The Old Fox Now Open St Albans Photos

So, picture this: you’re wandering through St Albans, perhaps recovering from a particularly aggressive scone at a nearby café, when you spot it. A sign. “The Old Fox – Now Open.” And your brain does a double-take. Is this a pub for wise, retired mammals? A secret society of cunning gardeners?

Relax, conspiracy theorists. It’s actually a brand-new bar and restaurant, and it’s already causing a stir. Located on the site of the old Mermaid pub (RIP, nautical decor), The Old Fox has swapped fish for foxy flair. And yes, the photos flooding Instagram are absolutely ridiculous—in the best way.

What’s the Big Deal? (Besides the Name)

First, let’s talk about the interior, which is basically what would happen if a Victorian gentleman got lost in an enchanted forest. We’re talking dark wood panels, velvet banquettes the colour of a good red wine, and taxidermy foxes wearing monocles. I am not joking.

One particularly dapper fox appears to be judging your life choices as you order a gin and tonic. The photos show a chandelier made of antlers, which sounds terrifying but actually looks like something a woodland fairy would steal for her fifth wedding.

The real surprise? The bar is covered in actual vintage books, which you are allowed to read. But don’t get too comfortable—the bartender will mock you if you start crying over a page of Jane Austen.

The Food: Not Just Nuts and Berries

You might expect a place called The Old Fox to serve only squirrel stew and foraged mushrooms, but the menu is aggressively modern British. Think roast bone marrow with marmalade glaze—yes, the sweet and savoury combo that ruins all other meals.

One photo I saw made me actually drool on my phone: a whole chicken, roasted with lemon and thyme, served on a wooden platter the size of a small dog. The caption read, “The Fox’s Feast.” It costs £28 and comes with a side of roasted carrots that look like they’ve been personally waxed by a celebrity aesthetician.

For the vegetarians, there’s a “Wild Mushroom Pie” that reportedly comes with a pastry fox paw print on top. Adorable. Delicious. Possibly cursed. I’m ordering it just for the Instagram story.

The Photos That Broke the Internet (St Albans Edition)

Let’s dive into the photo album that’s making everyone in Hertfordshire lose their minds. First up: The bar. It’s lit by real candles, which is a bold move considering how clumsy the average drunk person is. No, they haven’t banned phone flash, but the manager reportedly hissed at someone who used it.

There’s a shot of the “Fox’s Grotto” – a private dining nook hidden behind a bookshelf. Yes, like a speakeasy, but with more taxidermy and fewer jazz musicians. The photos show a table set for two, with a single rose and a tiny fox statuette holding the napkin ring.

One user posted a selfie with the monocole-d fox, captioned: “My new therapist. She hasn’t said a word, but I feel seen.” Another image shows the “secret” light switch, which is a brass fox’s tail. Pull it, and a hidden door opens to the VIP lounge, which is just a broom closet with a disco ball. Genius.

Wait, There’s a Bathroom Situation?

Let’s talk about the toilets, because apparently, they’re legendary. The ladies’ room has a mirror framed by glowing mushrooms. The gents’ has a urinal shaped like a watering can. One review said, “I peed in a garden implement and felt closer to nature.”

The surprising fact you need to know: The Old Fox has a dedicated “whiskey tomb” – a temperature-controlled vault with over 100 single malts. The door is a replica of a Victorian coffin. Yes, you can take a photo of your friend pretending to be buried in booze. Do it. For the gram.

Is It Worth the Hype? (And the Queue?)

Here’s the honest truth: The Old Fox is genuinely fun, but you must book in advance. I walked past on a Tuesday at 4pm, and there was still a line of eight people arguing about who got the last table. The hostess, wearing a fox mask, handled it like a diplomat from a chaotic country.

The cocktails are £14 each, which is a slap in the wallet, but they come in glasses shaped like acorns. You’re paying for the theatre. One cocktail, “The Cunning Plan,” arrives in a smoke-filled glass box that you have to open with a tiny key.

I recommend the “Old Fox Lager” – it’s not fancy, but it’s cold, and it lets you laugh at the people fumbling with the smoky box. Classic fox move: keep your options simple while others complicate themselves.

The Verdict (Spoiler: Go)

If you live in St Albans, you’ve already seen the photos. If you don’t, drive there. The Old Fox is the kind of place that reminds you eating out should be a ridiculous, joyous adventure. Where else can you argue with a dead fox about the price of truffle fries?

Just remember: the bar is small, the taxidermy is watching, and the hidden door to the broom closet is a trap for the over-curious. But honestly? That’s the fun part. Go, take a photo, and if the monocle fox glares at you, just buy him a whiskey. He’s a surprisingly good tipper.

So, is The Old Fox now open in St Albans? Yes. Are the photos as good as they look? Yes, and better. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to figure out how to book the Grotto for my cat’s birthday. The fox in the suit said it’s “purr-fectly acceptable.” I’m not sure if that was a pun or a threat, but I’m going with it.