Ask any North Shore local where they were last Friday night, and chances are they’ll say: “At The Crowie, of course.” Crows Nest Hotel—known far and wide as The Crowie—has always had a bit of mongrel charm. And after a cracking $1.6 million spruce-up, the grand old pub isn’t just back. It’s swaggering.
Now, before the cynics moan about developers gutting heritage haunts and replacing them with sterile chrome boxes and QR-code menus, let me assure you—this isn’t that. Crowie’s soul hasn’t been sold off to the highest bidder. If anything, it’s been polished, tuned up, and handed back to the punters with a knowing wink and a cold pint.
A New Shine, Same Old Heart
The hotel’s facelift began late last year, though regulars have been sipping their schooners. That’s right—renovations happened while the place stayed open. Tradies jackhammered daily; DJs spun house beats by night—a Crowie solution.
The main stage of the transformation? The entire ground floor. And it’s a proper doozy. Gone is the old events space known as One Willoughby—it’s now a lively public bar with TVs showing sport, a tight drinks list, and food that straddles the line between elevated and unapologetically pub.
And the real headline act? A first-ever dining room. Yes, The Crowie’s gone fancy—but not pretentious. It’s warm lighting, sturdy wood finishes, and the occasional high-decibel laugh over a plate of lemon potatoes—where you could meet your in-laws and footy mates.
The Menu’s Had a Mediterranean Holiday
The kitchen has more than just a fresh coat of paint. It’s had a culinary epiphany.
Head Chef Nathaniel “Nico” Madrangca leads the charge, whose resume includes Kirribilli Hotel and Bill & Toni’s (where you’re practically knighted in marinara). Alongside Sous Chefs Claudette Cabaron and Pablo Martinez, the trio has whipped up a crowd-pleasing and surprisingly continental menu.
Your pub stalwarts are still here—burgers, schnittys, parmies, the food that makes a bloke feel hugged. But now they share the page with lamb souvlaki plates, whole slow-cooked shoulders served with lemony spuds, and fresh Greek salads that might even coax your mate into eating something green.
Even the bar snacks are wearing their Sunday best. Dips, olives, and chargrilled pita are designed for sharing, though you won’t want to.
Best of all, the produce is local: Poulos Bros. seafood and Andrews Meats Industries meat. No imports are pretending to be wagyu here.
Still Partying Like It’s 1999
Ah, yes, the entertainment. Because what’s The Crowie without a soundtrack? Venue Manager Bronte Williams nails it:
“Everyone’s got a memory here. We’re keeping the dancefloors packed until 6am—but also making it a spot for a proper pub feed any day of the week.”
The Lounge Bar has had a name change—now fittingly called the Main Bar—and it’s the beating heart of the venue’s live music program. There’s a proper stage now, screens for the die-hards, and the return of trivia nights and drag bingo (which outperforms most stand-up comedy nights).
Meanwhile, the Rooftop has had a glow-up of its own. There’s a full DJ booth, shaded dining nooks, and music that drifts somewhere between disco, funk, house and radio-friendly bangers. DJs are on deck Friday and Saturday nights, pumping from sundown till the neighbours start squinting at their watches.
A Pint of the Past, a Dash of the Future
Behind the revamped drinks list are assistant manager Asher Hagan and ALH’s National Destination Venue Lead, Troy Landers, who’ve been sipping creatively.
Think burnt pineapple, jalapeño margaritas, blood orange cosmos, and a mandarin mojito that tastes like summer on tap. For the purists, don’t worry—the wine list still covers the usual favourites, but now with some cheeky pet nats and chilled reds for the adventurous.
And yes, for those who time their lives around drink specials: Tuesday still means $18 schnitties, Thursday still means 50c wings, and “Thursday is the New Friday” still rings true if you’re brave enough.
More Than a Pub—It’s a Community Landmark
There’s something old-school and noble about a pub that knows what it is—and who it’s for. The Crowie hasn’t tried to outdo itself or morph into a glitzy monstrosity. It’s leaned into its legacy and said, “We’re still here, mate. Just a bit shinier.”
For those who’ve toasted engagements here, lamented breakups at the bar, or stumbled in after work for “just one,” this renovation is a reaffirmation—not a reinvention.
So next time you find yourself on Willoughby Road, don’t just walk by. Drop in. Order the lamb shoulder. Chase it with a pint and a laugh. Because The Crowie, bless its freshly painted walls, is still exactly where it belongs—in the heart of the North Shore, and a stone’s throw from your best night out.
📍 The Crows Nest Hotel is open daily till late at 1 Willoughby Road, Crows Nest, NSW.
Visit www.crowsnesthotel.com.au for bookings and events.
