The Best Bars in Manly for a Guaranteed Good Time by the Beach

After a long day in the waves – or you know, doing absolutely nothing but sunning yourself on Manly beach – a hearty meal with a bevvy (or two) is more than deserved.

With a bar scene as buzzy as it is diverse, you'll find everything from rooftop bars reigning over the Esplanade to hidden cocktail dens tucked off The Corso. So, dust the sand off your feet and quench your thirst – these are the bars in Manly you need to know about. 

The Cumberland 

If you're after something a little different, The Cumberland is your spot. Tucked behind a fridge door in an unassuming laneway, this venue brings an underground speakeasy to the heart of Manly - with a Spanish twist!

The stylish basement eatery has a selection of over 250 whiskies, natural wine, craft beer and an extensive cocktail menu, including prohibition classics, tipples inspired by original counties from Sydney as well as a section dedicated to ingredients that have been locally foraged and found. As for bites, you can graze from their tapas menu or their deli and cheese plates. 

17/19 Central Avenue, Manly 

Hugos

A Manly institution, a spritz at Hugos is a must. Situated smack bang on the wharf and overlooking the harbour-side of town, you can watch the sun set as you sip on your margarita and tuck into your pizza. A favourite among local and international celebrities alike, the atmosphere and buzz at Hugos - especially on a stunning summer's day - is electric. The menu is brimming with fresh, Italian cuisine (Sydney rock oysters, burrata, king prawns) that's perfect for sharing. 

Manly Wharf, 1 East Esplanade

Manly Pavillion 

When it comes to dazzling locations, it doesn't get better than this heritage-listed venue, which is run by The Boathouse Group. The interiors have been decked out in the trademark Boathouse style - think bright and bold wallpaper, shell mirrors, floating glass buoys, fresh flowers galore and crab baskets - which creates an uplifting coastal, beach-like atmosphere. While the inside is a visual feast for the eyes, the outside terrace is just as special thanks to its magical views of Manly Harbour. Go on a Sunday for a sundowner and enjoy their weekly live music from 4pm until 7pm. 

West Esplanade, Manly 

Belgrave Cartel

A cafe by day and a restaurant by night, Belgrave Cartel is well known for its tasty cocktail menu. We're big fans of their Belgrave Espresso Martini with vodka, Kahlùa, Frangelico and freshly brewed espresso and their Dragon Fire with chilli-infused vodka, lychee liquor, lychee syrup, citrus and aqua faba. Pick your poison and cosy up to your date or mate by their candle-lit tables. 

6 Belgrave Street, Manly

InSitu

Running for over 20 years, InSitu is one of the oldest small cocktail bars in Manly and a guaranteed good time. This Manly bar will keep you right smack in the middle of everything cool happening right now or “in situ.” You’ll have a grand time with live music, al fresco dining, beautifully crafted dishes and delicious cocktails aplenty.

1/18 Sydney Road, Manly

Wharf Bar

Known as 'Wharfie' among locals, this is the kind of place you roll into straight from the beach. While the main bar offers frothy fun, the jetty bar is prime real estate, and our favourite spot to sip on an Aperol and soak up the harbour views. If you’re hungry, head inside to feast on salads, burgers and fresh seafood, and then grab a bevvy at the new Tropic’s Retro Bar. Wherever you choose to relax at the Wharf Bar, you’re bound to have gorgeous views of the harbour.

East Esplanade, Manly

The Hold

The Hold’s rustic, nautically themed bar serves up inventive drinks with top-quality pub grub. So throw yourself into their cocktail menu, before digging into their dedicated Vegan burger menu that uses a patty made of a housemade blend of natural plant proteins. Carnivores, you're well looked after too with their regular burgers with grass-fed Angus beef.

24 Sydney Road, Manly

Donny's Bar

Cuisine, cocktails and live music are high on the agenda at this chic, warehouse-inspired bar in Manly. Donny's Bar brings a touch of New York to the beaches with its loft-style fit-out. Serving up Asian-influenced share plates, Donny's offer great weekly specials and a daily happy hour between 5pm and 7pm. Live music by some of Sydney’s most talented artists is also a mainstay at Donny’s, making it the perfect spot to enjoy the company of your dear and near.

7 Market Place, Manly

Hotel Steyne

Manly’s beachfront pub The Steyne is the place to be. Settle in with a vino or two, and a few slices of some of the best pizza in Manly. Rally your friends and catch up over drinks and a bite in this historic space. Our best tip for a great time? Head upstairs to the rooftop bar and soak up one of the best views in town.

75 The Corso, Manly

4 Pines Brewpub Manly

This well-established microbrewery is all about good beer, good food and genuine, down-to-earth service. Since opening its doors in 2008, 4 Pines has grown from a small microbrewery to a brewpub, restaurant and truck bar. Overlooking Manly Cove, this local hangout is a destination within itself, offering delicious home-fermented brews and quality pub fare.

29/43-45 East Esplanade, Manly

Hemingway's

A local favourite for dinner and drinks, Hemingway’s is a relaxed, vintage-inspired bar offering plenty of snacks and hearty meals for anyone arriving hungry. This popular waterside hangout takes inspiration from its name, with book-lined walls and repurposed gin bottles that double up as quirky water jugs. 

48 North Steyne, Manly

55 North Bar

Manly’s newest coastal offering, 55 North Bar, features an eclectic, elegant and light-filled cocktail lounge that befits its beachfront location—right in the revamped Manly Pacific Hotel. Complementing the bar’s warm tonal patterns, Venetian-style underwater wall mural, and a trio of stunning alcoves, is their well-curated menu. Start with their bespoke and multi-sensory cocktails and work your way to their library of rare spirits as you munch on their caviar tasters. This Luchetti Krelle-designed space also overlooks one of Sydney’s most iconic beaches, making it a must-visit bar when you’re in Manly.

55 North Steyne, Manly

Banco Bar

Find the neon bottle and it’ll lead you to one of Manly’s best hidden gems. Tucked away from the bustling beachfront, Banco is a 32-seater bar with a cosy ambience that fits the bill for a romantic date or a casual hang with mates. What steals the show, though, is their inventive cocktails as well as their expansive natural wine list that champions Aussie and European producers. Oh, and don’t miss out on their hearty British food spun with Aussie flair. In our opinion, their lobster rolls and Banco’s hand-cut potato chips pair best with their vino and cocktails.

17b Whistler Street, Manly 

Little Pearl

If you’re after bold cocktails, smooth-drinking wines or thirst-quenching beers while enjoying gorgeous views of Manly Beach, then round up your friends and head over to Little Pearl. While you can easily enjoy their spritzes, don’t sleep on their hawker-style street food and light bites that are bursting with delicious Asian flavours that pair well with their cocktails. Little Pearl is your ultimate beachside bliss whenever you’re in Manly—you’re guaranteed a good time with their live entertainment and enticing bottomless cocktails that won’t leave you cashed out.

8/13 South Steyne, Manly 

Want to keep exploring Manly? Hey, we don't blame you. The place is paradise! Take a look at our round-up of the best cafes in Manly. Then enjoy our deep dive into the best restaurants in Manly.