Step into KC’s Honky Tonk in Crows Nest – where country rhythms, big screens, whisky and community converge in an authentic North Shore venue of sound and soul.
There’s a particular light in Crows Nest once the sun dips behind the Harbour Bridge and the streetlamps flicker to life along Willoughby Road: subtle, amber-tinged, as though borrowed from a roadside neon in some dusty Texan outpost. Down Burlington Street, through the hum of early evening chatter, that glow sharpens into the familiar blaze of neon and laughter spilling out of KC's Honky Tonk – a newcomer on Sydney’s hospitality map that feels, at once, surprising and inevitable. Here, country music isn’t a theme; it’s a heartbeat.
You arrive on a Wednesday night, drawn by the promise of rhythm and perhaps a dance or two. Inside, the room is warm with timber, vintage signs, and low-hung bulbs that wash the crowd in a gentle glow. The bar – long, gleaming, and brimming with whisky bottles – runs the length of one wall. It’s the sort of place where, no matter who you are, someone nearby will tip their glass in greeting and offer a smile first.
A Place With a Pulse
KC’s Honky Tonk opened its doors in early 2025, reinvigorating a site once occupied by a different local watering hole. The vision, co-owner Geoff Ohlsen has said in conversation, was simple: blend the spirit of country music with the everyday joy of gathering around sport, games, food, and good drink.
On a Friday night, that blend comes to life. Live music fills the room with steel strings and easy twang, while nearby patrons cheer as sport plays out across oversized screens. Somewhere between the two, KC’s Lager – brewed by Young Henrys and now the venue’s top-selling beer – is poured, and the room hums with easy camaraderie.
The Soundtrack and the Steps
The music at KC’s Honky Tonk doesn’t feel curated so much as lived. Live music anchors Friday nights, bringing local performers and touring artists to the stage with familiar melodies and fresh energy.
Wednesdays are devoted to line dancing, a ritual that has found an ardent following. What started as a handful of participants has grown into a weekly gathering: boots shuffle, laughter ripples, and someone always loses count of the steps only to be gently corrected by the person beside them.
Beyond the dance floor, the weekly rhythm continues with Trivia Thursdays and Countryoke – a country-style take on karaoke that encourages bold song choices and louder singalongs.
Sport, Screens and a Little Competition
Sport is woven naturally into the fabric here. Screens are thoughtfully arranged; jerseys and memorabilia punctuate the walls; voices rise and fall with every goal or point scored. It’s less about fanaticism than shared experience – strangers becoming teammates for the night.
Beyond the screens, dartboards offer casual competition, while Big Buck Hunter has become a standout favourite. Some patrons come in specifically to play, and from March this year, the venue will launch a dedicated Big Buck Hunter competition, adding another layer of friendly rivalry.
Flavours and Firm Handshakes
A newly launched menu leans into hearty, satisfying comfort food designed for long nights and shared tables. While loaded fries are off the menu, favourites include crispy schnitzels, classic burgers, wings with bold sauces, and dishes built to fuel dancing, trivia battles, or a night at the bar.
Behind the bar, the drinks offering is familiar and well-loved. Young Henrys features prominently, led by KC’s Lager, alongside a strong whisky selection showcasing both local and international distillers.
Between Timber and Twang
KC’s Honky Tonk isn’t chasing novelty; it’s building something lived-in and welcoming. The warmth of the room, the shared laughter, and the easy conversations between regulars and first-timers all speak to a place shaped by its community.
Dusk Into Dawn
As the night wanes and the music winds down, laughter lingers in the air like an aftertaste of whisky. Stepping back onto Burlington Street, the neon sign flickers softly, already promising another night to return for.
For those seeking a slice of lived Sydney culture – where country music, community and good times meet without pretence – there are few places quite like KC’s Honky Tonk.