Restaurant

The Cumberland

17/19 Central Ave, Manly NSW 2095, Australia

Recommended by 77 people

Updated

Find The Cumberland

17/19 Central Ave, Manly NSW 2095, Australia

Directions ↗
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM Thursday: 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM Friday: 5:00 PM – 1:00 AM Saturday: 5:00 PM – 1:00 AM Sunday: 4:00 – 10:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

Book Now

About The Cumberland

Slip past the counter at Cove Deli—straight through a vintage cool-room fridge door—into a dim, moody speakeasy hidden beneath Manly. Guests head underground for date-night martinis and tailored whisky drams, leaving beachside bustle behind. Bartenders like Pete steer you through more than 250 bottles and drinks built with native botanicals. Order a plate of freshly shucked oysters or a mixed charcuterie board with sliced chorizo while live jazz hums in a room deliberately free of screens.

  • Concealed Deli Entrance: Access this subterranean prohibition-style bar through a vintage deli fridge door and down a spiral staircase.
  • Curated Whiskies & Cocktails: Bartenders tailor spirit pours and craft cocktails from a backbar holding over 250 whiskies.
  • Charcuterie & Raw Bar: Sip drinks alongside freshly shucked oysters, prawn cocktails, chorizo, and generous charcuterie platters.
  • Live Jazz & No TVs: Enjoy live acoustic jazz sets in a warm, screen-free basement retreat.

What's On at The Cumberland

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose The Cumberland

Why guests choose The Cumberland for secluded evenings, tailored cocktails, and speakeasy discovery

  • Hidden Vintage Deli Portal

    Disguised behind an active vintage deli shop, guests enter through a cool room fridge door and descend a spiral staircase into an intimate basement hideaway.

    Entry was through a little deli, then down a spiral staircase. Felt very prohibition-esque.

    G M
  • Theatrical Speakeasy Discovery

    The transition from a bustling shopfront down into a moody subterranean room delivers genuine secrecy and theatrical discovery.

    awesome little shop setup for the entrance, with a bit of mystery, secrecy to start up the experience. Running down the stairs a brand new world opens up

    Gábor Gergely
  • Bustling Streetscape Escape

    A screen-free, dimly lit underground room provides a secluded, warm sanctuary away from the busy Manly beach precinct.

    The Cumberland is the perfect place to sit down, relax and unwind and escape the hustle and bustle that is Manly.

    Mark Powell
  • Intimate Setting for Dates and Pre-Dinner Drinks

    Low lighting, intimate seating, and charcuterie boards make it a seamless retreat for pre-dinner drinks and date nights.

    The speakeasy vibe is sexy. A good spot for a date with low lighting and jazz in the background.

    J B
  • Expert Spirits & Whisky Navigation

    Bartenders take time to explain complex flavour profiles and steer guests toward exceptional whisky and cocktail choices tailored to their palate.

    Pete was outstanding behind the bar - friendly, passionate, and incredibly knowledgeable about whisky. He gave excellent recommendations for Islay whiskies

    falsegrip
  • Tailored Beverage Curation

    Thoughtful guidance from floor and bar staff ensures guests find exactly what matches their tastes across original cocktails and non-alcoholic options.

    they know each detail about the drinks and they can match your preferences, just in case you don't know which one to choose.

    Victor Lopes

Beyond the menu

Unexpected hospitality touches and immersive details that define The Cumberland experience

  • Working Deli Cool-Room Entry

    Guests enter through Cove Deli, an operational vintage deli where staff in butcher uniforms open a concealed cool room fridge door leading down a spiral staircase into the basement bar.

  • Screen-Free Live Jazz Evenings

    Live jazz performances from acoustic trios and guest musicians set a prohibition-era tempo in a deliberately television-free space designed for uninterrupted conversation.

  • Tailored Spirit and Whisky Guidance

    Bartenders actively guide guests through niche spirit selections and bespoke tastings, including Islay whisky flavour profiles and customized cocktail suggestions.

  • Craft Zero-Proof Cocktail Pairings

    Thoughtfully developed craft non-alcoholic cocktails, such as the Wild Fennel Calling, offer depth and complexity for patrons seeking elevated zero-proof drinks.

Before you head over

Key advice on finding the hidden entrance, booking your seating slot, and catching live music.

  • Spot the Deli Entry

    Look for The Cove Deli facade on Central Avenue; you gain entry through the vintage fridge door before descending the spiral staircase.

  • Book Ahead for Seating

    The venue operates with designated seating slots and books out quickly, so reserve in advance if you want to stay beyond a brief pre-dinner drink.

  • Plan for Live Jazz Nights

    If you want to pair live acoustic jazz with your drinks in a TV-free setting, aim to visit on Thursday nights.

Explore more places in Sydney

Find familiar flavours, neighbourhood favourites and somewhere new in Sydney.

Browse all Sydney venues