The Brickhouse Bar & Grill

JenniferFord

2.23/5  rDev -29%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 2.5 | service: 2.5 | selection: 1.5 | $$$

Friday, 6/20/12 a group of friends and I all gathered at the Brickhouse. The place was full, and there are two round tables by the bar/stage area that are marked VIP, one was empty and no other places to sit, the 8 of us gathered around the table. We have been there before and there was no VIP tables or cover charge. This is a bar and grill. This place has gone to other businesses (ours included) dropping off menus, yet they want to charge cover? The general manager and his gal pal and their friends are the VIPs. If I were an owner or general manager and there were three people, me being one, and only two seats, I would have the paying customers sit down, even if it meant I stood up. We go to Weidmann's frequently and they serve dinner in their bar area and never have we been charged a cover. It is not like the Brickhouse has the best food or band playing. There is really no dance floor, just an area in front of the stage, a path where most walk or gather. No one was dancing. We were told (by the cook from kitchen) we were not allowed to sit at the table we were at and asked to move back to the area by two pool tables. The general manager did not have the decency to tell our husbands, so he had the cook tell us. We are some of Meridian's business elite, we could have gone anywhere, but stopped by the Brickhouse and was treated in this manner. Clearly, the general manager was angry with us and his gestures, tone and expressions was shocking. We complied and moved, after our second round of drinks ($108.00), before the band even played. We all recall seeing him at the pool table with his gal pal and another woman, upon entering the place. Is this a placed designed around him and his female entourage or the public? Is this just a another cheap corner bar or a place they bill as a bar and grill, where one can go to have drinks/dinner? We decided not to order off the menu, because of the rude treatment. Before we could even leave the round table by the bar marked VIP, the general manager's gal pal and her friend sat down after two of my party stood up, as if winning and conquering. We feel there are other places like Weidmann's, The Echo, Rhythm and Brews, BWW we can go eat and have a beer or mixed drink. The man at the door told us they just started the cover charge, last week. How can they be under the guidelines of a restaurant if they are operating solely as a bar? The owners need to look into this matter before the Brickhouse joins the list of other failed businesses in the downtown area. I suggest you go somewhere they appreciate your business and offer more for your money. Dinner and drinks at Weidmann's = no cover, and they have live music. At least you can hear your party of people talk. Afterwards, go to The Echo or Rhythm and Brews and dance on a real dance floor. They would be glad for your business and money and I promise they will not have two large round tables for the general manager to play studman - Jen

07-21-2012 21:09:37 | More by JenniferFord

slatetupelo

Mississippi

3.83/5  rDev +22%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5 | $$

This is my favorite spot in Meridian to grab a beer. I occasionally go during happy hour after work when it's slow. I've only been there once on a Saturday night when it's busy and they have a band playing. During happy hour it's a good place to relax and chat the other few patrons that may be there.

For Meridian their selection is good. The owner and bartender have both stated that they are trying to get everything that they can get their hands on when it comes to beer. If you request it, they'll try to get it. I've been able to find a few seasonals and other beers that I haven't been able to find elsewhere in town. They just added draft beer to their lineup and currently have 4 craft beers on tap.

The food is your average bar food, I enjoy it for what it is.

This bar has only been around a year or two, but it seems like they are constantly working on improvements, including an upstairs bar in the future.

07-11-2012 03:22:41 | More by slatetupelo

TrappistJohnMD

Mississippi

3.35/5  rDev +6.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | food: 2 | $$

Keep in mind that this is Mississippi which is still the beer wasteland of America. We still have 5% abw restriction, but our fingers are crossed.

Stopped in here prior to a Josh Turner concert.

Location is good, right downtown near the Riley Center. Atmosphere is good. This is a sports bar with exposed brick walls, a couple of nice pool tables and a bunch of t.v's along the walls tuned into various sports channels. There is a huge projection screen over the bar with SEC basketball on. A small stage is situated in one corner and I understand they have live music regularly. All of Meridian is non-smoking which adds to the atmosphere.

Service was fair. They were nice but seemed a little preoccupied with setting up tonights band.

Beer selection is good for Mississippi and certainly for Meridian. They got a 4 for effort because their hands are tied here. It's all bottles, but I counted at least about 25 options. Nothing earth shattering but there were several Sam Adams varieties, Rogue, Guiness, Abita, Lazy Magnolia. Would have liked to have seen some Sam Smith, which is available in Meridian. Maybe I just missed it. Glassware is a red solo cup.

Food was edible, but this is definitely not where I would go to eat. Basically it's fried snack food. They also have some burgers.

These guys are obviously trying to bring some variety to Meridian. Hopefully once HB 1422 passes in the MS legislature they will get some really good craft beer in. I hope Meridian will support a craft beer bar, but I have my doubts. Most of the locals were still wearing out the bud light.

03-10-2012 03:46:59 | More by TrappistJohnMD