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The Brig has never been a destination for me, more of a convenience.
"Oh, we have 30 minutes before our rez? Lets go the the Brig"
"Oh, we closed down the restaurant but don't wanna go home? Yea, the Brig."
Decent drinks, good bartenders, funky bathrooms-what more do you need?
I don't think this is the place to while away the hours but for a quick cocktail, it's great.
I used to work right there, so I'd hop on over and grab a drink often. It's a good bar, the atmosphere not really. It's not a place you'd go to meet people or anything. The last time I went it was packed with weirdos. It's architecturally pleasing, that's for sure. Check out their bathrooms!
The dj plays lame music at night, but then that's just my opinion. I'd rather here some jazz or something, not the KIIS FM top 20s list.
Bars like this, attract a certain crowd, and retains certain loyal customers. I am not such. I come when invited by friends, but if I had to choose, this wouldn't be my first choice. I don't particularly like venice bars, except James Beach.
The crowd are mostly venicians/ locals. So they have artsy/ Venice flair to them. The drinks are regular standard stuff. People are nice, music not so much my taste (electronic/ new age/ DJ spinning). Again, if you are here with friends, you won't notice these as much. Or you would, but they won't bother you.
I do like the chill vibe this place has.
Music by DJ is usually tight, but crowd is a hit or miss. Can't go wrong with the music here, it is a dark scene and it's happening with the hipsters. Except I hate it when there are guys checking on me here and I have to call my guy friend to save me! LOL. But this is a fun hangout, usually hit or miss.
The Brig used to be a passable place to get a beer, play a game of pool, or mingle with interesting people. Now, however, the crush of humanity (brought on in no small part by the nearby Kogi truck and an apparently infinite fire-safety capacity) means that one must be a little selective about their Brigging.
If your idea of a 'good time' is rubbing elbows (as well as other anatomical features that shall be left to the imagination) with a teeming retinue of douchebags and waiting in insufferable lines to pee (yes, men - you, too, will know the significant pains of 'holding it'), then The Brig is your place on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and any 'First Friday.' Sadly, that's not my scene, especially considering the vast majority of body parts you will encounter will be of the sausage-variety.
I wish it were, because I could probably hit The Brig (or, better, any number of the mindless clods gorging themselves on Korean barbecue outside it) with a rock from my apartment.
Other nights are more accommodating, less densely populated, and definitely passable as a watering hole. The bartenders and bouncers are professionals, the prices aren't too bad, and you won't be inadvertently sexually assaulted by some LMU kid who came down the hill to try and bag a cougar.
1 Star for bad nights (listed above),
5 Stars for the rare, good nights (i.e. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday)
for an average of 3.
Where do I begin?
The parking situation in Abbot Kinney can be bad. My first time at the Brig, a Thursday, was no exception. I had to park on a residential street two or three blocks away.
$10 got me the worst Margarita I've ever had. I wasn't asking for some concoction I made up, it's a friggin' Margarita! I've made better with Cuervo mix and iodized table salt. Even a pitcher of the drink I had that night would not have justified paying for that.
As if that weren't enough, I was surrounded by "Hollywood Scenesters,"You know, the "trendy" aspiring-actor types that crowd the streets of Silverlake and look and dress like their 18.
If I hadn't been carded at the door before entering, I would not have believed that the crowd was 21 and over.
The (almost) neo-soul music was not doing it for me, there was not enough seating for me to (not) enjoy my drink, I was appalled by "modern fashion," and became very aware of the seriousness of bulimia and anorexia in our culture that night.
If you find yourself in this disturbingly awful place, don't worry. The Otheroom, a decent beer and wine bar, is a short walk away, maybe three blocks North (away from Venice Blvd.). There you'll find plenty of seating, comfy couches, and a large selection of beers on tap.
Now this is my kind of bar. Awesome beer selection, cute, friendly bartender, DJ playing a great mix of both modern and classic tunes and comfortably not super crowd around 9pm on a Thursday night.
I imagine that it can turn clusterfucky* later on in the night on a weekend but based on my experience last week, this is my new favorite bar in Venice. Too bad I live 300+ miles away.
