Venice’s legendary The Brig celebrates 70 years Oct 22 with 70-cent well drinks, free tattoos, Kogi food truck, live bands & DJs. Abbot Kinney icon since 1952.
When an iconic Venice bar that launched the LA food truck revolution, survived seven decades of neighborhood transformation, and maintained its bohemian soul through gentrification announces its 70th anniversary celebration, you know you’re witnessing living history.
The Brig, established in 1952 by Golden Gloves boxer “Babe” Brandelli and now owned by Dave and Patti Reiss (Reiss Co – Nueva, The Alibi Room & Vito’s Pizza) alongside Jared Meisler (Nueva, Roger Room, Bar Lubitsch, The Friend & The Little Friend), celebrates 70 years on Sunday, October 22, 2022 with 70-cent well drinks from 2:00-4:00 pm, complimentary Brig tattoos by local tattoo artist, limited edition hats and tee shirts, all-day/all-night bands and DJs including The Brig Band, DJ Dred Foxx, DJ Illa, and DJ Jayvon, plus food trucks operating day to night including the world-famous Kogi Truck, fitting tribute since The Brig’s parking lot served as launching space for several well-known trucks during LA’s food truck explosion in the early 2000s.
From Beverly Hills to Santa Monica to West Hollywood who appreciate Venice’s authentic character before tech money and luxury developments transformed Abbot Kinney Boulevard into high-end shopping destination, The Brig represents rare survival—a weathered bar with bohemian charm that serves as gateway to the neighborhood’s premier dining and shopping mecca while maintaining the diverse spirit that made Venice legendary.
A portion of all proceeds benefits St. Joseph Center, ensuring this anniversary celebration gives back to the community that’s supported The Brig for seven decades.
The Brig’s History: From Golden Gloves Boxer to Venice Icon
Babe Brandelli’s original The Brig, established in 1952, boasts bohemian charm and charisma reflecting the neighborhood’s diverse spirit. When travelers first glimpse The Brig’s iconic sign above the illustration of renowned Golden Globes boxer and former owner “Babe” Brandelli, they know they’ve arrived in the heart of the Abbot Kinney district.
That 1952 founding date places The Brig’s origins in post-WWII Venice when the neighborhood functioned as working-class beach community—a far cry from today’s multimillion-dollar real estate and celebrity residents. “Babe” Brandelli, the Golden Gloves boxer who established the bar, brought athletic fame and local credibility that helped The Brig become community gathering place rather than just another drinking establishment.
The name “The Brig” carries nautical connotations (a brig is a two-masted sailing vessel, and “the brig” is naval slang for ship’s jail), fitting for Venice’s beach location and the independent, slightly outlaw spirit that’s always defined the neighborhood’s character.
Once through the weathered door, guests are greeted by a refreshed mid-century interior, influenced by the popular modern stylings during the early years of “Babe” Brandelli’s Brig. This design philosophy honors the bar’s history—it’s not preserved in amber as 1952 museum piece, nor has it been gutted and modernized beyond recognition. Instead, The Brig strikes balance between honoring mid-century roots and providing refreshed, comfortable space for contemporary guests.
At the rear of the bar is entrance to an expansive patio, flanked by the famed Art Mortimer mural-within-a-mural—outdoor space that’s become essential to LA drinking culture’s appeal, particularly in Venice where perfect weather and bohemian outdoor culture have always defined neighborhood life.
For upscale audiences throughout Los Angeles who’ve watched Venice transform from counterculture beach community to tech hub to luxury destination, The Brig represents tangible connection to neighborhood’s authentic past. This isn’t nostalgic recreation—it’s actual survival.
The Brig’s Role in LA’s Food Truck Revolution
The Brig has been instrumental in the Los Angeles food truck explosion in the early 2000s with its parking lot serving as launching space for several well-known trucks. In commemoration of the anniversary, The Brig has organized food trucks operating from day to night, including the world-famous Kogi Truck.
This historical contribution deserves emphasis because LA’s food truck revolution—which began roughly 2008-2010 with Roy Choi’s Kogi BBQ truck serving Korean-Mexican fusion tacos—fundamentally transformed American food culture. Food trucks evolved from basic catering operations and roach coaches serving construction sites into legitimate culinary destinations where serious chefs launched concepts, built followings, and eventually opened brick-and-mortar restaurants.
The Brig’s parking lot provided crucial infrastructure for this movement: centralized location in Venice’s walkable neighborhood, established bar generating foot traffic and customers already primed to spend money on food and drinks, permissive ownership willing to host trucks rather than viewing them as competition, and bohemian atmosphere where culinary experimentation felt natural.
