The Old Manly Boatshed 'Forced To Close Its Doors'

The Sydney-based music venue and pub, The Old Manly Boatshed, will be closing its doors next month.

The venue will close “due to circumstances beyond our control.” The sad news comes after the institution has provided live music, entertainment and fed the masses for 38 years.

Situated between the Manly Wharf ferry stop and Manly Beach on The Corso strip (per news.com.au), the venue was founded in 1987 by Grant McMinn and Goff Burgess and has since become a beloved Manly institution.

The Old Manly Boatshed had humble beginnings as a restaurant, bar, and live music venue and has grown into the country’s “longest-running live music and comedy venue.”

In a statement, Burgess shared: “Due to circumstances beyond our control, it is with deep sadness and regret that after 38 years of continuous live entertainment, music, dancing, comedy, restaurant and bar, our beloved venue is being forced to close its doors.”

Adding that the closure comes as a shock and that it will be challenging to imagine Manly without the venue, Burgess highlighted the legacy of The Old Manly Boatshed.

“For generations, it has become more than just a venue; it has been a piece of Manly’s history,” the statement continued.

“To every staff member, past and present – bartenders, techs, chefs, cleaners, security, front of house, behind the scenes, Thank you. To every performer, band, local punter and overseas visitor, each passionate supporter, I say thank you. You filled this place with song, laughter and magic, and helped shape the Boaty into what it is.”

Burgess and the Old Manly Boatshed team concluded, “Please come down and join us, before the final curtain is drawn in mid-September, to celebrate together.

“Let’s mark the end of an era, with unforgettable nights of music, laughter, and friendship that made The Boaty what it has always been. We will go out the way we always have with good music, great times and plenty of laughter, and carry The Boaty’s spirit into the next chapter of Manly’s story.

“With gratitude for every memory we’ve shared,

“Goff and crew.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Old Manly Boatshed (@theoldmanlyboatshed)