*TM Phil H.
Not much has changed in the 2-1/2 years since I originally reviewed this place... 'cept the Kogi truck outside and the jazz-funk band on Tuesdays and maybe a $1-2 increase on the drinks. Other than that... the place is still swarming with hot men... can't emphasize that enough. Looks like Venice's finest (men!) come out to play here on Tuesday nights... because the place was jam-packed last night (with hot men!).
Yeah... I know... I said "hot men" about 10x... but it's deserved.
Hot men.
.
Pretty simple:
The Brig has hot men.
The Brig has strong drinks.
The Brig has affordable drinks.
The…
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Why play such bad music man? Why?
I do not want to hear "Gotta Man" or "Bugaboo" on my Friday nights. Ever. Under no circumstances. Make that Monday through Sunday. So never.
PS- Good food truck sitch out back post drinking. Mmmm.
Great music, cool people, stiff drinks, and the Kogi truck is located just outside. What more can you ask for? Unfortunately it's way too crowded. Oh well, I guess that's what happens when a bar gets too popular.
I went here with some friends on a Friday night and it was fun. The drinks were not too cheap but the bartender was quick and all business which is fine since he kept the drinks coming. The DJ's were friendly and took our requests without getting an attitude, so we gave them a shot! The dance 'area' is pretty small but decent and roomy enough for everyone to dance without having to bump into each other.
This large man (large, not fat) was wearing white tight pants with white suspenders and had a perm of sorts with the hair longer up front than in the back. I'm not saying he was gay, but he sure looked like he was having fun on the dancefloor! Since I was with my good friends from college we took it back to the co-ed days and took a picture with him. It was pointless but fun.
This place gets waaay too crowded on weekends. A good night to come here would be a Thursday night when it still packs a crowd but not so much like the weekends where u are uncomfortable inside being packed like sardines in a sauna. It's also a lot of work to wiggle yourself up to the annoyed bartender just to order a drink.
This is the place where you will find a lot of drunk people and drinks being spilled on you if you are not careful who you stand next to. Usually they play decent music, but I've been there on weekends where they happen to play 80's music. I think they should save that for a less happening night, like a Monday, because from what I hear, it's a crowd repellent.
There usually is a line outside, but it moves. The doorman, although he isn't mean, he seems high and out of it all the time. Don't bother having a conversation with him, he would just reply with a lot of "what" and "huh's".
The only thing good about this place is the Asian Fusion taco truck outside.
Good martinis and happy hour. A convenient bar to end your busy day at Abbot Kinney.
I used to come here when I was single. What the fuck was I thinking? Everyone in here is a total douche. If you don't want to be bothered by losers check it out when it opens, which is usually around 6pm. I think this place actually became 50 times more obnoxious after it allowed those fucking roach coaches to occupy their parking lot.
I like this place. It doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it is. Part bar, part dance floor mayhem, with music from decades before present day and a decor to match you can come here to unwind to your fullest.
With a large space, a pool table in the back and a bar that stretches almost the entire length of the Brig you'll be able to get sauced and then get saucy...on the dance floor or playing a game. With a DJ that mixed it up when we were there with a little hip hop here, some eighties there and electronica for all, some might say he was crazy but we just broke it down.
It does get busy on a Friday and Saturday, of course, who can resist dancing the night away only to be swept off to the beach a few blocks over, but it's well worth it. Come here to find yourself or who you used to be for a few hours and enjoy a bit of the past with the cement flooring and what seems to be cement blocks in the walls.
Came here the day before big Halloween night. Came because it's near and heard good things so had friends here from out of town and we all went down! Very mixed crowd, good music and just fun loving people of all ages! if you're looking for somewhere quiet this is not for you, but if you're up for a fun random night definitely try The Brig. My drinks were pretty strong, and shots were decent portions! It's not perfect, there could be more seating, but like I say a fun random night... with no high expectations, pop to The Brig!
Got here at 7:00 on a Venice First Friday and had not problem getting in and sitting in a cushy chair. Four hours later after touring galleries, shopping, saw a line of 25 people to get in.
Liked the Brig. Friend's friends got married here.
