advertorial


l to r:


nicholas martinez, alex marin,


george climer


THE RE-BRANDING OF BRICK BAR by kevin plautz


BRICK BY BRICK


The building that sits at 1475 University Avenue in Hillcrest has been evolving now for almost two decades under its owner Alex Marin. The progression continues today with some big changes in store for Brick Bar. “I’ve never been afraid of change and I feel it’s important to keep the space current and relevant for the community. This building was old and dilapidated when I bought it sixteen years ago and we turned the old space into a beautiful Tea House. Five years later we moved the Tea House and opened a wine bar that sold sushi, called Bamboo Lounge and we had a good seven-year run. We realizedmoving forward,we would have to offer more than just wine and sushi to stay competitive in Hillcrest. That is when we became T-Lounge, with a full service bar and became a neighborhood ‘hot spot’ for brunch on our patio. Then, building on the successes of T-Lounge, we developed the current Brick Bar concept, offering more entertainment and events in the venue,” said Marin. To help make Brick Bar live up to its full potential,


a new manager, George Climer was brought in three months ago from Denver and with him at the helm, many new changes have begun to take place. “George comes in with a lot of management experience, and more than anything he fits really well with our staff. He is knowledgeable and I’ve given him the tools to make it work. He’s also a great marketing guru, who we need to help bridge the gap between what we’re attempting to do and how to communicate that to our guests. It’s going to be a slow process, but the change is coming and we’re prepared,” said Marin. The first phases of renovations are complete, with the extension of the patio in front of T-Deli and improvements made to the secret garden at the rear of Brick Bar, which is now lusher, with new greenery and seasonal blooms.


Another exciting addition to the business, is that food will now be served throughout the day and night. A full menu has been put together, which will be prepared by neighbor- ing T-Deli, a nationally ranked restaurant according to YELP. Some tasty items on the new menu include individually handcrafted, mini pizzas, a variety of signature street tacos and gourmet salads, topped deliciously with their own handmade dressings. “Alex is definitely not afraid of change,” said Climer. “He is an extremely intelligent person and one of the hardest working people I’ve ever met. I just feel that this establishment never quite had the right foundation and message to get the community behind it. I want Brick Bar to reach out to our community with a helping hand. I want to work with artists, filmmakers, local organizations and charities to provide a space and an audience for their projects, events and fundraisers.”


Brick Baris located at 1475 University Avenue in Hillcrest. For more information, call 619.291.8221 or check out their Facebook page at


facebook.com/tloungesd.


BRICK BAR DECEMBER EVENTS


DAILY SPECIALS Thursdays - $3 wells Fridays- $5 drafts, $5 wells, $7 Titos till 8 p.m. Saturdays - $5 drafts, $5 wells till 8 p.m. Sundays - Brunch: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with Bottomless Mimosas, $15. Afternoons: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., all you can drink, $20 . Evenings:Game Night, 9 p.m. to midnight


SPECIAL EVENTS 12/1 - World AIDSDayArt Show 12/2 - Industrial Night 12/9 - Black Tie Affair Fundraiser for Hillcrest Youth Center 12/15- Movie Night featuringThe Nightmare Before Christmas, with special guest local filmmaker, Dianna Ippolito 12/16- ‘80s Night 12/22- Club X 12/23- Horton Hears the Bass 12/23- X-mas Party, free food and drinks 12/31- New Year’s Eve (Black Party)


56


RAGE monthly | DECEMBER 2017


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64