Hidden away in the heart of Manly, Sydney’s newest secret bar will unlock its doors this August.

Guests will need to located an inconspicuous fridge door to access The Cumberland, a 70-seat basement bar inspired the “bygone era of the Manly area”.

The speakeasy will feature an extensive selection of over 250 whiskies that span the globe, plus signature cocktails, organic wines and craft beers.

The secret bar will be available to hire for events, adding a new post-conference or cocktail party venue to the Manly area.

Owner Matt Clifton is the brains behind The Cumberland and is managing director of MJC Group of Companies, which also operates popular Manly venues Donny’s and In Situ.

“I wanted to bring to life the physical journey of a speakeasy while also paying homage to the bygone era of the Manly area,” he said.

“We want to take people on a bar experience with a difference, showing them a snippet of a different time and bringing a sense of surprise and fun back to a night out.”

Named after the Parish of Manly Cove in the County of Cumberland, the bar is a nod to the history of the now Northern Beaches council area on which the venue stands.

Inside, vintage furnishings with decorate the space, including marble bench tops, hand-carved sandstone blocks, original convict clay brickwork, reclaimed timber and a series of antique brass and copper accents.

For the food offering, a vintage, custom dumbwaiter will deliver boards of Spanish cured meats and cheese between floors. Meanwhile, patrons can snack on slow-cooked pork rillettes pâté, baked camembert or a melted raclette plate alongside a smooth glass of whisky.

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