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The Brixton
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
The Brixton
8.3
This neighborhood gastropub delivers elevated bar food with California flair, anchored by crowd-pleasing dishes like short rib poutine and duck confit fritters alongside classic comfort fare. The daily happy hour and eight-TV sports setup make it equally suited for casual drinks or full dinner service, drawing both locals and visitors since 2015.
Must-Try Dishes:
Short Rib Poutine, Fish & Chips, Corned Beef Reuben
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 8.5
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 8
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Approachable gastropub fare with California touches and daily happy hour specials
Who should go: Sports fans, happy hour seekers, neighborhood regulars
When to visit: Daily happy hour or game days
What to order: Short rib poutine, fish and chips, any burger
Insider tip: The owner Lance personally ensures quality service during slower lunch periods
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking available on Main Street and adjacent blocks - typically easy to find during lunch, tighter after 6pm on weekends. No valet service.
Dress code: Casual neighborhood vibe - jeans and nice tops work perfectly, athleisure acceptable for happy hour
Noise level: Moderately loud during games and peak happy hour, conversational during lunch and early dinner
Weekend wait: 15-30 minutes without reservation during prime dinner hours (7-9pm), walk-ins usually seated faster at the bar
Weekday lunch: No wait typically, immediate seating most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - several solid options including veggie burgers, salads, and appetizers like pretzel bites and Brussels sprouts
Vegan options: Limited - 2-3 modifications possible (salads without cheese, veggie burger without aioli), but not a vegan-focused menu
Gluten-free options: Yes - gluten-free buns available for burgers, several naturally GF options, kitchen accommodates requests
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Solid choice for casual first dates - the noise level allows conversation during off-peak hours, and the approachable menu removes ordering pressure. Skip if you want intimate romance; choose this if you want relaxed, fun vibes.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially for parties of 2-3. Weekday lunches and early dinners (before 6pm) rarely require reservations. Weekend prime time (7-9pm) can mean a short wait, but the bar area seats walk-ins immediately.
Is it kid-friendly? Very kid-friendly - children's menu available, high chairs provided, and the casual gastropub atmosphere welcomes families. Best for ages 5+ who can handle moderate noise. Avoid during late-night happy hours when the sports bar crowd dominates.
Good for business lunches? Excellent for business lunches - the owner Lance ensures attentive service during quieter lunch periods, noise levels stay conversational, and the menu offers crowd-pleasing options that don't slow down meetings. Typical lunch runs 45-60 minutes.
How's the happy hour deal? Daily happy hour features discounted appetizers and drinks - strong value for the quality. Runs weekdays 3-6pm, draws a reliable crowd. The short rib poutine at happy hour pricing is particularly smart ordering.
Best For
Better for: Choose The Brixton when you want elevated gastropub food without pretension, reliable quality across the menu, and flexibility (works equally well for solo bar dining, group gatherings, or business lunches). The daily happy hour and sports-friendly setup give it more versatility than purely dining-focused competitors.
Skip if: You want quiet romance, cutting-edge culinary innovation, or a dedicated cocktail program. Also skip during major sporting events if you're noise-sensitive - the eight TVs and sports bar atmosphere dominate during games.
The Brixton
8.1
London-inspired gastropub since 2009 serving elevated comfort food with global twists in a lively sports bar setting. Daily happy hour from 3:30-7:30pm features discounted appetizers, craft cocktails, and drafts alongside eight TVs for game-watching.
Must-Try Dishes:
Short Rib Poutine, Mac & Cheese, Fish and Chips
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 7.9
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Seven-day-a-week happy hour with free parking lot behind restaurant
Who should go: Sports fans and groups seeking elevated pub fare
When to visit: Daily 3:30-7:30pm, or weekend brunch with bottomless mimosas
What to order: Short rib poutine, Reuben sandwich, craft cocktails
Insider tip: Free parking in back lot beats typical Santa Monica parking hassles
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free parking lot behind restaurant - rare Santa Monica perk that saves $10-15 in typical area parking fees
Dress code: Casual sports bar attire - jeans, t-shirts welcome, no dress code enforced
Noise level: Lively to loud - sports TVs create ambient noise, better for groups than intimate conversations
Weekend wait: 20-30 min for bar seating, 45+ min for tables during big games without reservation
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait, walk-ins typically seated within 10 minutes
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - multiple options including veggie burgers, salads, and meat-free versions of pub classics
Vegan options: Limited - 2-3 adaptable options, call ahead for modifications to ensure availability
Gluten-free options: Available - gluten-free buns and some naturally GF options, ask server about cross-contamination protocols
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for second or third date if you both like sports. The lively atmosphere and TVs make deep conversation challenging, but happy hour drinks and shared appetizers create a relaxed, low-pressure vibe.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Weekday happy hours yes, weekends maybe. Bar seating is first-come during 3:30-7:30pm happy hour. For weekend evenings or game days, reserve ahead or expect 30-45 min wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for families with older kids (8+) who enjoy sports bar energy. Weekend brunch is most family-appropriate. Later happy hours skew adult crowd. No dedicated kids menu but burgers and fries satisfy young eaters.
How's the happy hour compared to other Santa Monica spots? Superior value - seven-day consistency beats most competitors' weekday-only deals. Free parking adds $10-15 saved value. Food quality exceeds typical happy hour bar snacks with gastropub-level execution.
Can I watch my team's game here? Absolutely - eight TVs showing multiple games simultaneously. Call ahead for major events to request specific game placement or table near your preferred screen.
Best For
Better for: Consistent daily happy hour (beats weekday-only competitors), free parking (rare in Santa Monica), elevated pub food quality over typical sports bars, accommodating large groups with varied tastes, watching multiple games simultaneously
Skip if: You want quiet romantic ambiance, need extensive vegan options, prefer craft beer focus over full bar, seeking cutting-edge culinary innovation, want oceanfront Santa Monica views