Brick By Brick

Great place to see a show, near all kinda of restaurants to make a great night. Sometimes stinks like piss near the stage but great sound system and bar. Lots of live acts on regular basis, great place to have your band play, staff treats you well.

the new brick by brick is just fine. they got entirely rid of the old staff, so that adds at least a couple stars. the place is a bit nicer inside, though it seems they’ve lost a bit of the booking prowess with fewer good (in my opinion) bands. this may be their choice or it may suggest that i have bad taste. nicer place, much nicer staff = more stars. oh hell, i’ll give ‘em another because of the improved staff…

I like this place quite a bit. Some of the best shows I’ve ever seen were here, like Holy Grail, Robb Flynn, Death Division and some local acts. I don’t have any complaints; this venue has always been good to me.

Drove down from Los Angeles to see a fellow Australian’s band play one Sunday evening and boy was it worth it! Brick By Brick is an awesome live music venue with great sized stage, kick ass sounding PA and strong drinks. They host a variety of local, Interstate and International acts almost every night of the week and its usually super cheap entry!
Definitely check this place out if you’re a live music lover.

Love this place! Awesome new owners! Sandra the bartender is amazing! Literally amazing service by a beautiful girl are you kidding me!!! You guys literally turned this place around 100%

It’s been a long time since we’ve seen a show here. Mostly because the last time we bought tickets for a show at Brick By Brick, they closed down and the bands had to move to a different venue. Brick By Brick didn’t bother letting those who purchased tickets know in advance; we found out by accident.
Anyway, a band that we love had a tour stop in San Diego, which was great because the last several times we saw them, we had to drive up to LA. That they were in our city made it a no-​brainer — we were going.
The night of the show, we were stuck in one of our summer heat waves. We were standing in line with a bunch of other metal lovers, and I know we weren’t the only ones dreaming about entering the cool, A/​C-​blasted confines of the venue.
Only, it wasn’t to be. We walked in (after a through once-​over by both security at the front and the ticket-​taker at the door [who tried to keep my phone]) and immediately realized that the A/​C wasn’t on. We weren’t yet worried — we figured it was early, and that it’d kick in sooner rather than later.
Right when we got in, we made a bee-​line for the merch tables. We were chatting with the girl working Armored Saint’s table, only to find that they weren’t set up to take cards for purchases, so the hubs ran over to the ATM five steps away.
Turns out the ATM would only allow him to withdraw $ 40. It gave him the ridiculous message, «You can withdraw a minimum of $ 20, a maximum of $ 40», and we had to add bank fees to the mix. What the heck kind of machine puts that kind of limit on withdrawls? $ 400, yes — I understand. $ 40? Get real.
Anyway, we make our purchase and I decide now’s the time to use the restroom. And boy howdy, am I ever glad I went early! The women’s restroom is a two-​holer, and there was a lady in the smaller stall that was having a heckuva time that night. She was in there for a while (and didn’t wash her hands when she finally walked out.) There is no door leading in, not that it matters much — just an observation. It was clean-​ish by the time I got there, but I’m imagining all kinds of icky scenarios as the night wore on.
So, bladder emptied, we wandered towards the stage, where the opening band was just getting started. Remember how I said the A/​C wasn’t on when we walked in? It wasn’t on by the time the band started, either.
The lead singer made several jokes about how it was hot up in there, to no avail. The bassist had a rather powerful fan that he had set up to cool him off, and at one point — no lie — he picked it up and turned it towards me because he saw that I was struggling with the heat. Me — a nobody in the audience, doing nothing other than standing appreciating the music — I was in danger of succumbing to the heat. I do appreciate the bassist for hooking a sister up (he said, «I never play a show without this!»), but the venue absolutely should have had that place cooled down long before the music started.
What else can I say? The sound was great, it’s an intimate venue. They only have one way in and one way out, which can be a cluster. And — I don’t understand this — they won’t let you leave once you’ve been «checked in». Why do they bother stamping you if they won’t let you leave?
I’ll come back, of course — they’re bringing in the bands we want to see, after all. I just hope they have some kinks worked out.

