Crows Nest Hotel

As trendy upmarket pubs go, The Crows Nest Hotel – affectionately named by locals as ‘The Crowie’ – is pretty much on point in everything you want from a local pub. I went with the missus, and a few mates and their girlfriends last weekend for a Sunday session to catch up after a couple them had moved into a new apartment just up the road.  We bought a round of drinks at the main bar downstairs, and they have a pretty good range of tap beers. Australian stalwarts VB and Carlton Draught hold a position each, along with a healthy smattering of other CUB beers. I was pleasantly surprised to find White Rabbit Pale Ale on tap, and immediately snapped up a pint of it. We moved to the rooftop bar to sit, and found the bar up their identical in their range of beers and beverages. After a couple drinks we ordered some fries and sweet potato wedges to nibble on. They were both pretty darn good. The fries were crunchy and hot, and the sweet potato wedges had melted cheese on them, which went surprisingly well. We later ordered mains after a few more drinks. I went with the lamb shank which was tender, sizeable and very flavoursome. My missus got the beef burger, and a couple my mates went with Parma’s. Everybody appeared to enjoy their meals. I really enjoyed the lamb shank. The only downside to it was I ordered seasonal greens with it, which came in the form of a smattering of peas over the top. My mate who bought me dinner said he did pay a little extra for the greens – so a few peas seemed a bit of a rort. That aside, the lamb and mash were delicious. On weekends at nights I think the Crowie turns into a bit of a nightclub, with a dancefloor and a much more party atmosphere which is cool if you’re a local and you’re looking for an alternative to the City. Given it’s opening hours on weekends are until 5am, and no lockouts it mightn’t be a bad destination for a dinner and a night out with friends. I’m sure I’ll definitely be back at the Crowie before too long, for dinner and inevitable beers with the boys.

As trendy upmarket pubs go, The Crows Nest Hotel – affectionately named by locals as ‘The Crowie’ – is pretty much on point in everything you want from a local pub. I went with the missus, and a few mates and their girlfriends last weekend for a Sunday session to catch up after a couple them had moved into a new apartment just up the road.  We bought a round of drinks at the main bar downstairs, and they have a pretty good range of tap beers. Australian stalwarts VB and Carlton Draught hold a position each, along with a healthy smattering of other CUB beers. I was pleasantly surprised to find White Rabbit Pale Ale on tap, and immediately snapped up a pint of it. We moved to the rooftop bar to sit, and found the bar up their identical in their range of beers and beverages. After a couple drinks we ordered some fries and sweet potato wedges to nibble on. They were both pretty darn good. The fries were crunchy and hot, and the sweet potato wedges had... read more

Really poor lunch here today. We were with a large group and had all pre-ordered. My medium rare t-bone was over cooked, grissely and charred. The worst steak I've had in a long time. The mash was too dry and the steamed vege tasted like I was at an RSL club. Such a shame it's a great old pub in such a good location, they just need to get a head chef who knows what he is doing. Every dish I the table (there were about 10 of them) looked average at best. Service tried hard but were let down by the food.

I had the burger. The burger was terrible. Too salty and some how managed to be less than the some of all parts. I was with a large group and no one actually enjoyed their meal.

"Crowie", as the locals nicknamed this long-standing institution, is a versatile venue not only where people drench their thirty but playground in the relatively quieter north side of the Harbour Bridge. The outdoor small courtyard was turned into a smoking area since the smoking ban. The area neared the kitchen turned into dance floor at night. If neither of that was not your thing, there were plenty of seating on the other side of the pub away from music and fumes. Food was standard pub food but wasn't too bad and you know exactly what to expect. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but Crowie has been an institution for many years in north shore. thernbdiary.com