After much ado and some general devastation over the forced closure of the Old Manly Boatshed, Manly’s replacement late-night music and socialising venue has emerged. The Gopher opens at 5pm today Friday, May 15, stepping into the shoes of an institution that hosted 38 years of live entertainment before it was forced to shut its doors in September last year. The new Irish-inspired basement bar is being executed by Matt Clifton, the same creative mind behind Manly’s speak-easy Cumberland (though this has since been sold on). There's also an operational cross over with the Saga Group, who are linked with other Manly venues Henry G's, Donnys, and In Situ, plus a mix of private investors. Located below street level at 40 Manly Corso, The Gopher follows the...