After months of renovations, The Crows Nest Hotel — affectionately dubbed The Crowie by locals — has emerged with a fresh new look, an elevated pub menu, and a renewed dedication to both weeknight dining and 6am dance-floor sessions.
Now complete after a $1.6 million internal makeover, the beloved venue has debuted a new ground-floor dining room, reimagined live music spaces, and a Mediterranean-inspired menu that’s all about share plates, steaks, and sunshine flavours.
While The Crowie’s late-night credentials are still firmly intact (expect DJs until 3am and Saturday nights branded Crowie After Dark), the refresh gives equal love to those earlier-in-the-day hours. Think slow-roasted lamb shoulder shared over long lunches, or a post-work Negroni on the rooftop as a DJ spins funk and disco.
Venue Manager Bronte Williams says the renovation strikes a balance between old-school memories and a new wave of pub culture. “Everyone has a story from The Crowie — it’s always been the place to go on the North Shore. We wanted to keep that magic but also bring in an experience for people who want a great pub feed or relaxed dinner during the week.”
Helming the kitchen is Head Chef Nathaniel “Nico” Madrangca (ex-Kirribilli Hotel, Rey’s Place) alongside Claudette Cabaron and Pablo Martinez. The trio is championing pub classics made better — like a steak sandwich with salsa verde and caramelised onion or a crumbed chicken parmy — alongside dishes with Greek and Levantine roots.
Highlights include the whole roasted lamb shoulder with lemon roast potatoes and pita and chicken & lamb souvlaki plates with pickled garnish and house-made dips. Pub staples like burgers and schnitties hold their ground, and weekday deals remain strong — think $18 schnitty Tuesdays and 50c wings on Thursdays.
The cocktail menu leans bright and bold: a burnt pineapple and jalapeño margarita; mandarin mojito; or limoncello long island iced tea. The wine list blends pub-friendly drops with a few wildcards — pet nats and chilled reds for the more adventurous.
Live entertainment remains central to The Crowie’s DNA. Fridays feature live bands from 9pm to midnight in the Main Bar, followed by DJs til 3am. The Rooftop soundtrack kicks off from 5pm, with sets spanning house, funk, disco and commercial edits. Find out more here.
