Chris Hudnall and Randy Alonso dig deep into history for inspiration for their bars and lounges. At Lost Boy Dry Goods in downtown Miami’s DuPont Building, it was Alonso’s grandfather’s old denim shop he visited when he was younger. “My grandfather’s desk is there,” he says. The clothing shelves make up the back bar of the job, which just celebrated its fourth year in business.
Tropezón, their Andalusian-style gin and tapas bar on historic Española Way in South Beach, was inspired by village saloons in Spain. “What attracted us was its history and architecture,” says Hudnall. Their drink program, showcasing gin and tonic and gin infusions, also highlights sherry, porto and Madeira, while their tapas feature favorites like jamon iberico, patatas bravas and gambas al ajillo.
Their newest endeavor is a reboot of the 1946 Fox’s Lounge and Sherron Inn Liquors on US 1 in South Miami. Locals lamented its closing in 2015. For their version, Hudnall and Alonso were guided by a strong sense of nostalgia for the original space – black-and-white striped floors and awnings, captain’s swivel bar chairs, red Naugahyde banquette booths and, above all, noteworthy darkness.
Fox’s Lounge and Sherron Inn Liquors, South Miami Photo: Lost Boy
“Fox’s was not a cocktail bar,” says Hudnall. “This is a joint. The drinks are strong, the martinis are cold.” Former employees and owners helped them recreate old recipes for the menu, like tasty thumb bits of seared filet, the beloved French onion soup, fried chicken. “There’s a sentimental connection” to Fox’s he says. They even created a replica of an airplane painting that prompted patrons to ponder whether the aircraft was taking off or landing. Hudnall and Alonso did make a change in the original layout of the lounge and drive-through liquor store. “We flipped the liquor store [in the rear] so it faces the US 1 side of the building, and rebuilt the lounge,” Alonso says. The liquor store will stock a curated list of spirits, wine and craft beer, he says.
Next up for Lost Boy: the restaurant and rooftop bar at Mayfair in Coconut Grove, now being revamped. Expected to open later in the year, the Mayfair Grill will specialize in Sonoran cooking; SipSip will focus on rum-based cocktails and agave spirits. The concepts, say Alonso, were inspired by Mayfair’s unique design. “We start with what the bones are telling us. The architecture needs to talk to you.”
Lost Boy Dry Goods
Downtown Miami
lostboydrygoods.com
Tropezón
Española Way, Miami Beach
tropezonmiami.com
Fox’s Lounge and Sherron Inn Liquors, South Miami
