Fox's Lounge, nestled on U.S. 1 in Miami, has been a cherished institution since Betty and Bob Fox opened its doors in 1946. For decades, it served as a haven for locals, Eastern Airlines pilots, and visitors looking for stiff drinks, deli-style food, and the camaraderie only a bar can provide. Stories of first dates, clandestine affairs, and relationships formed or broken in Fox's shadowy corners became legendary, as did the happy hour debates over whether the painting of a 737 on the wall depicted a plane taking off or landing.

When Fox’s closed in 2015, it left a hole in Miami’s heart. However, Randy Alonso and Chris Hudnall of Lost Boy & Co. refused to let this bar's legacy fade and spent years piecing together the bar's storied past to bring her back in full glory for the community, drawing from conversations with former patrons and the bar’s longtime regulars, including George Andrews, a retired Eastern Airlines pilot and a cornerstone of Fox’s lore. During the pandemic, Alonso had recurring weekly hour-plus-long phone calls with Andrews to capture Fox’s essence—its menu, ambiance, and the indefinable charm that made it special.

The effort to bring Fox’s back was nothing short of a community project. Locals shared memories, recipes, and even relics from the original bar. One widow provided treasured recipes from her late husband, who once served as Fox's chef. Former patrons dropped off old plates and glassware at one of Alonso and Hudnall’s other bars, Lost Boy in Downtown Miami, and painstakingly recreated by manufacturers. Even the iconic 25-foot Fox’s sign with its martini glass—miraculously rescued from a dumpster during Art Basel, though no one knows how it returned to the bar and restaurant building site—was restored, blending the original metal frame with newly reinforced materials to preserve its historic glow.

When Fox’s reopened in 2022, it was clear the bar’s "afterlife" was as vibrant as its past. The menu has stayed true to its roots with classics like Prime Rib and martinis served with full sidecars, but new twists on nightlife, like a yacht rock DJ and vintage music videos, are adding flair and attracting a new generation of patrons. The eclectic crowd, ranging from early-evening matinee diners to late-night revelers, echoes the bar’s original charm. Even the carved graffiti on the walls, a tradition frowned upon by old-timers but embraced by new patrons, includes names of celebrities like Miami Heat players and even our founders. 

Fox’s revival is more than just a reopening—it’s a testament to the power of community. By preserving the darkest bar in Miami, with plans to reopen the original liquor store window and restart its supper club tradition, the Lost Boy & Co. team has ensured that Fox’s remains a place where memories are made and stories are shared.