Came in for heavy metal trivia on a Monday. Did terrible. Another story. The owners/​employees were exceptionally nice and friendly. I’m not sure I’ve seen that in a long time. No pouty door man, no sassy bartender. Just genuinely nice people! And here’s the thing: this is a real review! I don’t even know these folks! This is how to run a business.

I’ve photographed bands here many times. The Brick has one of the better sound systems and lighting setups in town for a venue of its size. The staff is professional and courteous and I’ve never heard a complaint about the place. I’ve seen many local bands and a few national acts, too.

My Sister got a gig here with her band and I was able to come to town. Hip hip hooray her first performance. I was so glad I could be there for her!
The band Terrible sideshow!
I had such a good time and was so proud of my sis! My sister lives in El Cajon and is in a band with her hubby. They both are from Michigan and I love them both to death!
As for Brick by Brick I got nothing but love for them.
There was a great crowd and they were gracious and showed my sister and her band love!
The drinks were poured hard and heavy and a good time was had by all. I Only had the one experience here but shall never forget. Long live the Terrible sideshow as well as Brick by Brick. Bravo ;)

Bricks stacked on top of other bricks piled brick by brick to reach the top how many Legos in your cup?
Mellow averaged sized bar with craft brew and live music? You know I’m there!
Brick by Brick has been here for a bit they’ve had a good amount of radical bands play here and before this visit it had been quite a wile since I’ve been here!
Tonight was Korpiklaani a awesome band from Finland took the stage and played for the crowd of people rocking out.
The sound was good vocals were clear and the band sounded great! We had a blast in the crowd as this was a good one with an awesomely fun circle pit of dancing!
The bar had a decent amount of beers on tap and the best part of that is that the fist one was only $ 3 with Unilocal Check-​In! Save yourself a few bucks for the next one!
The staff here was nice and we overall had a great time here enjoying beers and live music.
The only real downfall to this venue is parking it’s pretty much in a really industrial area next to warehouses leaving not too much room for parking, we found that you can often find spots on the street so just cruise around until you get lucky!
I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before we return here for another great show and have a rockin good time!
See you in the pit!

Brick by Brick! Hands down one of the best clubs around. This has become one of our favorite places to play. Keep this club alive by coming to the shows, buying there beer and supporting everything they do!

From NY, was told this was a metal bar. Took the $ 10 cab ride to find out the place was closed… On a weekend night! Don’t waste your time. Should have done more research outside my conversation that might, it happens they are closed two days a week and close at midnight another night. Seems like more of a ‘venue’ that is around for shows then an actual bar. Will check out Cherry Bomb while I’m still in town tonight.

I’ve only been here a few times for shows and I have to say, I love it! It’s bad ass and the staff is awesome! 5 stars!