Kogi Truck’s participation in the 70th anniversary celebration represents full-circle moment—the truck that arguably launched modern food truck culture returning to one of the parking lots that provided early staging ground. For foodies and culinary historians, this connection matters significantly. According to food culture observers, LA’s food truck movement influenced urban food scenes nationwide, demonstrated social media’s power for restaurant marketing (Kogi famously used Twitter to announce locations), and proved that serious chefs could build audiences outside traditional restaurant models.
For The Brig’s anniversary to feature day-to-night food truck operations including Kogi honors this legacy while providing festival-like atmosphere where guests can eat excellent food alongside drinks, live music, and celebration.
70-Cent Well Drinks and Anniversary Specials
The centerpiece promotion—70-cent well drinks from 2:00-4:00 pm—represents extraordinary value that honors the 70-year milestone while making celebration accessible to Venice locals who remember when the neighborhood wasn’t prohibitively expensive.
Well drinks (cocktails made with bar’s house/bottom-shelf spirits rather than call/premium brands) typically cost $8-12 in Los Angeles bars, with Venice’s Abbot Kinney district commanding premium pricing. Offering them for 70 cents—even for limited two-hour window—represents genuine generosity that invites community participation rather than excluding people through pricing.
The 2:00-4:00 pm timing ensures afternoon crowd gets first access to deals while preventing the logistical chaos that would result from offering 70-cent drinks during peak evening hours. It also encourages early arrival, allowing guests to secure spots before venue fills for all-day/all-night entertainment.
Complimentary Brig tattoos by local tattoo artist provide permanent souvenirs for guests willing to commemorate the anniversary literally. Offering free tattoos—even small, simple designs—demonstrates commitment to creating memorable experience beyond typical bar promotion. For Venice’s tattoo-friendly, bohemian culture, this fits perfectly.
Limited edition hats and tee shirts (while supplies last) provide collectible merchandise for guests who want anniversary souvenirs without permanent ink commitment. These items will likely become valuable to Brig devotees and Venice memorabilia collectors as tangible artifacts from historic milestone.
The all-day/all-night bands and DJs—including The Brig Band, DJ Dred Foxx, DJ Illa, and DJ Jayvon—ensure continuous entertainment from afternoon through closing. This programming strategy creates festival atmosphere where arriving at different times throughout day/night offers distinct experiences while maintaining celebratory energy.
A portion of all proceeds benefits St. Joseph Center—Venice-based nonprofit serving homeless and low-income individuals through housing, mental health services, and supportive programs. This charitable component ensures The Brig’s celebration gives back to community rather than simply extracting value through increased sales.
The Brig’s Drink Menu: Mojitos and Boxing-Themed Cocktails
The Brig’s regular drink menu reflects both Venice’s beach culture and the bar’s boxing heritage through thoughtfully constructed offerings:
Mojitos Menu includes creative variations on the classic Cuban cocktail:
- SPICY – Havana Club Rum, Mint, Lime & Thai Bird Chili
- MEZCAL – Mal Bien Mezcal, Mint & Lime
- ABSINTHE – Pernod Absinthe, Mint & Lime
These variations demonstrate how classic cocktail templates can be reimagined through spirit substitutions and flavor additions that create entirely new drinking experiences while honoring original structure.
House Cocktails feature boxing-themed names honoring the bar’s founder:
- BANTAMWEIGHT – Passion Fruit, Aperol & Prosecco
- KNOCK OUT – Vodka, Cucumber, Mint, Ginger & Crushed Ice
- DOWN BY LAW – Rye Whisky, Fernet Branca & Angostura Bitters, Stirred and Served Up
- SOUTHPAW – Reposado Tequila, Hibiscus, Mandarin, Averna, Served Tall & Over Ice
- MAIN EVENT – Blanco Tequila, Ancho Chili, Pineapple, Lime, Served Tall & Over Ice
- SLUGGER – Bourbon, Barenjager Honey Liqueur, Lemon, Habanero Bitters, Stirred & Served on the Rocks
Shot & Beer Menu pairs spirits with beer while naming each combination after legendary boxers:
- “BABE” BRANDELLI – Bourbon + Rolling Rock Bottle
- JULIO “EL CESAR” CHAVEZ – Tequila + Carta Blanca Bottle
- RAY “BOOM BOOM” MANCINI – Ferrari (Half Fernet/Half Campari) + Peroni Bottle
- JAMES “LIGHTS OUT” TONEY – Elijah Craig + IPA Can
- “MARVELOUS” MARVIN HAGLER – Mezcal + Grapefruit Radler Can
These boxing references honor “Babe” Brandelli’s athletic legacy while creating menu that functions as both drink list and tribute to sport’s greatest figures. For boxing fans and sports enthusiasts, ordering the “Babe” Brandelli shot-and-beer becomes participatory homage to the bar’s founder.
