Australia’s biggest publican has unveiled a completed $1.6 million internal renovation, ushering a new look and revised offerings at its Crows Nest Hotel, in Sydney’s north.
The major works mark almost a decade since Australian Leisure & Hospitality (ALH) re-opened the flagship hotel affectionately known as ‘The Crowie’, in 2016, when a multi-million-dollar overhaul brought a new look and a new rooftop terrace, providing guests panoramic views of the surrounding lower north shore.
This time around the work has been mostly on interiors and menus. Beginning late 2024, the pub has continued to operate during the upgrades.
The Lounge Bar has been renamed the Main Bar, and is the hotel’s home for live entertainment. A large stage and screen will provide for live music every weekend, and regular events, such as trivia and drag bingo.
What was the One Willoughby events space has been transformed into a public bar, with screens for live sport, while the Rooftop has also been upgraded, boasting its own DJ booth and dining space.
And the heritage-listed landmark pub welcomes its first-ever dedicated dining room, serving a new menu of “elevated pub fare with a Mediterranean twist” under head chef Nathaniel (Nico) Madrangca, formerly of the Kirribilli Hotel, Rey’s Place and Bill & Toni’s.
On offer are classics such as burgers and chicken parmigiana, and highlights including a whole lamb shoulder for sharing. These sit alongside dishes inspired by the Mediterranean, such as chicken and lamb souvlaki plates.
The new menu will be available in the dining room, main bar and rooftop while the public bar will serve a pared-back line-up championing bar snacks.
Weekly specials will continue, on Tuesday plating up $18 schnitzels, on Thursdays racking 50c wings – and the popular ‘Thursday is the New Friday’ drink offer.
A fresh cocktail menu lists modern and vibrant twists on classics, seen in the burnt pineapple and jalapeño margarita, mandarin mojito, limoncello long island iced tea, and a Cosmo made from blood orange and cranberry.
The redesign is a product of the acclaimed Paul Kelly Design, and Cayas + Ward Architects, which is the company behind ALH’s renovations at the Newmarket Hotel, Forest Hotel and Manly Hotel in Brisbane.
A major goal of the redesign is to sustain the hotel’s reputation for late-night entertainment, the fresh look accompanied by a revitalised roster of DJs and performers.
Friday nights are dedicated to live bands in the Main Bar, from 9pm-midnight, before DJs take over until 3am, while the Rooftop will spin DJs from 5pm to midnight.
Saturday nights – now known as ‘Crowie After Dark Saturdays’ – will continue to host DJs in the Main Bar, from 11pm until close, as they play on the Rooftop from 7pm.
“We are still continuing that legacy of nightlife where you can dance until 6 am, but also making it a spot for a great pub feed any day of the week with a fresh menu and dining room,” says Bronte Williams, venue manager.
