Crows Nest could be getting another major watering hole, with plans lodged for the Royal Crow Hotel at 7–11 Clarke Street, on the corner of Hume Lane.
The Royal Crow would join at least a dozen existing pubs, bars and drinks-led venues in Crows Nest, including the Crows Nest Hotel, Stoned Crow, Small Bar, The Hayberry, Li’l Darlin and The Foxtrot.
The proposal would transform the existing two-storey commercial building – currently home to nine ground-floor businesses and 13 offices – into a sizeable new pub with capacity for up to 500 people.
Plans allow for 250 people on the ground floor and another 250 upstairs, along with light entertainment such as a duo or ambient DJ. Under the acoustic recommendations, windows and doors would be closed after 10pm.
The Royal Crow is also seeking to trade an hour later than Council’s standard DCP hours on Mondays to Wednesdays and Sundays.
Another variation would allow patrons to continue using the Hume Lane entrance after 10pm. Council’s controls generally require late-night entry and exit to occur from a venue’s primary frontage rather than a laneway. The proposal includes CCTV and staff monitoring around the Hume Lane entrance, and the applicant has suggested a 12-month trial could be imposed if required.
The existing site has eight car spaces, while the new pub proposes no bicycle parking. The application argues its central location means most customers and staff are likely to walk or use public transport, also pointing to bicycle parking available at Crows Nest Metro.
The building would also get the full Royal Crow treatment, with seven illuminated signs proposed across the site, although there would be no digital, flashing or moving signage.
The proposal has been lodged with North Sydney Council as DA348/2026.
Main image: North Sydney Council DA Tracker
