please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The new Intrepid Fox may have the same approach as the same as the old Wardour Street site but the posey modern glass fronted building in the shadow of Centre Point is a far cry from the dingy hole of the original Fox. These days the Fox appears to have become little more than a tourist novelty than the selective back street institution that it once was. The interior is suitably dark and gloomy with minimal lighting and a gradually increasing collection of gargoyles and skulls to give it a pseudo gothic edge. In a nod to the Hard Rock Café, the front of a car pokes out over the bar. There are (and never have been) any Real Ales, just the usual kegs and lagers although draught San Miguel does at least offer something a bit out of the norm. Prices are quite reasonable and I have found the service from the copiously decorated and pierced bar staff is usually very good given that it can get packed when there is a show on at the nearby Astoria. There is the London rarity of a Pinball machine but it never seems to be switched on when I am in there. Naturally the music is mostly rock, punk and metal and they have the occasional live band upstairs. Metal posters adorn the walls and a trip downstairs to the loos is almost worthy of a trip in its own right to view the decorated walls. There are some seats outside if the noise or the yearning for a fag is too much. For something a bit different, a trip to the Fox is an interesting experience, just don’t wear a suit and tie. Unfortunately, for me, it is too contrived and the ambience too far removed from what went before.
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Great raucous pub if you're a rock fan heading to a gig at the astoria/mean fiddler. you'll hate it if you prefer arcade fire to ac/dc
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Visited last night for the first time since its move. They've done a reasonable job of recreating the old place in my opinion; the same posters adorn the walls, the beer slection is still average and the music is a decent blend of classic and modern rock. Dead central location makes this a handy option for pre-gig drinks.
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Really disappointed. Came here for the first time Saturday night for a pre club drink and doubt if I will come again. Have fond memories of the old 'real' Intrepid Fox and was gutted when it closed so I was quite looking forward to seeing the new one. Firstly the bar, it seems that the art of bartending has been lost here and the only qualification you need is a stupid haircut. If the moron behind the bar on saturday would brush his dodgy flock of seagulls hairdo to the side he may actually take note of who is next in line to be served! Music was mediocre and nothing like the old fox (since when has Amy Winehouse been classed as rock?)and it seems you are at the mercy of the barstaff as to what music you have to listen to which is just wrong. There have been no miracles here, this place proves that you cannot bring back the dead, RIP The Intrepid Fox.
cluck - 15 Jan 2008 10:36 |
Whilst I prefer the old place, this is nice and handy for pre gig drinks, fairly decent priced for the centre of London and the music is ok..although I maintain a jukebox instead of the bar staff putting whatever bizarre choices they want on, would be better.
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I used to love the old Intrepid Fox. It had everything you could ask for. Sadly v2.0 seems to have shed all of the quirkiness that appealed to me. Once upon a time you would never see a suit jacket, or football colours in the place. Last tuesday it was alternative as a Starbuck's in Chelesa.
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Have to agree the Pub is great and the Music is excellent but how the small barmaid expected a tip I'll never know she was more interested in the Computer than paying customers, the blonde haired tattooed barmaid was excellent however and very friendly !
anonymous - 26 Jul 2007 09:48 |
Not quite the same as the old Fox but its doing its best. Friendly crowd, barstaff with attitude and a handy patio area outside for the smokers, where you can watch the local wildlife go by. But don't go there wearing football colours as you might not get served !
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Sorry if this is a double review.
The new Intrepid Fox is growing on me.
Wasnt keen when it first opened as the old Fox on Wardour Street had the perfect location in the heart of seedy Soho, felt like a traditional pub and was a fantastic place to watch the world go by without being subjected to The Lighthouse family or some other mindless dross.
The new Fox's location is less traditional, there is nowt to watch out the window except for traffic hurtling by and it is situated at the base of one of those soulless sixties designed inner city tower blocks.
However, inside is coming along nicely. The feel of the Old Fox is almost there with the advantage of more seating and space.
Dont expect excellent servie or even a smile from the bar staff, its not what they do. All of the bar crew would much prefer rummaging through the music files on the antiquated old computer behind the bar than serve a line of thirsty drinkers - and the regulars wouldnt want it any other way.
If you like your music loud, your hair big and you can put up with average tasting beer then your hunt ends here!
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Did this place used to be called "CAFE MUNCHEN"?
anonymous - 29 May 2007 12:02 |
Virtually guaranteed you’ll form an opinion even before you set foot on the premises. If you liked the old Fox (and personally I loved it) then I’m sure Version 2.0 will appeal – if you didn’t, well I appreciate that this place is never going to be to everybody’s taste but please respect the fact that a pub like this NEEDS to exist in the West End (us rockers are a thirsty bunch after all). The clientele have always been “distinctive” looking of course and indeed it’s encouraging to see several characters that I recognised from the old Fox, Garlics and even the Royal George back in its more Rock’n’Roll heyday. Very handy after Denmark Street guitar shopping, before or after gigs at the Astoria / Mean Fiddler / 12 Bar and Tottenham Court Road station too.
