The Cumberland
Pro4.8 stars from 373 Google reviews
|Highlights
- Whole-venue hire of a 75-seat basement bar
- Entry through a fridge door inside a small deli
- Private cocktail classes for groups of six or more
About The Cumberland
The Cumberland is a basement cocktail bar at 17-19 Central Avenue, Manly, and you get in through what looks like a fridge door inside a small bodega-style deli. The name comes from the old County of Cumberland, which the parish around Manly Cove once belonged to, and the bar leans Spanish in its food and a little historic in its drinks list. Downstairs is a single intimate room seating 75. A leather banquette runs around the walls, and the fit-out mixes hand-cut sandstone, reclaimed timber, marble benchtops and brass and copper details, lit mostly by candles on small round tables. The bar holds more than 250 whiskies alongside natural wine and craft beer, and its cocktail list splits between prohibition-era classics, drinks named for old Sydney counties and a section built on locally foraged ingredients. There are three ways to bring a group. Standard group bookings suit parties that want a reserved spot on a normal trading night. Exclusive hire gives you the whole bar, and the venue pitches it at birthdays, hens and bucks nights and work events. Cocktail classes give a minimum of six people the venue to themselves for two hours, with a drink on arrival, lessons on two house cocktails and share plates, at $80 per person. Food comes from the deli menu of charcuterie and cheese boards, tapas and oysters. A 10% service fee applies to bookings of more than ten, and nobody under 18 can enter.
Inclusions & amenities
Venue type
Budget
Food & drinks
Features
Pricing
Food
Beverages
Availability
Frequently asked questions
Can we hire The Cumberland exclusively?
Yes. The whole bar can be booked for private events such as birthdays, hens and bucks parties and work functions. Send an enquiry through the functions form or email the bookings team to discuss dates.
How many people does the venue hold?
The Cumberland is a 75-seat room, so it suits groups up to about that size.
How do the cocktail classes work?
Classes last two hours with the venue to yourselves, need at least six people and cost $80 per person. You get a welcome cocktail, learn to make two of the bar's cocktails and share plates of food. Sessions run 3pm to 5pm Thursday to Saturday and 2pm to 4pm on Sunday.
Are there extra charges for groups?
A 10% service fee is added to bookings of more than ten people, and Sunday and public holiday surcharges also apply.
Can under-18s attend?
No. Minors are legally not allowed inside, so every guest must be 18 or over.
Where we are
Suitable occasions
Michael S
2 months ago
What a great place. Second time my wife and I have been, this time we brought some friends and we didn't want to leave after our 2 hr slot was up. The prawn cocktails were delicious as was the charcuterie platter. The dr…
Aldo Aiello
3 months ago
This place is awesome! This was the second time we've been there and brought some friends with us . Everything was just perfect, the music, the vibe the beautiful structure of the bar, but more then everything is the sta…
Luke Skelton
6 months ago
One of the best options for a date night or with a few friends. Amazing cocktails, great options for wines and insane charcuterie boards. Love this place and can't wait to come back.
Kara Vinogradov
7 months ago
My husband and I came for pre dinner drinks and had an absolutely wonderful time. The venue was super cool, the service was impeccable and our host was very knowledgeable! The vodka martini’s were on point, their oysters…
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