The Crows Nest Hotel, affectionately known as ‘The Crowie’ to locals of the North Shore watering hole, has revealed its new look after undergoing a $1.6 million internal renovation. The much-loved pub in the Sydney suburb of Crows Nest has been operating whilst the upgrades have been taking place since late last year with the major project now complete for guests to enjoy.

The Crows Nest Hotel’s fresh feel is designed to continue the venue’s legacy of live music and late-night entertainment with a revitalised roster of live DJs and bands across the weekends.

The hotel will also cater for the daylight and dinner hours with a new menu of elevated pub fare with a Mediterranean twist and a dedicated dining room perfect for a mid-week meal or group occasion.

As part of the renovations, the ground floor has been transformed to feature the venue’s first-ever dedicated dining room. The former ‘One Willoughby’ events space has been converted into a public bar to host casual drinks and a curated dining menu while also equipped with screens to catch live sporting matches.

The Lounge Bar will now be called the Main Bar and will be The Crows Nest Hotel’s home for live entertainment with a large stage and screen for live music every weekend and its regular events such as trivia and drag bingo. The Rooftop has also been given an upgrade and is now transformed into the perfect spot across any day of the week with a DJ booth and dining space.

“The Crows Nest Hotel has always been the place to go on the North Shore for a night out with mates with great music and vibes – everyone has a memory here!” says Venue Manager, Bronte Williams. “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.”

Sydney-based architect Paul Kelly Design designed the venue’s Gaming Room, while the remainder of the upgrades were by leading pub and hospitality designers Cayas + Ward Architects who are behind the Group’s renovations of the Newmarket Hotel, The Forest Hotel and Brisbane’s The Manly Hotel.

The Crows Nest Hotel’s new menu boasts levelled-up pub classics such as burgers and chicken parmigiana alongside dishes inspired by the Mediterranean such as souvlaki plates, slow-cooked lamb shoulder with lemon potatoes and fresh Greek salad. Star ingredients across the menu are sourced from local NSW suppliers including seafood from Poulos Bros and meat and steaks from Andrews Meats Industries.

Leading the kitchen team are Head Chef Nathaniel (Nico) Madrangca (ex-Kirribilli Hotel, Rey’s Place, Bill & Toni’s) and Sous Chefs Claudette Cabaron and Pablo Martinez. The new menu will be available in the dining room, main bar and rooftop while the public bar will serve a considered version of the menu championing bar snacks.

“The Crows Nest Hotel’s new food menu is taking the classic pub dishes we know and love and elevating them with stellar local produce,” continues Williams. “You’ll also find some fun new additions on the menu such as a whole roasted lamb shoulder and snacks like dips and olives designed to encourage sharing and group dining.”

Highlights on the menu include a whole lamb shoulder for sharing with lemon roast potatoes and pita; a steak sandwich with salsa verde and caramelised onion; chicken and lamb souvlaki plates with pita and garnishes; and all the pub classics such as burgers, chicken parmigiana, and chicken wings.

The Crows Nest Hotel’s reputation for a great steak continues too with options for a 250g Black Angus Rump or 400g Riverina Op Rib served with lemon roasted potatoes and choice of sauce.

Weekly specials will also continue with $18 schnitzels on Tuesdays, 50c wings on Thursdays and the popular ‘Thursday is the New Friday’ drink offer.

At the bar, the cocktail menu features fresh, vibrant twists on the classics including a burnt pineapple and jalapeño margarita; mandarin mojito; limoncello long island iced tea; and a blood orange and cranberry cosmo. While the venue’s wine list will feature all the familiar favourites while expanding with some pet nats and chilled reds for those wine aficionados looking to explore. The drinks offering has been designed by Asher Hagan, Assistant Manager and Troy Landers, National Destination Venue Lead for ALH.

Fans of The Crowie’s live entertainment offering will not be disappointed, with Friday nights dedicated to live bands in the Main Bar from 9pm-12am with DJs following until 3am. The Rooftop will have a line-up of DJs from 5pm to midnight, spanning funk, disco, house and commercial radio edits. Saturday nights at the venue – now called Crowie After Dark Saturdays – will continue to host DJs in the Main Bar from 11pm until close, and The Rooftop kicking off the DJs from 7pm with a mix of funk, disco and R&B.

The Crows Nest Hotel is open daily until late and is located at 1 Willoughby Road, Crows Nest, New South Wales.