MIAMI HAS plenty of history, but with so much new, it is easy to miss. That is where Randy Alonso and his partner Chris Hudnall, owners of Lost Boy & Co., come in. They look for opportunities to bring back a classic and local feel in areas that have declined or become overly touristy. Randy started in the bar and restaurant business by turning his family’s historic downtown Miami clothing store into Lost Boy Dry Goods– a classic watering hole designed with memorabilia from his family’s original 1950s department store. Lost Boy has a solid menu, live music on the weekends and has become a World Cup viewing party headquarters. Downtown Miami is having its moment…finally, and Randy and Chris are helping make it happen.
Lost Boy & Co. then created Tropezon located in the Esme Hotel on historic Espanola Way. A local old school favorite, this street in South Beach was turning quite touristy and run down. Tropezon is named after Randy’s grandfather’s small hometown in Spain where men would play cards in the afternoon and women would talk about the day over sherry, this beautiful Andalusian-style gin bar focuses on infused flavored gins, sherry, and wine.
And for a real Miami history lesson …after seven long years, Lost Boy & Co. brought back a true piece of Miami history, a veritable institution that had closed its doors … Fox’s Lounge. Their goal was to celebrate Miami and they spent two and a half years reaching out to old owners, former waitresses, busboys, servers, and vendors to recreate its famous specials, its dark interior, and the exact same cocktail list. They even kept the pay phone that local lore says was used by Jimmy Johnson when Jerry Jones called him to offer him the job as head coach for the Dallas Cowboys.
Guru Tip: you can make a reservation – but only on Instagram.
Their latest collaboration is the stunning Mayfair House Hotel & Garden in Coconut Grove.
It is designed by Kenneth Treister, a local architect and artist known for his Brutalist and Gaudiesque style. The Calypso style rooftop bar Sipsip has a beautiful view of the neighborhood and there is also a bar next to a glam tropical indoor garden. Make sure to explore the whole building to see the amazing stonework and ironwork design.
Click on the video to hear Randy’s entire interview and his success in bringing back true Miami icons.
What old Miami icons do you wish came back? Let us know.
