Cocktails in Crowie: A guide to the best bars in Crows Nest for your next date night or work happy hour

Crows Nest may be small but it sure is mighty – particularly when it comes to finding the perfect spot to enjoy a beverage or two. In the past few years, it’s swapped out coffee shops for chic bars and restaurants that can compete with the likes of Surry Hills or Darlinghurst.   

The Stoned Crow 

If you’re a fan of an alfresco experience, The Stoned Crow is your place to be. Typically a spot for after work drinks with a generous happy hour to support, the atmosphere builds as the evening goes on. There’s also a diverse range of meals to take you to dinner.  

For the summer, the Stoned Crow team caters to the masses with the Lemon Velvet cocktail, full of Vodka, Limoncello, Vanilla liqueur and Lemon (freshly squeezed!). For something a little spicier they have the Hibiscus Heatwave, made up of Hibiscus Tequila, grapefruit, Habanero syrup, Lime and Tajin rim. 

Happy hour means $6 house beers, house spirits and wine, every Monday to Friday 4pm to 6pm AND $10 cocktails every Friday & Saturday from 9pm to 11pm. 

Li'l Darlin  

New to the scene (at least for the North Shore) is Li’l Darlin. They are best known for their Fairy Floss Martini, but a hidden gem of theirs is the White Choc Passionfruit Martini – the acidity from the passionfruit perfectly balances the sweetness from the white choc and you won’t find this anywhere else in Sydney.  

Li’l Darlin is an institution when it comes to creative cocktails, so you’re sure to find something new and exciting here every time you visit. 

Happy hour: $12.5 Legend Cocktails and $15 Classic Pizzas 4-6pm daily. 

Knird 

Sneaking into the list is a wine bar. While they are best known for their extensive wine list, Knird also has some sophisticated cocktails and the atmosphere to match that, making it the perfect place to make a good first impression.  

Their signature cocktails include the Knird #1 which has Ketel One Vodka, Campari, Limoncello, and Fresh OJ. They also have twists on the classics, including The Kegan Knegroni: Campari, Ambrosia Vermouth, and Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin.  

In their own words, they’ve done all the thinking for you to sit back, enjoy the tunes, soak up the the vibe and embrace the smiles. 

The Captains Balcony 

This last one is for whiskey lovers and is a great spot for a night cap. Priding themselves on their impressive selection of over 700 whiskies, The Captains Balcony makes exploring whiskey easy through curated flight options. You can choose from Australian, Japanese, Scotch Islay or a World selection flight, each designed to introduce you to differing taste profiles from the chosen region. 

For cocktails, they have classic offerings like the Captain's Old Spice, or the Harajuku for the Japanese whiskey lovers. But they also offer some out-there options, like the Mango Mezcal and Rum Willoughby for those wanting to try something a bit fruity.  

Happy hour features $12 cocktails, $10 beer, and $10 bar snacks from Sunday – Thursday 4pm – 6pm