NOW EXPERIENCING:The Fox Hotel

Read time 3 Mins

Posted 06 Dec 2023

By
Frank Sweet


Is this Collingwood’s most inclusive hangout? The Fox certainly has community spirit and appreciation for its punters, who come for honest pub fare and reliably good times.

The entrance to The Fox Hotel in Collingwood
Why you go“She’s my world; she’s so rad.” Were Swedish punks Millencolin writing about this always-a-good-time pub when they penned the 2000 hit ‘Fox’? Who’s to say? In any case, it’s a sentiment that rings true for its legions of fans, a super-inclusive mix of friendly inner northerners, for this is a pub that truly does it all. You like football? Pull up a stool, football-liker – the AFLW screens live and loud every weekend. How do you like your beers – wild and wacky? How about a Brewmanity Smokey Bacon Balls rauchbier. Honest and smooth? Make it a cheap and easy Fox Lager. The menu here bangs. Whether it’s an earnest pub classic (see the hulking T-bone) or something with a little more razzle-dazzle (see the Moreton Bay bug pie), this is big, reliable pub fare that won’t let you down. There’s comedy, there’s queer markets, there’s trivia, there’s footy tipping, there’s board games, there’s a pool table and an extremely endearing and very makeshift ping-pong table, there’s a rooftop – there’s something for everyone at The Fox, and everyone is someone at The Fox.
Why you stayThat depends very much on the night, weary traveller. If you’re here on a Wednesday you’ll be staying for a parma the size of a tournament-weight frisbee. Monday is curry night, Tuesday means steak, Thursday it’s burgers. Sunday? A day of roast – pork roast, presented in either one or two courses. Can you hear synchronised laughter? You’re probably here on the monthly stand-up comedy night, then, in which case you should stay and watch Melbourne’s budding comics workshop new material. Do you see cool stuff for sale? That’ll be the Gay Stuff Markets, which run monthly as part of a special event called Beers for Queers. Go buy yourself something cool and support an even cooler initiative. Is a DJ spinning tunes for your dancing pleasure? Wonderful – must be Friday or Saturday. None of the above? We doubt that, but if you’re certain, grab a pal, pick a board game, maybe order some chips, and settle in for the best damn night of your week.
A video game at The Fox in Melbourne
Interiors at The Fox in Collingwood
Why we love itIt’s not the diviest, it’s not the fanciest, it’s not the trendiest, it’s not the kookiest – and that’s just fine. What The Fox has in spades is community spirit, palpable warmth and appreciation for its punters. That begins with the service. The staff are lovely, easy-going people who clearly love the joint, and it’s a credit to owners Clodagh Harris and Bridie Harrop for fostering such a safe, convivial atmosphere. Important question: do you own a dog? Guess what – you can bring them, too. Major green flag! Also, can we talk about the bric-à-brac? The janky Pulp Fiction painting? The taxidermy foxes? There’s enough accumulated detail here to last a lifetime of visits – the kind of sentimental touch you can’t fake.
Don’t leave withoutHave a game of table tennis on that extremely endearing and very makeshift ping-pong table. It’s the heart and soul of The Fox – a totem of everything that’s good about the venue. Don’t leave without thanking your publican and, most importantly, don’t leave without putting in your footy tips.
Make it fancyHmm. Is Guinness fancy? You could make it fancy by adding a little champers to it, serving it in a flute (that’s a type of glass) and calling it a Black Velvet. Otherwise, two T-bones?
Mixing up drinks at The Fox Hotel
The courtyard at The Fox in Melbourne
Who to takeTake pub enthusiasts with big hearts. Take people who appreciate bunting made of old beer cans and fairy lights. Take allies. Take anyone who’ll appreciate the saloon door that separates the dining room from the front bar. Take someone who wants to eat a jumbo steak and listen to The Clash. Take vegetarians. Definitely take dogs. Take a Hinge date. Take anyone who likes all the good things about a “pubby” pub but doesn’t need the gambling and the aggro. Take your dancing shoes and your dancing partner. Take a ravenous appetite. Take us!