Manly Lane Live, the pop-up bar and beer garden outside the quadrangle at Manly Library, has secured permission to continue operating for the next three years. Refurbishments will also be underway to increase patronage from 12 to more than 100 patrons.
Restaurateur Matt Clifton, the man who launched Manly Lane Live in the summer of 2021 with just 12 seats, said that this initiative was meant to boost the local economy post-COVID as the venue will collaborate with heaps of eateries. It has transformed a formerly underutilized public space into a dining precinct.
In line with its expansion to 100 seats, the site’s development application (DA2021/2065) proposed to upgrade facilities with more lights, furniture and waste management, including portable toilets. Custom-made caravan-style bars will also be fitted into the site.
Mr Clifton, who heads the Experience Manly tourism group as well, said that the venue will not encroach on other businesses in the area, amidst complaints from the tenants of the neighbouring commercial buildings. He acknowledged that Market Lane is a busy commercial district so live music performances will be played after work (6:00 p.m) so as not to distract office spaces.
Eateries that join the pop-up will open beginning 4:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. However, during breakfast or lunch, Mr Clifton said that people are still welcome to sit or lounge at the venue, thus becoming an urban park with options for eating and drinking.
Meanwhile, the Northern Beaches Council does not see any issues with the outdoor pop-up bar on the Manly Town Centre Conservation Area.
“The proposal seeks consent for use of space within Market Lane to continue a temporary pop up bar. The proposal includes some physical works such as new fencing, seating, trees, pergolas, stage and a caravan bar.
“Given the small-scale nature of the physical works it is considered to not impact upon the heritage items or the conservation area or their significance. Heritage also raises no objections to the use of the space as a bar. Therefore Heritage raises no objections and requires no conditions.”
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