Manly’s New Secret
The Cumberland’s not hard to find – if you know where to look.
Related articles
With pressure on hospitality establishments escalating daily, and a number of high-profile closures across the last few months, you’d think the last thing to do would be to hide a new venue.
And yet that’s exactly what Matt Clifton, owner of Manly’s great new speakeasy, The Cumberland, has done.
To land here takes a little effort – and there’s something fun about the whole thing, building some tangible excitement and anticipation ahead of arrival.
The Cumberland – Photo: Dan Gosse
To hit up The Cumberland – first, head to Manly. Once there, locate and enter the newly established Cove Deli, a functioning venue in its own right, peek behind the main fridge before a trip down its hidden spiral staircase and into what is an engaging Prohibition-inspired bar.
Complicated and convoluted – yes! But it’s worth it (and how many times can you say that of a trip to Manly – please do write in!) given The Cumberland serves an impressive selection of over 250 whiskies, natural wine, beer alongside an extensive cocktail menu from General Manager, Pete Ehemann, and creative consultant, Petr Dvoracek.
Making use of its upstairs neighbour, Cove Deli delivers food via a dumbwaiter, showcasing cheeses, Mediterranean-cured meats and antipasto. Other small bites, such as duck terrine and empanadas, come from a small-scale bar kitchen.
The space boasts 75 seats of largely ornate and vintage furnishings and rich leather banquettes paired to dark, moody lighting- a heady contrast to the whitewashed bodega upstairs, both venues designed by AZB Creative.
Offers Clifton: “I wanted to bring to life the physical journey of a speakeasy while also paying homage to the bygone era of the Manly area.”
Sure, we’ll drink to that.
The Cumberland – Photo: Dan Gosse
Subscribe to the Newsletter
Recommended for you
A Treasure Trove of Rare Cognac Was Just Salvaged From a 1917 Shipwreck
Now that’s a bounty.
November 15, 2019
Inside Culinary Masters Sydney
Step inside our peerless, and debut, Culinary Masters dinner for 2019 – an exclusive chance to indulge the inventive skill and passion of young chef Josh Niland.
November 14, 2019
You may also like.
The New Nomad
A “brighter version of home” as the famed Sydney diner takes over Longrain’s old digs.
31/10/2019
This One Is For All The Legent’s In The Bar
Two of the oldest whisk(e)y distilleries in America and Japan work together to do something very untraditional.
By Demi Dalton
24/10/2019
How This Team of All-Female Chefs Is Leading a Culinary Revolution in Japan
The revered art of kaiseki has long been a man’s world. The chefs at Tsurutokame want to change that.
24/10/2019
Culinary Masters 2019 – You’re Invited
We’re releasing a select number of tickets to our exclusive dinner series – celebrating the best young chefs in the country.
By Robb Report
22/10/2019