The Fox is dead. Long live the Fox.
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Lovely place, although I am not very metal I enjoyed the music. I found the people that go there are very friendly. The décor is interesting and the staff are alright, the only problem my friends and I had with the place was this one particular barmaid who was extremely rude, we noticed she was rude to other customers too. She is the short one with the long black hair, this week she had red streaks in.
Next time my friends and I go I hope she is not there, then we can thoroughly enjoy the experience that is the Intrepid Fox
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Not overkeen on this place. I was really excited about going here because I'd heard some really good things, it was a big letdown. For some reason I just didn't feel comfortable in there. The budvar i bought was warm, the barmaid didn't utter a word. However, there were some nice looking girls in there...
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How cool, new Fox is back on, full of powerful metal, alcohol, interesting folks and skulls. It's so busy on fridays and saturdays, and getting drinks seems easier than in the old one. Definitely, the place to go for every metal head. The only glitch is a Polish barmaid ( short, fat, and long, dark hair, nervous type ). For no reason, she gets abusive and starts swearing at other Polish people in Polish language, so the rest of the staff would not even realize what she is saying. I understand, she must have some issues behind, but insulting random customers does not seem to be a good treatment. That said, everyone else in the pub, bartenders, security, is friendly or at least calm and professional. There are also many toilets in a relatively good condition, so no long queuing is neccessary. Ok, see ya there !
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Useless barstaff. Full of miscreants. Very unclean. Music too loud.
Love it.
Popped in on Monday to see if the change of venue had affected the atmosphere and it hadn't. The old Conservatory pub is an odd space and there hasn't ever been anything there that really works, but the Intrepid Fox does.
Just off-putting enough to mean that it never becomes full of suits, the aspiring classes, hen-parties or machos - veiling itself rather cleverly, though perhaps unintentionally, means that everybody else gets to enjoy a friendly, attitude free and (conversely, attitude packed) unique atmosphere.
Mitchell and Butler's fk up seems to have worked in favour for this set of people - shame the same can't be said for the other bars they so cack-handedly sold off.
Will be back, regularly.
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Was fascinated to try the place as its just round the corner but realised that as a fast-approaching 50yr old wearing a suit and tie i might not fit in with the rest of the clientelle! But who cares - went in anyway and had a great time. Asked to remove my tie before they would serve me but great fun. Music excellent, beer OK, some weird and wonderful sights (I'm sure they felt the same, no problems getting served although it was packed. Will definitely go back (just waiting for my hair to grow a bit!!!)
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I cant understand how anyone who liked the old Fox could like this place, not that we actually made it through the door. Maybe we came on the wrong day? Friday. It was packed with trendies as far as I could see. The bouncer did what bouncers of clubs do (not rock bars) and for no good reason left us standing outside. I never get this, but does a queue to get in look good? Brain dead mentality. As we decided we really didnt want to go in somewhere like this I said, watch as we walk away, he'll suddenly change his mind. Which is exactly what happened. Well, thats 10 less rock fans for your bar in future, hope the trendie thing works out!
anonymous - 3 Feb 2007 00:49 |
This place is awful compared to it's previous location and atmosphere, feels more like a student bar full of Top Shop Punks and a few tourists.
Fine if you're 18 years old, not nice if appreciate proper alternative atmosphere/surroundings. Doubt I'll go here again sober. Go to a Bikers pub if you want proper atmosphere rather than a plastic imitation of the Wardour Street premises!!
anonymous - 29 Jan 2007 16:01 |
Ahhhhhhhhh, to be back in the embrace of The Fox. I was gutted when the old Fox closed, even though I live about 60 miles away now and can't visit as often as I'd like. I went on Dec 23rd with a load of mates from oooooop North and that Kiwi git from DragonForce :) Mucho fun had by all. Downstairs gets crammed and as smoky as a fireman's tunic, but upstairs is relatively airy..........and dare I say it......... FRESH! The DJ is a smily fella (WHAT?! What happened to the usual "I'm so cool I wouldn't piss on you if you were on fire" arch uber-coolness effected by half of London these days?!) who happily played requests. There was room to dance. I left my bag on the table and no one robbed me of all my belongings (but I was just lucky). We didn't have to wait too long at the bar. There were still fellas in the ladies, but I don't mind that, I can borrow their eyeliner :) The music? Perfect of course. Happy bar staff, happy punters. Well done Pat and January, it's a roaring success :)
anonymous - 14 Jan 2007 14:33 |
Still no good draught ales, like the old place, but have had some good nights in here recently. I can put up with draught pale lager or bottled beer for the sake of the music and atmosphere.