The Ownership: Preserving Venice Character While Embracing Evolution
Current ownership by Dave and Patti Reiss (Reiss Co – Nueva, The Alibi Room & Vito’s Pizza) and Jared Meisler (Nueva, Roger Room, Bar Lubitsch, The Friend & The Little Friend) brings impressive hospitality credentials to The Brig’s stewardship.
This ownership team operates multiple respected LA bars and restaurants, suggesting they understand both business realities and cultural importance of maintaining each venue’s distinct character. Their portfolio includes:
Nueva – upscale Latin restaurant The Alibi Room – Culver City cocktail bar and restaurant Vito’s Pizza – LA pizza institution Roger Room – West Hollywood craft cocktail bar (featured earlier in this collection) Bar Lubitsch – West Hollywood European-style bar The Friend & The Little Friend – Silver Lake bars
This diverse portfolio demonstrates capability to operate different venue types successfully while preserving each location’s unique identity rather than imposing corporate homogeneity. For The Brig, this means ownership that respects 70-year history and Venice character while making necessary updates to remain viable business.
The “refreshed mid-century interior” reflects this philosophy—honoring original aesthetic while creating comfortable, functional space for contemporary guests. Many historic bars either freeze in time (becoming museums that feel dated) or gut renovations that erase history. The Brig’s approach threads needle between preservation and evolution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is The Brig’s 70th anniversary celebration and what are the main attractions?
A: The Brig celebrates its 70th anniversary Sunday, October 22, 2022 (note: article text says October 23 but title says October 22—verify directly with venue). Main attractions include 70-cent well drinks from 2:00-4:00 pm, complimentary Brig tattoos by local artist, limited edition hats/tee shirts, all-day/all-night live bands and DJs (The Brig Band, DJ Dred Foxx, DJ Illa, DJ Jayvon), and food trucks including world-famous Kogi Truck.
Q: Where is The Brig located and what makes it historically significant?
A: The Brig is located in Venice, California on Abbot Kinney Boulevard—serving as gateway to the neighborhood’s premier dining and shopping district. Established in 1952 by Golden Gloves boxer “Babe” Brandelli, the bar has survived 70 years of neighborhood transformation while maintaining bohemian character. The Brig was instrumental in LA’s food truck revolution in early 2000s, with its parking lot serving as launching space for several well-known trucks including Kogi.
Q: Does the anniversary celebration support any charitable causes?
A: Yes. A portion of all proceeds from the anniversary party benefits St. Joseph Center, a Venice-based nonprofit serving homeless and low-income individuals through housing, mental health services, and supportive programs.
Q: What is The Brig’s regular drink menu like?
A: The Brig offers creative mojito variations (Spicy, Mezcal, Absinthe), boxing-themed house cocktails (Bantamweight, Knock Out, Southpaw, Main Event, Slugger), and shot-and-beer combinations named after legendary boxers including “Babe” Brandelli, Julio Cesar Chavez, Ray Mancini, James Toney, and Marvin Hagler. Visit TheBrig’s website for complete drink and spirits menu.
Celebrate 70 Years of Venice History at The Brig
The Brig’s 70th anniversary represents more than bar milestone—it’s celebration of Venice’s survival as neighborhood with authentic character, bohemian spirit, and community spaces that welcome everyone rather than just those who can afford luxury pricing.
For upscale audiences throughout Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, and greater Los Angeles who appreciate Venice for its artistic legacy, beach culture, and independent spirit—rather than just Instagram-worthy shopping and dining—The Brig’s anniversary offers chance to experience and support the kind of establishment that made Venice legendary.
Seven decades of service through countless neighborhood transformations, economic cycles, and cultural shifts deserves recognition. The Brig’s decision to celebrate with 70-cent drinks, free tattoos, food trucks, live entertainment, and charitable donations demonstrates gratitude to community that’s sustained them while inviting everyone to participate regardless of budget.
Join the celebration Sunday, October 22 (verify date directly with venue) for 70-cent well drinks 2:00-4:00 pm, all-day/all-night entertainment, food trucks including Kogi, and the chance to be part of Venice history. Whether you’ve been drinking at The Brig for decades or this is your first visit, this anniversary celebration honors past while toasting future.
Here’s to 70 years of The Brig—and to the next 70 years of serving Venice’s diverse, creative, fun-loving community.
Hell yeah!