I keep the sidebar closed as this huge text column is distracting.
I would like the menu icon to be formed on the right side with search and user, like before.
And a pop-up menu, LOL. 
My use of Discourse forums is:
- Homepage = Latest
- Many muted tags, categories and users
- I only use:
- This Latest topic list
- The topmost and used-to-be-leftmost logo button to go back to Latest, when needed