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Finally! The new Intrepid Fox is better than the first one! It's the same people and the same bar manager (with the huge key chain round his neck). Music is great and there so much more space! They are having their New Year's Eve party (£5 advance or £8 on the night) strangely on the 30th December and the barman didn't know why. Nice big glass front to scare the tourists. The upstairs is in the process of being renovated and should be ready for the new year (the barman couldn't give me a date) which should have pool tables. This is now one of my favourite pubs again! Still the great music, Motley Crue, Pantera, AC/DC etc. etc. Yay! The Intrepid is dead, long live The Intrepid!!!
Streetmap.co.uk location:
http://streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=529925&y=181334&z=0&sv=WC2H+8LN&st=2&pc=WC2H+8LN&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf
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Forget my rant below. I won't miss this place (as The Conservatory) one bit now. Long live The Fox! It's better than the original.
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hehe, this place is now <a href="http://www.myspace.com/intrepidfox">THE INTREPID FOX!!!!</a>
haven't been in yet, just saw the sign outside...
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It was only 10 years ago that I used to work/live at The Falkland Arms/Bull & Mouth up the street, and I used to drink here on the patio in the summer, or stop by for cocktail pitchers before going clubbing (ah, to be young and stupid.....). I always quite liked it, despite its grubbiness, lack of decent beer (not a consideration at 18/19), and occasional militant lesbianism.
Anyway, what concerns me is the number of bars the immediate area has lost since I worked around here. I used to do shifts across a few of the S&N pubs in the area, and as a roll-call:
The Falkland Arms/Bull & Mouth (Bloomsbury Way) - now a noodle restaurant
The Oarsman (Bury Place) - now an office lobby
The White Hart (Theobald's Road) - now an office lobby
The Three Compasses (New Oxford Street) - now a russian theme bar
There also used to be two bars across a laneway from each other just off Woburn Place that had a great pricewar going on (one was called Dean's, the other I don't remember) that are both now gone, and now The Conservatory is gone. What's been created during the time? The aforementioned russian bar, an All Bar One, and the hideous Point 101. Sure, the 4 S&N pubs listed were for the most part awful, but I miss the freedom of choosing not to drink in them. Now, Bloomsbury's serious lacking options that aren't rammed with tourists from The British Museum, or some chain/theme pub.
Anyway, apologies for the rant. In short, I'll miss this place.
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...I should add that during the entire incident not a single word was spoken by anyone present, adding to the surreal nature of the incident.
anonymous - 15 Nov 2006 15:18 |
I remember once me and a mate of mine (who now lives in an outer London suburb called Fulham so never see him) wandered in out of curiosity when on the hoy in the area. I think it was after 11 and we were looking for an after hours pint.
Upon walking in it was obvious the place was closing and only occupied by staff. Before we could even ask if they were still serving the lad behind the bar looked at us, picked up two of those little squirty things they use to dispense post-mix soft drinks, and sprayed the shit out of us both. In shock we staggered around trying to dodge his blasts, until it became apparent he wasn't going to stop, so to avoid a further soaking we beat a retreat and legged it down the street.
anonymous - 15 Nov 2006 15:16 |
Yes beeronaut, I worked next door (St Giles) but we have to be honest don't we, it was a bit weird!! Go over the road to the Angel, no book signing there but a far better class of weirdo - artists, poets, acedemics, civil servants etc. etc. Oh..and it's a good boozer as well that happens to be the cheapest I know of.
Biker - 15 Nov 2006 08:41 |
Used to be a good venue for book signings organised by Forbidden Planet.
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this was great but has sadly shut down.
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Is it true that the conservatory is closing on the 4th april?
anonymous - 21 Mar 2006 15:09 |
I worked next door to this asonishing establishment (St Giles Court) for 2 years, only went in a few times, astonished each time!! But to be fair, very nice decor and selection of beers etc..
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strange place, mixture of pub & cafe it seemed, not big but not too crowded late on Friday.
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A very pleasant place to get a late drink in the West End. Enough seats and everything. When I was there (a saturday, I think) the clientele and barstaff seemed to be predominantly lesbian, but no one batted an eyelid at a small group of blokes having a drink there.
Joe - 2 Dec 2003 16:29 |
anne rice signed my interview with the vampire there!! in 1993!
we spoke briefly-my friend had got an electric airsoft (forbidden planet)-which at the time cost him,300 quid!!ahh memories...it used to be gothic back in the day...90-96 ish..then became more normal..now part time lesbian-ho hum as they say...
anonymous - 13 Aug 2003 15:31 |
Now a lesbian/ gay bar on Sats, and not as ridiculously rammed as 101 up the road.
The ladies are charming and noisy and play hard. Needless to say, I didn't get a look in. Tschh, lesbians.
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An old favourite of ours till it got really popular, the conservatory can be found round the back of Centrepoint.
It is a pretty handy place if you want a beer after 11 but don't want to pay to get in, although it gets rammed. Been a while since I've been, but I recall that it was distinctly lacking on the 'stunner' front.
Why do all my comments revolve around women? Oh, they do drinks. No ales either, so that's the sandles and socks brigade out.
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