The Brig

Came here on a Friday night and wow, it’s packed! Waited about five minutes to get in at the door.
It’s dingy, it’s noisy, and it has a pool table. This is the place you go to hear nothing and everything. Even though it was extremely crowded, it was pretty easy to get a bartender’s attention. Average price for drinks, as expected. I wouldn’t come here if you were trying to have an intimate time with friends. I would recommend this place if you want the option to meet new people and then walk away from them when you get bored.
If you’re trying to play pool, good luck, because they get serious and the wait gets long.

Having a bit of a laugh at some of the reviews here. Of course this bar is packed and full of drama on weekend nights — it’s now the only bar on Abbot Kinney with a DJ and dancing. If you’re a local, or a chill visitor that patronizes this bar anytime other than Friday and Saturday late night, you can expect: fantastic classic cocktails, a very fairly priced and EXTENSIVE liquor list, friendly, proficient bartenders, and a diverse lineup of DJs. This place is a Venice staple that, in the last few years, has managed to strike a balance between keeping up with Abbott Kinney’s growth and not alienating the local crowd that has been here all along. On any given weekday evening you can find everything from business men playing pool with local hipsters, to classy couples having a drink before dinner, ladies having girls night glasses of wine, regulars chatting and watching the game, and plenty of tinder dates. There is a different DJ with a different style of music every night, rotating cocktail and liquor specials, and tons of special events. This bar has so much personality and really has something for almost everyone.

The place has always been a trendy young person Hang out. However after moving to Huntington Beach after growing up in SM/​Venice I figured I’d stop by for a beer. It’s still a happening spot for the young, trendy crowd that has infiltrated the area in recent years. No problem at all with that. However what really turned me off of the place was when I ordered a Ballast point Sculpin IPA, the bartender came back with a can and said «$ 10». Not even a tall can. So I heckled the guy a little and asked if I’d get a deal for buying a 6pack. He laughed and said, «the deal is $ 60 for a 6 pack». So that’s more than staples center. Pretty shameful. Bar tender didn’t seem too happy about having to charge me $ 12 (w a tip) for a can of local beer. So that’s why I’ll never come back, and you get 1 star. Environment is good, always cute ladies and good music. However, the principle for me of paying that much money for a can of mediocre beer, in a place where, less than 10 years ago it was a dive bar seems a bit suspect. Definitely the type of place you smuggle shooters into and order a coke from the bar.

We’ve been here at least twice… While it’s a famous, old school dive bar (seen in movies and just an old school spot), don’t expect much more than … well, a dive bar.
–It gets busy (and was during our first visit… as in so annoyingly busy we left)
+It was not too busy when we were there around 5pm on First Friday… but that was also because everyone was probably still trying to get parking and we just happened to get off early.
+There is a decent amount of space.
+/​-​There is an OK amount of seating.
+There is a pool table.
— There is one bathroom for women… I think bars and restaurants should always have at least 2 stalls for the ladies. It becomes an issue when it is busy.
— They only had one bartender on at the time we were there this time. We had to wait a bit for service and it took a minute for her to look past the people with actual bar stools.
— The vibe is a bit trendy for a dive bar… and a little pretentious too.
Bottom Line — Trendy, dive bar. Oxymoron?

I’ll keep this short and you can read the rest on my blog or just download my podcast.
This place has everything! Man buns, V-​necks, music that doesn’t exist yet, a bike rack, microbrews, flannels, etc.
Well, not everything (I ran out of mustache wax and I had to go across the street) but they make a valiant effort.
So put on your favorite PBR shirt, hop on your fixie, and come nod apathetically while someone tells you about their Kickstarter campaign or crossfit progress.
It’s the real LA.
#notoriousBRIG

Great cocktails! Bathroom was kind of gross and there seemed to be a lot of unused space so there were not a lot of options for seating during the daytime. Fun place though and there’s a great food truck outside. Nice to grab some tacos and a few drinks.

We’d just finished a sprouted almond 5^th degree vegan dinner around the corner. It was amazing, the food was delivered by sustainable drones that we were able to eat for dessert. My man bun needed to feel some freedom so we went out looking for a dive bar. When I say dive bar, of course I mean something that resembles a dive bar (not an actual dive bar, plus, the smell of urine and lack of toilet paper really blows out my scene) then we stumbled upon the brig. All the dive, 95% less urine smell. Love it

Such a cool atmosphere! It’s gives off good vibes as you walk in. It also has such a diverse group of people.
When my friend and I sat at the bar we were greeted by this lady with some Bostonian accent. Not friendly at all. We tried to joke with her to liven her up, but no. And on top of that, the below average looking bartender is on her phone the whole time.
If I was a manager, I’d recognize that’s how you lose potential business. It’s your job to mingle with guests and get them to come back.
Good music though!

If I could give them a zero I would. Unprofessional, nasty hole in the wall. Plenty of other spots in Venice. Avoid!

been hear several times, love the pool table, there aren’t enough bars that have pool tables anymore! especially not in that area.
the bartenders here are awesome and they make strong balanced drinks.
the only complaint is the awful djs this place gets, the last 3 Friday nights I’ve been the dj was terrible.
oh, and this place can get crazy busy! and they pack people in like sardines .
but it’s a great afternoon/​night out.

Nice Hangout bar. Stopped by on a Sunday afternoon to watch the football AFC and NFC championships. The bar was quiet around 1pm, but got pretty crowded after an our of two. The drinks were very good and strong. They also have pool and some other games that you can play if you dont want to sit at the bar or lounge.