Okay beer selection.
see townhouse review.
This place is pretty cool - I would be a regular if it weren't so far away. I dug the live jazz on a Tuesday night as well as the eclectic crowd and ample parking. The only letdown was that the bar was a little too crowded and it made seeing the band rather difficult.
Why do I like The Brig? Well, mainly because of the old timey boxer on the sign. You see, as an angry Irish mick, I long for the days when we dominated the squared circle. Alas, the 1920's are over. Every time I visit The Brig, though, I am pleasantly reminded of our long-lost dominance... Though I am pretty sure that dude is Italian.
All that said, things are pretty good on the inside as well. The first thing you'll notice is that practically the entire place is lit with red lights, making everyone look a little sexier... The second thing you'll notice is that a boost of sexiness probably isn't necessary. Venice attracts a rather young and good-looking crowd, and The Brig in particular tends to attract those who are just down to drink with friends and listen to music (via live band on Tuesdays, DJ on the weekends, and a jukebox most other nights).
The Brig's best feature (next to the sign, of course) is really a combination of all their features... There is a little bit of something for everyone: There is a looong bar for posting up, there are quiet corners and plenty of seating, there are usually a couple people dancing, and there's a pool table too! Basically, no matter what you're into, The Brig has it. It combines the best of a dive, a bar, and a club into one package... As a testament to the truthfulness of this claim, your esteemed author had his 22nd birthday party at The Brig last August.
Next time you're in Venice, even if The Otheroom doesn't have an enormous line, swing by The Brig for some drinking and fun... And say Hi to that old timey boxer for me.
PROTIP: The Kogi truck sets up shop at The Brig every Friday and Saturday, but you probably already know that... So for another tip, try and avoid using their weird unisex bathrooms as much as possible. Don't break the seal!
I LOVE VENICE, and the South Bay in general. That being said...I've been to, or peeked my head in most places on Abbot Kinney, or Main Street.
The Brig was ok, typical south bay socialites, and those aloof characters from West L.A. come to schmooze, brag, and "floss." The interior is kinda modern, and cool, the bartenders were the pros I expect for Venice, but VERY crowded...standing room only. There wasn't a cover the times I've gone... but most of us know... this can change pretty quick.
It's an ok spot, but not one of my favorite haunts.
Super cute place, good selection of booze, super bitchy bartender! Customer service is obviously not a priority. I'll really only go back if there are no other options in the area.
Mark b. and I are on the exact same page.
The interior:
Nice and open. Neat lounge chairs, even a pool table. Cool glowing globe-y lamps hung from the ceiling. The bathrooms were trashed, but kinda funky too. When we first arrived, we enjoyed $6 red stripe bottles, which is not surprising for trendy Venice.
Music:
Suddenly the music started, and we could hardly hear each other speaking. There was nothing else to do but dance. Luckily we were all in the right mindset, the crazy one, where you don't give a crap about what people are thinking around you. The DJ was not my type of DJ. Changed songs waaaaaaay to quickly. You were just getting into a dance and suddenly, the music either practically stopped, or the song changed to a beat totally opposite. Terrible transitioning. Having said that, at least he played some 80's and rock hits. I was also not planning on dancing when I came here, so I wasn't really expecting it.
The crowd:
Was...awkward, weird even. It had a very strange vibe. From the cougar doing opera hand gestures, to the psychotic dancing guy named Matt who's friends were trying waaay too hard to get us to smoke with them, everyone was just desperate or weird.
Other notes:
Anyway they let too many people in, so that I was dancing with my arms smashed into my body. The bouncers inside the club were quite friendly, which was a nice change. When we left at 12:30 there was a line to get into the Brig, and a Kogi truck in the parking lot. I realized I had lost my voice from all the screaming, and was sweating up my own Nile River, so waiting in it (which any true LA Yelper should try once) was not something I was up for.
Yes I did have fun, but I can only attribute that to coming here with friends I rarely get to see, and knowing that the only way to have fun, would be to dance and not too seriously either.
From the outside, it looks like a dive bar. You know, a quiet place you can drink and talk. Well, you can't read a book by it's cover, or a bar by it's exterior.
