by Garth Meyer
Lit by a construction lamp, two men stood on a raised platform, at work on the ceiling of “The Fox Den,” a not-yet complete new establishment on Pacific Coast Highway and Avenue F. It was Dec. 7. A curving bar was in place and, on the unfinished walls, uncovered murals were visible from when previous tenant Pat’s II closed.
Finishing touches have since come for the sister project to Hermosa Beach restaurant Fox & Farrow.
“We’re hoping to open in the next couple weeks,” said Seith Weiss, co-owner, with partners Brian Duff and Kieran Harrington.
The group awaits final construction wrap-up and inspection from the city.
“An upscale cocktail lounge with a slick ‘70s vibe,” is how Weiss described the new place. “Think plush seats you can sink into, cocktails that surprise you, and an atmosphere that’s just right—whether you’re rolling in after work, catching up with friends, sparking a little romance, or just craving a damn good drink.”
The Fox Den concept came from considering area nightlife.
“What isn’t out there, what people will like, and what is fun, so we came up with the Fox Den,” Weiss said. “It’s not like going to the corner bar.”
He also owns The Underground, in the same building as Fox & Farrow on 14th Street in Hermosa, the town Weiss moved to in 1991.
“I had a friend who lived here, I came down, had a good time, and moved here,” he said.
Weiss passed the bar but never practiced law. Instead he worked for 10 years in the eyeglasses and sunglasses business, then went into restaurants.
He noted that The Fox Den has a great sound system, and a D.J. will come in on weekends “setting the vibe.”
“The good part of internet jukeboxes is you can play whatever you want. That bad part of internet jukeboxes is you can play whatever you want,” he said. “You need guardrails.”
Pat’s II Cocktails occupied the PCH/Avenue F corner from 1965-2023. In the process of stripping it down, owner Ryan Conklin discovered murals painted on the south wall of young musical figures Willie Nelson, Mick Jagger, John Lennon, and the white horse with wings of the Steve Miller Band.
They are hidden again for “The Fox Den.”
Before Pats II (no apostrophe in the spelling), the building held another bar called House of the Rising Sun.
Weiss and his partners leased the space in 2023, signing a 10-year agreement, with 10-year option. Construction began in February.
What remains to be done before opening?
“Furniture, artwork, decorations, a little bit of millwork and plumbing,” Weiss said. “Any sort of hardcore construction should be done this week.”
It was an extensive endeavor.
“We gutted what little was left there,” Weiss said. “There was not a functional, usable square inch of space when it was left.”
The Fox Den will have a capacity of 80.
“We don’t plan to serve food now but we reserve the right to add food service later,” said Weiss.
They will allow food to be brought in.
The project’s interior designer was Sage Gracie Allard, Los Angeles, and general contractor Michael Ferraro of Elite Contract Services, Carlsbad.
“I don’t think there’s anything in the South Bay that this compares to,” Weiss said. “Don’t get me wrong, there’s other great places, nice places, just not the same, not similar to this.” ER
Construction underway at the new “Fox Den”, taking shape at Pacific Coast Highway and Avenue F in Redondo Beach, the site of the former Pats II Cocktails from 1965-2023. Photo by Seth Weiss
