The Foxtrot

Very cute speakeasy style bar with 3 separate rooms. Slightly reminds me of NYC style bars. Cocktails are pretty good, not amazing. Definitely more on the craft cocktail side but not as much attention to details as a true craft cocktail would be. Probably the best place for a cocktail in crow’s nest.

Although I have never claimed to be good at it, I love setting people up. My thought process never goes further than «he’s pretty, she’s pretty, they should go home and stare at each other.» Needless to say I have never had a success. I’m somewhat comforted to see that this isn’t an exact science for anyone else either. Which is why I got to witness a most awkward set up with couple voted «least likely to hit it off».
Thankfully this all went down at Foxtrot Inn, that wonderful small bar in Crows Nest that I always forget about because it is nowhere near anything (except Lynn’s Fortuna Court — the original old-​school Chinese restaurant). No one else knows it’s here either. On a Friday evening it’s pretty quiet.
Foxtrot has everything you could ask for in a small bar. The maze-​like layout means there is something to discover around every corner. The drinks and cocktail selection is extensive and the food menu is pretty good. Did I mention the condiments? Oh the condiments! Tabasco, Cholula and that white rhino of condiments Frank’s Red Hot.
Delightful.

There’s something hidden behind a rather unobtrusive set of arched doors, shaped just like the arch windows from Play School. Which is probably what drew me to see what was behind them. To my delight, it was a dimly lit, groovy space set over three split levels. Lounge/​library in the bottom, bar in the middle, terrace up the top. Pleasant tunes playing over the sound system, with competent bar staff, spiffily dressed. What girl can resist a well dressed hottie, serving drinks? Not this girl, that’s who.

A group of us decided to give this place a crack on a rainy Sunday arvo. After missing the entrance and finding the door, the dimly lit stairs led up to a cosy bar, and further up the lighter fake grass floor «garden bar» which had nice décor. The bartender was very accommodating as some of us were on the alcohol free NY resolutions.
We decided to eat, and in checking the menu noted that the one showing on their website (& FB) was well out of date (fix please!). The hotdog caught my eye, others went for the sliders, unfortunately sold out of spicy buffalo wings. The hotdog was good, smokey meat but the jalopeno mayo not as pronounced as hoped, and at $ 15 a bit on the expensive side. As some of the other dishes came out our host advised us they were using a relief chef as their chef was in A&E after falling off a hammock. Net result was some of the orders were virtually all sold out. It was handled well, alternative menus offered, and accepted and on the house, and free bottle of wine thrown in — thus major negative review averted!
The background music made for a good atmosphere, and was quite varied trying to cater for all tastes. Would like to come back when a DJ is playing — FB info needed there please.
So worth checking out especially if you are riding the small bar wave, although with The Hayberry their competition at the bottom of Crows Nest they will need to make sure they continue to be on the ball in terms of food quality and price.
Keep up the good work!

I always enjoy a visit to Foxtrot. I like the secretive entrance and darkness that awaits inside. Always a good vibe and great tunes playing.

Fortunately an earlier reviewer made it easy to find this place. Look for the white archway and a small sign next to the arch that says «Foxtrot».
Upon entering it has a very cosy feel about it.
At 6.30pm on a chilly winters evening, there were only a few people scattered amongst the various rooms. We settled at the fireplace with our drinks. It would have been fine to sit in any of the rooms as the music is background music and not «shout to be heard» music.
The drinks list includes cocktails (served in a jar), white wine, red wine, beers and ciders. There was also a warmed winter cider drink. We didn’t eat but it looks like pizzas are the thing here.
The barman was very friendly and knowledgeable.
Will definitely be back to this cosy and classy small bar.

Foxtrot is clearly influenced heavily by Alice In Wonderland: the upper level features Astro Turf and old patio furniture, the kind your grandma had on the porch with the peeling white paint. A chiaroscuro mural (just wanted to deploy my semester of Art History here) and white trellis are hung on the wall. The main bar area is a little less esoteric but the space is equally pleasant, with high ceilings and a long U-​shaped bar.
Foxtrot serves all of your favourite beverages at reasonable prices in addition to a selection of bar food. We demolished three pizzas and our verdict was that these hit the spot; they were a little overpriced at $ 20 each, but they were also fairly large. All in all, a pretty cool little venue trading in the op shop vibe of the moment. With a little time and attention, this might be an above the bridge bar to keep an eye on.