The inside was fancy and clean. They have one pool table, which had a long line. The live band was playing loud music, to the point where you have to talk to people's ears, not their face. That's annoying enough in a club, but it's expected there... not at a bar. The place was crowded like a club, too, where you have to push your way through the crowd. Drinks were club priced, too.
Don't give in to the $6 parking lot adjacent to the "bar." Find street parking a couple blocks up on Abbot Kinney. There was plenty on a weekday.
I was disappointed.
I've been meaning to review this place for awhile. The Brig is relatively near where I live and makes for a good place to drop in on when I'm not particularly in the mood to travel for a drink.
It's got a pretty solid, non-pretentious vibe that almost always works.
I recently learned that this place freaking HOPS on Tuesday nights. They have a live band and it gets pretty packed. A few weeks ago there was line out the door that was about 20 people deep and once inside it was pretty much shoulder to shoulder. So, it goes without saying that if you need a fun spot to go on a Tuesday night look no further.
My two biggest problems with the bar (-1 star for each) are:
1) They have two single-serving, coed bathrooms which means giant cluster at the bathrooms. It's really just anarchy at The Brig of you gotta go. It takes forever and is just pointless really. They really need to fix this.
2) Drink prices. $7 for a Stella is just ridiculous. There have been and will be nights where I'll be like "The Brig would be cool tonight, eh, but do I really wanna pay seven bucks a Stella?" Then I'll proceed to not go.
One other small problem I have with this place (no star deducted) is that when they have a pool table and when there's a live band playing, they continue to allow people to play pool. All the best local bars I've been to that have live music on certain nights are smart enough to realize that pool isn't the best idea and they cover the pool table. This provides more space for dancing and general lingering. I really, really wish The Brig would follow that lead.
SATURDAY
the DJ sucks so hard. the worst mix. the worst music selection. the worst DJ ever. i don't know who you are, but you suck hard. that's the real reason this place got a low score.
overall the building is pretty cool. nice big bar with 3 bartenders who were pretty attentive. the pool table platform section is neat, but sort of obtuse once the people start piling in. a small dance floor. the giant table is pretty cool but makes it tight when you first walk in. it's a cozy bar. the bathroom is unisex and not really a problem but i could see it getting bad as the night wears on.
the price of drinks is pretty standard for the area. no surprise.
so i went this past saturday and it was pretty bad. we got there around 10 so we walked right in. got drinks pretty quick. found a spot right next to the dj booth. the music was just really really horrible. Now i'm a music snob, but i know that going out you have to put up with some pretty banal choices, but this guy takes the cake. it was super loud and it didn't get anybody dancing. it was more annoying than anything else. Hey there dj-guy in the purple rain shirt 2 sizes too small, take your itunes and your dumb hat and get a better playlist. and stop fake scratching.
As the night wore on, the place was getting more and more packed, and it seemed like people had nowhere to go. The doormen did their best to push them back. but it was getting like sardines in there.
As for the comments of it being k-town away from k-town, i was there for an hour and a half and i was the only asian guy in the club. actually i was the only non-white guy for a long time. maybe it was an off night. but the crowd was pretty standard. mid 20 wannabe hipsters (athletic fit tees), post-college frat guys (collared shirts under v-neck sweaters), and sa-mo anthro/express girls (fashionistas with just a touch of whimsy, but more boobs pushed together). oh yeah, there were 2 or 3 old guys in ed hardy shirts and flared jeans looking for some action.
but then the kogi truck was in the parking lot so maybe all the yellow was outside.
anyway, the music sucked (did i tell you how much the music sucked?) and i decided to call it a night. all in all this place was weak. in fact i yelled it at the dj a bunch of times because it was his fault. if the music was better it would be a cool place to go to. also if they got rid of the pool table it would free up some much needed space. i'd check it out again if i knew it would be legit and have awesome music.
so don't go saturdays if the dj is their regular.
i'm really curious about the good reviews and what day they're from. if they changed the music this place would be pretty cool. way back when (9 years ago), i used to go to some place on main st. that jason bentley would mix at, anybody remember the name?
