Meet Dave Reiss of The Brig

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dave Reiss.

Hi Dave, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Dave Reiss bought The Brig in 1999, but The Brig was originally opened in the same location in 1952 by “Babe” Brandelli, a Golden Globes boxer. The iconic original sign over the entrance still features “Babe” Brandelli and reflects the bar’s storied past. At the rear of the bar is the entrance to an expansive patio, flanked by the famed Art Mortimer mural-with-in-a mural

http://www.artmortimer.com/Pages/Brandelli.html

Upon possession of The Brig, Dave Reiss made minor improvements–paint here and there—but mainly operated The Brig as it was. After a year of operation, Dave closed the bar for two months and implemented a revolutionary and modern re-design and re-opened in 2021.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The environment on Abbot Kinney in the new millennium was challenging. Unlike it is today, Abbot Kinney Boulevard was grungier. What was a dive bar before and at the time Dave Reiss acquired The Brig, he wanted to create a neighborhood spot that reflected his design sensibilities, a little edgy, not too slick yet original.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Owner of:
The Brig
Gin Rummy
Alibi Room

Partner:
Best Friend, Las Vegas with Roy Choi

Also owned:
Red, Hollywood
Club Sugar, Santa Monica
A-Frame (chef: Roy Choi), Culver City
Salt Air, Venice
Yours Truly, Venice
Postscript pop-up, Venice

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Dave had worked with Sean MacPherson–a current renowned LA/NY tastemaker, hotelier and bar owner/restaurateur–to open a LA iconic uber-hip restaurant in the 90’s called, The Olive. Dave worked closely with Sean, absorbing his business and operational acumen. After successfully managing The Olive and establishing it as a popular destination, Dave left The Olive to start a tech business but ultimately felt the pull of the hospitality world and
built and opened another iconic LA restaurant in Hollywood called, Red.

In 1998, Dave opened Club Sugar in Santa Monica. Club Sugar was one of the first music clubs in Los Angeles to host world-renown DJ’s.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thebrig.com
• Instagram: @thebrigvenice
• Facebook: The Brig