Isabelle FrostThe Annex, a longtime staple of the Square, closed its doors in December, making way for renovations and the opening of The Mad Hatter, a new 21+ bar that hopes to make a whimsical mark on the Oxford nightlife scene.
Maeve Bradley, general manager of The Annex, Rafters Music and Food and Rafters on the Water for HBC Enterprises, explained why the company decided to go in a new direction.
“I went to the owners, looking back on our numbers over the past couple of years and there’s been a really big decline in students coming here, (who are) our main draw,” Bradley said. “I understand. Kids outgrow things and outgrow a dive bar experience. There’s plenty of options like that around town.” .
Reagan Plunkett, a junior biochemistry major and former patron of The Annex, shared her thoughts about the bar’s closing, echoing Bradley.
“It’s definitely bittersweet to hear about The Annex closing,” Plunkett said. “As a freshman I went there often and will definitely always appreciate those memories. Now that I’m older, the thought of a new bar is exciting since I kind of grew out of the stereotypical freshman bar.”
Fallon Stephens, a junior communication sciences and disorders major, shared her fond memories of visiting the Annex her freshman year.
“Annex was such a freshman year staple,” Stephens said. “I had so many great memories and experiences. Flip night was such an integral part of the bar scene and it’s hard to think that some freshman won’t have that experience.”
In this new chapter, Bradley hopes to create a unique, welcoming and interactive pub experience for the Oxford community to enjoy.
“The Annex has always had a fun vibe that encourages people to meet and mingle and we’re building off of that,” Bradley said. “We are opening a brand new concept called The Mad Hatter.”
Having opened Jan. 24, The Mad Hatter offers patrons food, drinks and performances from a slate of local musicians.
The Mad Hatter coined its name from one of Bradley’s childhood memories.
“I grew up on the Jersey Shore, and my parents would take me to this great bar with the same name,” Bradley said. “I have such fond memories of that place, and when it was destroyed during a hurricane it broke my heart. There are also some fun elements and hidden details all around The Mad Hatter that nod to the name and the story of ‘Alice In Wonderland.’”
In addition to paying homage to the name’s story book origins, The Mad Hatter is also meant to honor the history of the original space and the culture of Oxford through a collection of locally sourced antiquities, Bradley said.
While the décor is being carefully curated, Bradley said the bar allows patrons to decide what kind of experience they want to have.
“We want to keep it whimsical to the point where it’s all up to the eye of the beholder,” Bradley said. “You get to decide if you walk in here and it’s a really fun, flirty and girly environment, or it can be very masculine.”
No matter what experience they choose, Bradley said patrons of the bar will find an interactive experience.
“From choosing bar stools and tables to implementing dueling piano players we really wanted to encourage guests to interact,” Bradley said.
While some have been upset about the closing of The Annex, Bradley said that the public’s response has been overwhelmingly positive.
“I am really excited for the direction we’re headed and the feedback we’ve gotten has been positive,” Bradley said. “People are excited about the new menu, craft cocktail menu and dueling pianos on the weekends. We are hoping everyone can see the thoughtfulness our wonderful team put into this project,”
Bradley hopes that The Mad Hatter will ultimately serve as a safe place for members of the Oxford community.
“There really is something for everyone. It’s a celebration of Oxford. Overall, we are all very excited to open and let everyone see our dedication and appreciate this great new pub,” Bradley said.