Okay, so back in the day I would've given The Brig 5 stars. And even now, I'll give it a higher (or lower) rating depending upon the day of the week. For now, I went with a 3 star because it's an average... the place can be a 5 or a 1.
The interior is cool, although there is a serious lack of seating when it gets busier. I avoid The Brig on the weekends at all costs. During the week, it's way relaxed, cool bartenders (once they get to know you)... big shout out to Casey! Buy that guy a drink and you're a friend for life, I swear. Good place to grab a beer and shoot some pool, although the lack of a tv for watching sports is a serious drawback in a dive bar.
There's never a line to get in even when it's crowded... show your id to the bouncers and then waltz on through. No cover, which is unique and a plus.
But on the weekends... the place becomes a shithole. A bunch of ugly old swingers, surrounded by a bunch of frat guys and sorority girls, all of whom are sporting the latest abercrombie and fitch gear. Seriously? What happened to trashy old Venician charm??? A little shorts and flip flops never hurt anybody... look at me damnit!!! ;P
Off of my soapbox. In short, during the week this is a good spot, with live music or a dj on a lot of nights, and a good place to take over with your group of friends. There are always plenty of singles about if you are, so just a good spot in general. Just don't go on the weekends.
Oh, and when you're walking in from the parking lot, check out the massive mural on the wall... that girl has HUGE nipples!
They pour a mean dirty martini and there were lots of cute boys. This single lady will be back.
well,
I live around the block, thought we get a couple beers and some Kogi, sweet no line for the Kogi Truck which is usually parked in the lot... grabbed some short rib tacos with the hot sauce.... YUMMY! great when ya buzzed. We then walked around the corner a freeking line to get in... WTF... waited anyway, b/c didn't want to to the Other Room, hate that place since you can't bring your dogs there anymore...
So back to the Brig, finally got in, the line goes quick... The bartenders do a great job (and cute), even when the place is packed... Cool place favorite neighborhood haunt, when its not crowded. Funny mix of people there, you can see anyone there, keeps the people watching/conversations interesting. DJ was hit or miss, once he had the place hopping he would throw in some stupid song and the the whole place stopped dancing...
Over all still my favorite local bar, you can shoot some pool if it's not too crowed...
GOOD: AMAZING DJ who can spin like none other; Cheap drinks; Friendly bar staff and bouncers who actually jam with the music.
BAD: Can get pretty packed and is hard to manuever around.
IFFY: Two stall unisex bathroom that is lit with a black light so you really dont know if you're stepping into somebody else's sh*t.
I must give props to the DJ in his glass stall. His eclectic mix ranged from M.I.A. to Jackson Five to Journey to Akon----and it all worked! The crowd is friendly, no boushy club hoppers here. And as a bonus, there was the Kogi taco truck parked right outside that night, perfect for satisfying the late night munchies.
Went there once and had the worst experience ever, namely because of the doorman (I think his name was Jay). He was unprofessional and rude, and talked down to my friend like she was 12 years old. After witnessing him straight yelling at her, I tried approaching him in a calm manner (mind you, I was completely sober) to let him know that wasn't the way you talk to people EVER. He wouldn't give me a second to let him know his behavior and his ego-trippin wasn't cool. He wouldn't even give me his name, and I had to get it from the other doorman. For my group, he was straight buzzkill.. And even Kogi right outside wasn't enough to redeem the night.
So Ktown called and they want their scene from "The Fast and the Furious" back.
The last time I walked by, and only walked by, this joint I wanted to take any last star or accolade I awarded the Brig back. It wasn't just all the Forever 21, Contempo, and/or Rampage latest outfits standing out in front, or the overwhelming stench of bad cologne wafting in all directions to boot. It was all of that combined with a parking lot of tools checking out the engines of various "rides" whilst bumping music I am sure doesn't belong in Venice . . . or anywhere I want to be.
Above all, I must say, it surprises me that this establishment will serve alcohol to so many minors and then allow them to drive all that distance home to the (909).
You know what I wish? That this place was cool.
Prime location.
Prime square footage.
Douchy, douchy…
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1) NO COVER - a rarity in LA...
