This summer’s ultimate harbourside destination
Manly Wharf is set to become one of Sydney’s most covetable dining and entertainment precincts this summer with the relaunch of a new look Wharf Bar after an extensive renovation. Reopening with an elevated pub-food offering and huge summer entertainment line-up, Wharf Bar will also be home to an exciting new Mediterranean-inspired restaurant and cocktail bar, Bar Tropic, led by Executive Chef Francois Poulard.
Owner Ben May of May Hotels said, “We have been very busy over the last few months working on our re-invention of Wharf Bar to create a world-class destination for Manly. We are so excited about the evolution of the venue and the incredible dining, drinking and entertainment experiences we have in store. We can’t wait to have everyone back in and to bring big energy back to the wharf, it will be the place to be this summer”.
Long a local staple and destination for Sydneysiders all over, the reinvigorated venue will elevate the already vibrant surf culture, beachside living and wharf-side dining precinct, giving the Northern Beaches community a new Wharf Bar that is bigger and better than ever. The new venue concept takes cues from the popularity of its sister venue on the Gold Coast, Burleigh Pavilion, and its restaurant, The Tropic – a hot spot for local tastemakers, the surfing community, and a party destination for revellers around Australia.
The fresh new look by design studio Alexander & Co allows for lots of movement and flow with a mix of coastal and industrial finishes, pops of warm colour, white painted steel and concrete blocks, exposed concrete floors, and a touch of Palm Springs. The fit-out takes full advantage of the location and the different styles of experiences guests will be after, whether you’re popping in for a cold beer and a wood-fired pizza after the beach in the main bar, stopping by for a sunset cocktail and freshly shucked oysters out on Jetty Bar, or a long, rosé lunch with close friends in Bar Tropic.
The main bar is the perfect destination for those looking for a great feed with epic water views or a group get-together over drinks on the sun-soaked terrace that wraps around the venue. The elevated pub-food menu designed by Poulard has all the crowd favourites from fresh tiger prawns on ice, grass-fed rump steak, fish and chips, burgers, fish tacos and a kingfish poke bowl. The kitchen team will be hand-stretching dough in front of guests, creating flavour-packed pizzas to go straight into the new exposed wood-fired pizza oven.
Out on the wharf is Jetty Bar, one of the most popular spots over the water in Sydney to watch the ferries glide in and settle in with a bunch of mates for a long afternoon of fun in the sun.
Bar Tropic will officially open later this week with Executive Chef Francois Poulard – who most recently led the charge at Woollahra’s Chiswick restaurant – at the helm. The Mediterranean-inspired menu will have a strong seafood focus made for the idyllic harbourside location and designed for leisurely feasting and playful and memorable dining experiences. The restaurant is centered around the large open kitchen, allowing diners in both Bar Tropic and the main bar a front row seat to Poulard and his team at work.
Guests can grab a spot at one of the high terrazzo tables inside or a large table with friends on the new expansive wharf-side deck overlooking the glistening harbour water and start with wood-fired bread and antipasto like burrata, taramasalata, Olasagasti anchovies, Padrón peppers, and salami picante. Add some freshly shucked oysters or a prawn cocktail on ice to the mix, or small plates like lightly fried school prawns, a whiting sando, grilled scallops, and beef tartare.
Big ticket items include the cold seafood platter with spanner crab salad, scallop ceviche, chilled tiger prawns, kingfish crudo, freshly shucked oysters and wood-fired flatbread; Eastern rock lobster frites; and a 1.2kg tomahawk steak frites.
The restaurant will also be home to an exclusive 30-person, light-filled private dining room that spills out onto the deck outside, unlike any other space for group bookings and parties on the Northern Beaches.
The grand timber, brass and cork bar backlit with a glowing patterned glass block wall is the perfect spot to pull up one of the coloured bar stools in the afternoon and escape over a wine and snack. The wine list complements the beautiful Mediterranean flavours with light, fresh drops – a mix of old-world classics and talented Australian winemakers using international varietals with a modern twist.
The cocktails are fresh and simple and are inspired by flavours and cities around the Mediterranean. Think twists on classics and easy sipping cocktails that you want to drink when the sun is shining. The ‘Amalfi’ inspired by limoncello of Italy; the ‘Saint Maxime’ that will take you on that trip you’ve been dying to take to the south of France; and the ‘Spiced Pineapple Margarita’, perfect for those scorching hot summer days.
Wharf Bar is set for a massive summer with a jam-packed entertainment line-up including the return of Sunday Sessions in a big way. DJs will bring the party vibe every Friday and Saturday night and there will be live music and acoustic sets during the week with a big focus on supporting local Northern Beaches talent. New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day parties with big headline acts will be announced soon.
Wharf Bar
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Mon to Fri: 11.30am–12am, Sat: 11am–1am, Sun: 11am–12am
Bar Tropic
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Wed to Sun: 12pm–12am
Images: Steven Woodburn