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Restaurant

Small Bar

85 Willoughby Rd, Crows Nest NSW 2065, Australia

Recommended by 14 people

Updated

Find Small Bar

85 Willoughby Rd, Crows Nest NSW 2065, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 2 8084 5118
HoursMonday: 4:00 – 9:30 PM Tuesday: 4:00 – 10:30 PM Wednesday: 4:00 – 10:30 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 10:30 PM Friday: 12:00 – 11:30 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 11:30 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 9:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Small Bar

Tucked along Willoughby Road, Small Bar is Crows Nest’s easy answer for group catch-ups without the usual booking headaches. An open-air back terrace sits under grape vines and fairy lights, while acoustic felt across the indoor ceiling keeps background clatter down so conversations flow naturally across the table. Groups can skip mandatory tasting menus and minimum spend quotas entirely—order à la carte as you go, with split checks sorted without friction. Regulars drop in for generous spritzes, fish and duck tacos, cauliflower wings, and bowls of truffle fries.

  • Vine-Canopied Courtyard: Grape vines, fairy lights, and generous spritzes make the secluded rear open-air garden an effortless outdoor retreat.
  • Acoustic-Treated Interiors: Acoustic sound felt fitted across the ceiling tempers background chatter, keeping interior conversation clear and unhurried.
  • Flexible Group Dining: Large parties order freely à la carte with zero minimum spends or rigid set menus, finished with itemized bill splitting.
RestaurantBarCafeRestaurantWine Bar

What's On at Small Bar

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose Small Bar

Why locals and groups choose Small Bar for easy catch-ups and courtyard drinks

  • Zero-Pressure Group Dining

    Groups can order entirely à la carte with seamless split bills and zero minimum spend quotas or forced set menus.

    And we were happy we could order whatever we wanted without a forced minimum spend or set menu.

    Jeanette Cook

  • Central Sydney Gathering Spot

    Located centrally near transit, the venue provides an easy, unhurried meeting ground for friends coming from across Sydney.

    Small Bar is a great meeting place when you have friends from one side of Sydney to the other and need somewhere in the middle to catch up

    Roz G

  • Vine-Covered Garden Courtyard

    A secluded open-air terrace illuminated by fairy lights and grape vines sets an inviting scene for sharing tapas and cocktails.

    Nice courtyard out the back covered with grape vines and fairy lights.

    John LR

  • Vibrant Courtyard Food & Ambience

    Weekly specials and generous sharing dishes make courtyard dining an easy, flavorful ritual.

    Authentic and cosy place, the fairylights in the courtyard are really sweet - the chicken tacos are amazing !

    Rachael Fysh

  • Acoustically Dampened Interior

    Dedicated sound felt installed on the ceiling absorbs reverberation, keeping ambient volume comfortable even when full.

    we appreciated that they have sound felt on the ceiling to keep the noise levels down.

    Freya Mac

  • Effortless Table Conversation

    Unlike typical reverberant drinking spots, the indoor space lets guests hold effortless conversations across the table without shouting.

    Secondly, the restaurant isn't noisy, which is quite unusual in today's world and great for those of us of that age when our hearing isn't what it used to be.

    Chris Ruwoldt

Signature dishes and lunch specials favored by our regulars

  • Tacos

    Highly recommend the Tacos

    John LR

  • Fish tacos

    I got the fish tacos and the service size was super generous.

    Guido Tapia

  • Chicken tacos

    the chicken tacos are amazing !

    Rachael Fysh

  • Sliders

    we had sliders and soft tacos - both were tasty, and plentiful.

    Chris Ruwoldt

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful operational details that make visits relaxed and effortless

  • Acoustic sound felt ceiling

    Installed sound felt across the interior ceiling actively controls acoustic reverberation, allowing comfortable table conversation without competing against room noise.

  • Zero minimum spend group dining

    Group gatherings can order completely à la carte with individual bill splitting, avoiding enforced minimum spend quotas or mandatory banquet set menus.

  • Vine-draped courtyard with fairy lights

    The rear open-air garden terrace is covered in natural grape vines and strung with fairy lights for an intimate, ambient outdoor setting.

  • Accommodating dog-friendly arrangements

    Staff proactively reconfigured seating to set up a dedicated corner table when a guest arrived with a dog without prior booking notification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring my dog?

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor areas, including the front footpath and rear spaces, though canine access to the back courtyard may be restricted on busy Friday and Saturday nights. If you plan to bring a dog, it is best to check table placement in advance as some garden areas are reserved for patrons without pets.

Can I book a table in advance?

Yes, reservations can be made and are especially recommended for popular evenings like Friday and Saturday nights. While walk-ins are welcomed when tables are available, booking ahead secures spots in busy areas like the garden courtyard.

Are there set menus or minimum spend requirements for groups?

Yes, groups can order à la carte without mandatory set menus or enforced minimum spends, and the venue accommodates separate bill splitting to make group payments straightforward.

Are there vegan and vegetarian options available?

Yes, the menu includes clearly marked vegan and vegetarian selections, such as vegan burgers, black bean tacos (which can be served dairy-free without sour cream), and cauliflower wings.

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