2) The Jam Sessh featured the The Door's guitarist Robby Krieger and Zappa's bassist Arthur Barrow - EPIC. Dave Ralicke played sax and Trombone like a champ, the pianist was funktastic, and the drummer was off the chain.
3) Location: On abbot Kinney (perfect)
4) Atmousphere: LA rock-n-roll heaven. This place was the perfect spot for a most epic jam sessh.
AH, the Brig. The Tuesday night scene is supposedly always poppin off, and in my first experience - it was such a pleasure... so good to know that no matter where I travel in this world, beautiful LIVE MUSIC is waiting to enthrall and entice me.
This place is pretty good. I like it when they have the DJ in that fishbowl. I only wish there was more space to get your groove on, but I guess hipsters aren't the best dancers, so I won't worry about it.
Which brings me to my second point: bring your hipster membership card otherwise you're going to feel left out. But I shouldn't be so harsh because every time I have gone I meet really cool and nice people.
Another thing: It can get extremely crowded, even on a weeknight, so bring your elbows if you want to get a drink at the bar.
This review is a combo of my first steps in contributing for the betterment of society and a great piece of art that my friends and I saw outside of the Brig.
Guys, while you might think it's really slick/cute/cool whatever to "accidently" bump into a girl while passing through a crowded bar and causing her to spill her drink, it's not.
And then to get to the other side and look over to check to see if she's looking at you and then doing it again? Dood, just don't do it, mmm K?
Yeah, especially when the girl is in a in-depth discussion with her KKB and Liz O about why watching a train wreck like Brittney is so much damn fun.
I was kinda expecting like a boxing ring and a bell somewhere inside since the sign says "The Brig" and has a picture of a Boxer on it. Hmm maybe they changed their mind?
But drinks were good, music was ok. I wish KK and Iniko had brought their Ipod...as much as I love Danity Kane, I was sick of hearing "howugonnafixit fix it fix it...damaged! Damaged!" ugh. Yeah, I know the words. Sad.
Now for the Art.
It's the end of the night. Loads of fun were had by all. We're walking through the parking lot to our chariots and Jeff L points out something absoeffinlutely HILLARIOUS.
On the side wall of the Brig a mural depicts a happy couple living their "shiny happy carefree" lives in Venice. A smiling man holding hands with his equally smiling lady friend with a camel toe.
And people say there's no culture is LA! PUH LEASE!!!!!!!!!!
Good music, good crowd, Kogi truck parked outside, but WAY TOO CROWDED. It doesn't seem like the nicest place on the outside, but once you're inside it's a great bar to chill at; non-pretentious people, pool table, great music. But once again, wayyyy tooo crowded. The line for the bathroom was insane, the time it took to get drinks (i think a whole day went by), and I couldn't really sit or move around. Needless to say, we left pretty early. Overall a great bar, i just wish it was a tad bigger and when i mean tad, i mean a lot.
*** well ... timing is everything, i guess? ;) ***
i returned just to see if last week was a fluke.
12:05 i arrive and go straight to Kogi truck.
line is 5 deep ... i meet the horn player.
hp: sup?
me: you
hp: damn, it's hot in there.
w/ the cash they're making,
u'd think they'd get some A/C.
me: that's a testiment to you ... b/c
the band got this spot packed!
i recall when this it was a dive.
hp: i remember, i loved it then ... i
heard they made $11K last Tues!
me: really?!? so you got paid, uh?
hp: wtf just $50 per player, dude.
me: well, how about Beechwood?
hp: that f*cker owns that too! (lol)
me: urgh
12:13 Kogi: your order pls?
hp: what (searching) no diet soda?
Kogi: nope
hp: that sucks ... i'm out, c u inside.
me: urgh ... two chicken tacos pls.
12:17 me: hmm, hmm ... munch, munch. ;)
12:25 two dudes walk up.
dude1: i need some sleep.
dude2: i kinda dragged him here.
me: what, u've never been here?
(cute lil boobilicous babe walks by.)
me: hmm ... high maintenance?
dude1: u think? i like fake boobs.
me: uh?
dude1: well, i've never had 'em. ;(
me: uh?
dude2: c'mon, they're not real!
dude1: but i've NEVER had 'em! ;(
me: uh? (ah, time to enter club.)
