Irish spice bags. Live music performances are on most nights to convince you to stay out a little longer, but we reckon you’ll want to anyway. With its old-world charm and on-point offerings, The Gopher is set to be your new late-night haunt.
Address: 40 The Corso, Manly, NSW 2095
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