End of an era as The Old Manly Boatshed prepares to close after 38 years
Sydney’s live music scene is set to lose one of its most iconic pubs, with The Old Manly Boatshed preparing to shut its doors in mid-September after nearly four decades.
Owner Goff Burgess confirmed the closure last week, marking the end of a 38-year run for the venue affectionately known as “The Boaty.”
“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,” Burgess said.
Located between Manly Wharf and Manly Beach on The Corso, the venue has been a fixture for generations of locals and visitors alike.
“From its beginnings as a restaurant, bar and live music venue on Darley Road, to the digging of the tunnel to create what we know today, the Old Manly Boatshed has grown into Australia’s longest-running live music and comedy venue,” Burgess said.
The Boaty’s basement stage has seen it all – from karaoke nights to breakthrough gigs.
“The Boaty has echoed with the sounds of laughter and live comedy, the pulse of live music, the voices of would-be entertainers and live band karaoke, plus the stories of thousands who have found their way through these porthole doors and navigated their way down the iconic stairway into the beating heart of entertainment in Manly.”
News of the closure has sparked an outpouring of emotion from fans online. “The Boatshed is such a Manly institution, it’s so sad to see it go,” one wrote. Another commented: “One of the only remaining venues that had a soul and has not been gentrified. That’s why we all loved it. Such a leveller and patrons from all ages.”
Others highlighted the venue’s role in nurturing musicians. “Throughout the 38 years, the Boatshed has been a constant supporter of breaking bands and upcoming musicians,” a supporter noted. “Many of Australia’s finest musicians have graced the Boatshed stage and for many starting out, Goff and the Boatshed’s support was integral to them being able to make a career of it all.”
The Boatshed’s closure follows a broader pattern across Sydney and beyond, where pubs and live venues continue to battle the fallout of Covid and ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
Research by Finder shows that in 2024, nearly a quarter of Australians avoided theatre, while more than a third skipped a concert. Music festivals and comedy shows were also among the cultural outings hardest hit.
For many, though, The Boaty’s departure represents more than just another casualty of tough economic times. As Burgess put it: “To say this is a shock is a total understatement. While it’s hard to imagine Manly without The Boaty, what remains is the legacy we’ve built together.”
Jonathan Jackson, 25th August 2025