Came here over the weekend partially because I’ve always wanted to check this place out — a San Diego institution that’s been around forever — and because there was finally a band I was also curious to see as well. It’s right off Morena Blvd just a little ways north from Old Town. Don’t bother trying to park in their parking lot unless you’re in one of the bands and need to unload equipment. I parked on Buenos Avenue on the other side of Morena Boulevard. There weren’t too many cars there and I was lucky enough to find some legitimate parking so it was all good. Right behind Bull’s Smokin’ BBQ on the corner of Buenos and Morena you can see the Brick by Brick logo rising above the restaurant. Bar itself is a backwards C-​shaped dive with the stage at the top, bar in the middle and merch table and bathroom at the bottom. Bathroom wasn’t too bad for a dive. Bartenders were very friendly and attentive. I had a Metal Mary — the Brick By Brick version of a bloody mary with 2 olives on a toothpick in it. There was an opening act — forgot the name but they were boring and had an attitude about the fact that the audience (about 20 people during their set — including staff) were not surrounding the stage, cheering their name, throwing underwear, lighting lighters, banging heads, or singing along with all their songs. Referring to the audience as «pussies» will not change anybody’s mind about the abomination they had to tolerate while waiting for the acts they actually came to see. Just sayin’. Next up was a one-​man band called Author & Punisher who was quite a spectacle to watch. I first saw him from a distance at the bar when he started playing and all I saw was this guy with a mask spinning this thing that looked like a drum. It looked like some potter spinning his pottery wheel while suffering a psychotic episode. Then I went to the stage area and from a closer vantage point I watched what looked like some villain from a sci-​fi movie making evil futuristic music by pushing and pulling all sorts of gadgets and singing into masks that distorted his voice. A mindblowing performance — music itself was some sort of industrial doom metal on acid. Finally, the act I came to see was a husband and wife team — band called Jucifer. They live in their RV and tour the country and play shows all the time. They play with a crazy array of multiple speaker cabinets that are actually all used to create a crazy loud wall of sound. While they played, one of the staff stood right next to me with what I assume was a decibel meter. I saw the number 125 and chuckled. Guinness Book of World Records claimed Deep Purple was the loudest band in 1972 at 117dB. Of course, loudest band titles have gone to bands such as Manowar, Blue Cheer, Disaster Area, Kiss, AC/​DC, Led Zeppelin, My Bloody Valentine, Leftfield, Gallows and even Hanson (FFS) — each turning up their amps to 11 and playing a few decibels louder than the band before them. Except those were sound levels in huge theaters and arenas. This was in a little dive the size of your average Applebee’s. I’m sure it was even loud in the bathroom. LOL. I wore earplugs of course. Some folks left after a few minutes because they didn’t have any and could no longer handle the volume. Luckily the venue does have earplugs for sale. The concert itself was a full blown assault on the senses — audio was like that scene from Back To The Future where Michael J Fox gets blown backwards by the speakers into the bookshelf — you could feel the sound the entire time. A blinding light show made sure you could occasionally see guitarist Gazelle Amber Valentine do the metal long hair spinning thing but never really see her face. They rocked out the audience for just a little less than an hour. Good times, good times. Rock over London. Rock on Chicago. Wheaties, breakfast of champions!

Great venue, huge bar albeit with at times not to friendly bar tenders. Watched a couple people stand at the bar waiting to get a berrr but bar tenders just walked on by but not helping anyone. It was very oddddd and surprising no one gave them a WTF rant over it cuz it was most def we’ll deserved.
Stage is pretty big with a large floor for the peeps. Def pop in if u see a band u like. But maybe get trashed first at the much friendlier bar called Sidecar down the street.

Takes a while to get a drink even though it’s a very long bar.
Very spacious in the back so good place to come with a large group.
Too pricey a cover during when local acts are performing.
Good place maybe for an older, biker classic rock crowd.

First of all, you are required to pay a cover and you get stamped on the wrist, but forbidden to leave the premises and reenter. Second, the place has less than 50 patrons on a saturday night. The security has a power trip issue and are way out of line when they address you. I would never recommend this place to anyone.

Maybe it’s because I love dive bars, but I love this place! Great beers, a Maiden Mule to die for and plenty of room for my girls and I to dance around to great music. I’m not usually one for country music, however, I had the best time at the recent Will Hoge, Logan Mize & Kyle Setter show! I couldn’t be more excited for the reopening of Brick and for all the rad /​diverse bands to come. Can’t wait to go back next week to see Metalachi for Halloween!

Went last night. First time there. Not too crowded. There was a punk band playing and I watched them do their thing. I can see how the way they move around bumping into each other and pushing each other could lead to a fight easily but didn’t

The Cashbah beats Brick by Brick as a preferred venue for me. But hey, second place in a city filled with music is a pretty darn good spot!
This place is roomier, and just as difficult to find if you’re not familiar with the area and still far enough away from other good stuff that you’ll do the «well I guess I coulllddd drive…» but then end up doubling your ticket price by paying for a taxi and drinking PBRs. oh well we do it for music.
Usually no in & out privileges which is pretty standard and the bathrooms like about right for a music venue where mosh-​pits happen.
BONUS: Brick by Brick also hosts burlesque shows so keep your eye out for those listings!