Sydney institution The Stoned Crow to close after 15 years
Sydney's north shore hospitality institute, The Stoned Crow in Crows Nest, will shut its doors on October 4, after 15 years in business.
The closure was announced via a social media post on Thursday, with the venue citing the end of its lease as the reason for winding up operations. "After 15 incredible years, our lease is coming to an end, and we've got one last month to celebrate The Stoned Crow - and what a 15 years it's been," the post said.
Management was careful to note the closure was not a reflection of the business's performance. "We're sad to be closing our doors but more than anything we want to celebrate everything The Stoned Crow has been and the memories we've created together," the statement read. It later added: "The truth is, The Stoned Crow is still thriving. That's what makes this next chapter so hard - but also makes us incredibly proud of what we've built together."
The venue, which first opened on Willoughby Road around 1980 as a small wine bar before evolving into a modern restaurant pub, built a reputation over four and a half decades that extended well beyond a typical hospitality tenure. The operators credited that longevity to their team and regulars: "From the first day we opened, we've been lucky enough to have an amazing team, both front and back of house, incredibly loyal customers, and a community that has made The Stoned Crow what it is today."
News of the closure prompted an immediate wave of reaction from customers on social media, with many expressing shock and disappointment. "NO WAY!!! Say it isn't so," one person commented on Facebook, while another wrote: "What, how, why.
I can't believe I am reading this, what happened." A third simply posted: "Devastated."
The venue is using its final month to run a series of deals and happy hours, encouraging the community to return before last drinks are called. "One last month.
One last chance to make a few more memories," the post said. "Come down, have a drink, grab some food and give The Stoned Crow the send-off it deserves."
Jonathan Jackson, 7th September 2026
