Well, maybe not dead…yet. But definitely on its’ last legs.
The venerable Fox and Fiddle Pub (a.k.a. The Pox and Piddle) is closing down! The Fox is a fixture in the virtual epicentre of Toronto’s Entertaiment District. Located exactly one block from our hostel’s door, it has always been regarded as the hostel’s “local” watering hole.
The Fox is a two story bar with the decor and musty, stale-beer ambiance of a British Public House. I doubt there has ever been a backpacker in our hostel who has not enjoyed the odd pint in the legendary Fox. (teatotallers excepted.)
Our “local” has always been famous for its low-price beer (before 4PM) and daily food “specials”, including half-price Chicken Wings and $10 pitchers of domestic beer on Sundays and Mondays. (The wings are the best in the area…the beer is not!)
The Fox also hosts Monday night Karaoke that has proven to be one of our most successful hostel “events”. There is always a huge contingent of hostelers in attendance on Monday nights!
But even in this time of global economic crisis, Toronto is booming. The Fox, Alice Fazooli’s and The Corned Beef House (all hostel favorites) are all giving way to the development of 40+ storied buildings as part of the Film Festival Towers development.
The Fox plans on closing down by June of this summer – less than two months to go. This is the end of an era in the district! If you’ve not experienced it, this might be your last chance!
(To all past – and present – Canadiana residents: please feel free to share your reminiscences of the FOX in our comments section.)
The Fox? is that a pub in Toronto…I’ve never heard of it!!!! hahaha , Quality pub great staff and food. Shame to see it go for a stupid skyscraper!!! Hopefully Nick finds a nice new modern location near by!! And dont be bitching about the beer Bill,10 buck pitchers of Molson Ex….solid gold!!!!
As a past Canadiana employee, I met my best friends and my Fiancé inside the famous Widmer Street walls. The Fox was, and always will be like Cheers, a place where every body knew everyone and if you didn’t by the end of the night you would!
The Fox was where Lourens and I first unveiled Team Sawesome while belting out Summer Nights during Karaoke. Matt stuck to his weekly favourite Basket Case by Green Day and I of course, for those who know me, demanded, and got, Jessie’s Girl by Rick Springfield added to the playlist.
We spent spring days on the balcony and when I graduated university last spring, I took to the roof with Ray, Pearcey, Doughy and a few other hostel staples to celebrate the fast approaching hazy days of summer.
Now living in London, UK the Fox and the Canadiana represents an era of my life that, had it never existed, my life as I know it today would never have been possible.
For many the Fox may have just been another Pub but for us, and many before and after, it was a place for friends, laughs and one hell of a good time. It is more than just a pub; it is our pub, our home, our memories.
What a shame. I think we’ve been there at least twice a week, Mondays for the pitchers and dont forget about the burgers, i think it was on Wednesdays wasnt it? Anyway, the best pub to get hammered since its so close to the hostel!
The Fox. My first night at the hostel I was invited to the Fox by some great guys.
I spent a lot of hours in the Fox with many friends going through the menu and trying out the beer list. Not to mention a few rare Monday nights on the mic trying to sing and of course half price wings on a Sunday, the best wings in Toronto in my opinion. Also countless nights beating Pearcy and Doughy at pool! I think its because they support Liverpool, nae skillz!
The staff are awesome and the place has an atmosphere to match.
If it does shut, there will be a lot of thirsty and hungry dedicated customers on the look out for a new home.
But I do not think its possible to match what the Fox has. As Doughy rightly says I hope Nick finds some where near by.
The end of a era for a great pub.
Noooon!!! C’est la fin d’une institution!
What a pity. It was the place where I started enjoying beers, I would have loved to drink a few more there… I will never forget all the good times I had neither the awesome people I got to know there…
O my gosh!!! I can’t believe it!
I’ve been in the hostel for 7 months now, and I have never skipped a karaoke night at the Fox! It’s our night out..
I’ve spent so many great nights there, nights which always started with chicken wings and a pitcher of -disgusting- Molson’s Canadian.
Too bad it’s closing down, it’s such a good event for the hostel. I’m sure it will be missed by a lot of people!
OMG! I’ve spend so many nights there, and always had fun !! Even if I’m not in Toronto anymore now, I feel sad about that, fox was simply our pub ..
=(
The King is dead… Long live the King!
When I fist came to Toronto there where two places you would drink at, the Peel Pub (which served nasty food) and the Fox!…
I don’t know what the Canadiana backpacker is supposed to do now, especially in the winter (everyone obeys the three block radius)?
Sad to hear. The open mike nite every week was also great fun and the two smkokers patios are the best esp on weekend nites. i will def go by for a final pint!
This cannot be happening. Some of my best nights of my year in Canada were at the Fox. It’s a joke. Where are we supposed to go now!!! Whose bright idea was this?
Can we petition? I emailed the Fox website but they didn’t get back to me. I’m sooo angry about this.
I’m coming back on June 12th for a vacation but part of me feels it wont even be worth coming. I was so excited about wings and karaoke. Can someone chain themselves to the railings!!!
Hey everyone!
If you don’t know who I am, then you probably have never been to the fox on a Monday night before lol! But it’s ME! Your fave karaoke host that brings the noise every week
First off, I would love to thank everyone from the hostel that has helped make the last 7 years of my stay at the Fox so wonderful! I have met tons of new and interesting people from all corners of the world and you truly have enriched my life in wonderous ways! It will be very sad that such an iconic venue is shutting down, BUT never fear, talks are in the works for scouting a new location just a hop, jump and a skip away!
Even if the Fox chooses not to relocate, I will set up shop at a bar (can’t list the name yet for privacy issues) right around the corner from you. That way we can carry on our tradition of Monday night shitshows! lol!
Again, my thanks and big love to all of you past and present <3
Richie Rich
GINK Entertainment
Karaokerich@gmail.com
The worst news I have had this year!!! Utter rubbish!
The Fox & Fiddle being closed to make way for another tower block!!
I can assure you that no way would that tower block have the stories to tell in years to come, of social nights out and party antics that the F & F would.
For me the F & F was the hub of social life at the Canadiana!
Throughout my whole weeks stay I don’t think I missed one night!
It was a way of socialising with new arrivals, current hostel buddies and a venue of farewells. Many a friendship has been created in the walls of that pub, many friendships which remain today.
So Bill, Bryn, Rick, Naleash, Michel, Masa, Rob, Nancy, Denise, Stephen, Jane, Cordelia, and all the others whom were there – I take a moment to raise a glass (albeit a pint of Honey Brown, Sleeman’s or what ever other substance was your tipple) To the Fox and Fiddle!!!
xxx
the fox is dead long live the fox……………..
If your wondering what it is im about to say, let me tell you what it is im about to say, what it is im about to say is that the fox was a place for a man of my stature and i have a high stature.
There was a bit of a draft like.
Hmmm good memories… how will the hostel survive without?
Good luck there!
I was telling a friend the other day how at my going away party we had gone to the Fox and I was so happy to be there sitting around the table with all my friends. It is sad that it will be gone!