12:30 dj spins a sweet old school tune ...
TONITE I'M LIV'N IN A FANTASY,
MY OWN LIL NASTY WORLD.
TONITE U WANNA CUM W/ ME?
DO U THINK I'M A NASTY GIRL?
me: snap, Vanity 6?!?
(an early '80s one-hit wonder)
band start to play RICK JAMES.
(an acid jazz rendition of course)
bass player starts the iconic beat ...
ba-boom, boom, boom, boom, boomp,
ba-boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boomp.
me: sweeeeeeet mix. (dancing now).
entire place is packed and jam'n!
1:35 i finally leave ... i've gotta get up. ;(
*** Kogi, fun convo, great band, good times. ***
*** on Tues nite my fave band performs, but now er'body knows. ;( ***
11:30 i arrive. Kogi parked…
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One night at the Brig truly lives up to its name! How would you like to be thrown into "The Brig" on a naval ship, surrounded by fellow inmates that don't quite have their sea legs? Cramped quarters, jail birds that may try to get fresh with you, and that stench... Oh, that stench! It's probably vomit on the floor.
Well, one Saturday night at The Brig on Abbot Kinney is no different! But instead of being surrounded by moonshine, overly friendly inmates, and the effects of serious sea sickness, it might be a mixture of pervasive body odor, improper Tokyo Subway behavior, and the effects of too many Tokyo Teas! This place is jam packed like the coed car that leaves Shinjuku during rush hour and at first grope, you'll wonder if they'll be splitting the Brig into separate male and female holding cells.
However, I couldn't help but notice a few things
1. Fashionable folk in their 20's or 30's
2. DJ spins top 40 mixes
3. A sole, elevated pool table for the scenesters.
Reasons to go
1. On most nights, you'll run right into the Kogi BBQ truck like you were the Titanic (it's THAT close)
2. Staff noticeably busts their asses to get you your PBR on the double. (+1 star)
Warnings
1. Tokyo subway vibe. Complete with groping.
2. On weekends, there's probably a line to get in. In Venice, folks
3. Accidents involving Tokyo Teas. Watch your step.
4. The cesspool of a bathroom is unisex, ladies. Roll up your pants before you go in, and do not, under any circumstances, stand against the wall
Overall, if you go to the Brig, do as I did, and bring along some good friends to take the edge off. You wouldn't want your night to end like in the real brig...
http://www.seeqpod.com...
Review just on TUESDAY nights only:
Legit 5 stars for Tuesday nights. I assume not as awesome every night, so it's probably a 3-4 otherwise.
I just went there last night and it was AMAZING. I'm sure other people have detailed this but here's the recap/my thoughts:
-they have an awesome dj who played some really awesome jams (1998 word reference).. i have a feeling he's there every night.
-around 1030ish they have this awesome jazz band come in. they start playing, and then the dj starts mixing in some tunes. the result is very very awesome.
-gets pretty packed, and there's a lot of guys..so for the gentlemen, it's a better place to bring a group of peeps than a place to try to lay the mackdown
-around 1130 or so, the Kogi KBBQ Taco truck is out there, and that's just awesome in itself.
DECOR: looks like a fancier place than it is. nice. bathrooms are singles, which is nice. but, they have that shady dark lighting, which makes them a little sketch in terms cleanliness. it sucks how no bar can have a nice bathroom. that'd be cool.
PRICES: average to good. all we had were beers, and they were $5-6
DRESS: average to fancy- at least on a tuesday, you can dress up or down however much you want
check this place out. it's money.
This is pretty much a standard LA bar scene. Dudes wearing $500 t-shirts and rip jeans, hoping to impress girls wearing $1000 couture dresses that are made to look like they found them at the Salvation Army.
The drink selection is pretty standard. No cover is definitely a huge plus. Tuesday night jazz is really the reason you should come to this place. The place does get rockin once the band starts. Dance floor is a little small, so if you have a little spot, make sure you fill it in with your friends.
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