I love coming to this bar! It’s close to home, they play good music, great drinks, and it’s very diverse. I’ve never had to wait in line when I’ve came here. And no not because I’m a girl but the lines go rather quickly in. Don’t get me wrong this place does get packed. They have a couple tables if you’d like to sit down and a dance floor if you want to get your boogie on. They have a good selection of music, hip hop. Bartenders are quick and friendly, and make good drinks. They also have a pool table, not that I’ve ever played but just in case you’re into that kind of thing. My friends and I always guaranteed a good time here.

The place is full of pretentious Los Angeles D bags. The sad thing is… it would have a lot of potential if it wasn’t for the guys that go there… a bunch of Amateurs with big heads on the pool table. The first time I went there I had some idiot come up to me and attack me for giving a homeless man $ 2. The homeless man was living out of his van with his entire family. The second time I had a guy hit me as I was shooting a bank shot on the 8 ball… I still made the shot… and after I waved and told him to go home. He then tried to fight me… bouncer fortunately… finally kicked him out after the fact. As a former bouncer back in the day… I can say they do not handle it when they should… they seem to wait for a comfrontation to occur and act after the fact. I went back last night to give it one last chance… and same thing… more drama from halfwit hipsters who know nothing. I AM DONE. NEVER GOING BACK. If you want to play pool any other place on the west side is better.

Good Friday night DJ with more hiphop as the night progresses.

Love the comfy bar-​stool chairs, Travis the bartender, fabulous Japanese scotch, fud trucks outside, clean bathrooms, billiards, the couches… what’s not to love, dear Unilocalers.

Garbage, trash… a great place for sloppy alcoholics. Dirty. Smelly. Parking is terrible.

The drink prices weren’t all that bad for what we ordered, but they make up for it by over charging you card! It’s really dark and sleazy… It’s just gross!

drinks and good music… yep

I could see how this place could get a bad wrap. But, I didnt have a bad time either of the times I stopped in. The first time was a full on raging evening and the crowd was top-​notch. The second time was a day session and we were the only people in there to watch some football and hang out.
The bartenders are killer. Nice. Speedy. Attentive and pour a heavy little drink… in a good way. The vibe is cool with the pool table in the back and the open air front. Solid.
I will be back and I will enjoy this little nugget in Venice.

Pro: positive and laid back crowd
Cons: abusive bouncers

Wish I could give this place 0 stars
Newsflash. If security is already checking IDs at the bar and I’ve already bought a drink. Why would you then decide to ID me for my second one. Yeah I’m talking about the long curly haired douche bartender. Get over yourself and by the way as a bartender you suck. How hard is it to mix an armaretto with coke? You suck the blonde was way better.

I’ve always loved this bar. A little more divey than a lot of the other bars on Abbot Kinney.
The crowd here is always different. Sometimes it’s an older crowd and other times it’s younger and more of a hipster crowd. That’s the beauty of Venice, it’s very diverse.
This place has a cool atmosphere. They play good music and cocktails are good.
There’s usually some sort of food truck parked right out front and the bar will allow you to bring the food in the bar too. They have a decent amount of seats and one pool table.
Friendly bartenders. Worth checking out if you’re into the bar scene.

If you’re looking for trouble, you’ll find it in the ladies room. You’ll know what I’m talking about when you go there. Solid drinks. The place grows on you. This is the stuff of legends. Best bar on Abbott Kinney Blvd.

Would you believe me if I told you that a valley girl came to a bar on Abbott Kinney on a Friday night, found free parking, no fuss entry and good drinks? Neither would I, and I was there.
I’d heard this place described as an «upscale dive bar» and being Venice I really wasn’t sure what that meant… well it turns out it meant a really cool place to spend a Friday night. Now this means different things to different people… but for me, it meant a fun and diverse crowd, heavy handed and friendly bartenders and an AMAZING DJ.
The place was abuzz by the time we got there at 10pm on Friday 7/​24, the music wafted in the air outside as the surprisingly friendly bouncers carded me (LOL — Thanks Guys!). We found easy access to the long bar but noticed that most of the lounge areas were already spoken for. The gal behind the bar was generous with the gin and soon enough we were shaking our booties to the awesome music that was playing and it was the beginning of a fab girls night out… even in heels in Hipster– Ville Venice!

A local dive bar. Good enough. Ordered a negroni and a vodka water for the olé lady. Nothing to crazy here, you can see where they have a dj at night. Service was standard, restrooms were cool and retro. Could use a little cleaning and maintenance. If this place was more bumping it would be a cool stop along a run of fun bars.

Fun late Thursday night!
This small spot was filled with people dancing out of the way of people playing pool and those mingling with drinks. Still, we got quick attention at the bar. I’m a fan of dancy bars and would return. I’ve also popped in on a Monday or Tuesday night and no one at all was there, so we went elsewhere.

A good dive bar in Venice Beach.
The bar has an open vibe and they have a couple pool tables to the back. The seating is all pretty cool too. Lots of miss-​match pieces and benches that really give the bar some character. The bar does not have any beer on tap but you would miss those since the cocktails are amazing!
The bartenders really care about the drink they are serving you. They keep fresh fruit for garnish and flavor. I had a rum martini and a mojito both were amazing and some of the best I’ve had. My girlfriend had a gin cucumber drink that she was dying over! The bartenders were really friendly too!
If we ever make our way back to Vince Beach I will definitely hit this place up.

I dropped in here while hanging out at First Fridays.
Decent music, although it started and stopped randomly. There’s a pool table to keep you entertained, and drinks are cheap.
Random observations: It was 80% guys when I went. Also, they have those single-​person use bathrooms which are a horrible idea at any bar IMO. What if you really have to pee and some drunk person is throwing up? The worst.
Overall, nothing bad nothing great.