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A staple of downtown Houma nightlife for the past decade, the Brickhouse celebrates its 10-year anniversary this month with drink specials and, as always, loud live music.
Kendal Brunet, a 34-year-old Chauvin native with a degree in construction management from Louisiana State University, was one of three locals to buy into the Brickhouse in 2002. He has since bought out his silent partners.
Brunet says his bar emphasizes three facets of nightlife: the vibe, service and hospitality, and variety. “We want there to be something for everyone,” he says.
The bar’s namesake is justified. Bricks line the walls of the tavern and the base of the bar, itself. Excluding a couple of missing patches, brick-themed panels cover the concrete floor, framing the establishment’s coarse ambiance.
As the first of two hard rock bands are introduced, the crowd of about 50 immediately pays respect near the elevated stage situated at the front of the establishment. Two electronic dartboards and a stream of 90s alternative-music hits are powered down when the live music starts, and moments later, the sounds of Uprising echo throughout the three-section building.
The Brickhouse is structured around a straight pathway from the back door to the Main Street entrance. The back room, added on to the building under Brunet’s watch, is little more than a foyer to the bathrooms, which the owner wanted to move away from the bar’s front room. The middle section, well lit and within earshot of the band, features two pool tables and a foosball table.
Most of the action, however, is in the front. The young crowd doesn’t dance, but it listens attentively and applauds the band’s efforts while a timid light show flashes across the ceiling.
Thirty-one cymbals hang from one of the bar’s walls. The autographed collection is bookended by two electric guitars. It hangs near the sound booth, which is covered with logoed stickers of local musicians.
Two small round tables sit at the back end of the floor, also in this area. On the opposite side of the room is the L-shaped bar, with about 15 stools. Two tenders handle the drink orders, and people here drag from cigarettes with their seats directed toward the stage.
Patrons overwhelmingly pay most of their attention to the band, even when it strays from rock-and-roll cover songs and revels in its inventive originals. The crowd is less dance-inclined than it is appreciatory of an art form.
Alex Jenkins, the bar’s 21-year-old manager, says the 18–and-older audience is largely comprised of the bands’ friends – and the age makeup changes on any given night depending on who’s playing – but the youthful patrons don’t rush for the door after Uprising completes its set.
This night is indicative of the Brickhouse’s reputation. The bar features live music seven days a week, with D.J. Cafe on Sunday, Acoustic Jam Night on Monday, the Brickhouse Allstars on Tuesday, Karaoke Night on Wednesday, Cool Pops on Thursday and various bands every Friday and Saturday.
“We do a little bit of something for everybody, from reggae to heavy metal,” Brunet says. “I typically hold the weekends for touring bands, as well as local bands.”
The Brickhouse presented 12 Stones and Alien Ant Farm last year, and Brunet says bands from 38 different states and three foreign countries (Canada, Norway and Ireland) have taken the stage.
“(Alien Ant Farm) had been waiting for a phone call for months, and they actually got it and inked their new record deal while they were sitting out front waiting to play the show,” Brunet says.
Live music is the barroom’s essence, and the stage is its focal point. A 2-foot tall electronic equalizer rests behind the band to add a visual element to the music, which is funneled through a 17,000-watt sound system.
All month long, the bar celebrates its 10th anniversary with $2 domestic beer, $3 import beer, $3 Jagermeister shots and $5 Malibu drinks.
Brickhouse bartender Teresa Mousseau serves customer Robert Dupre during the tavern’s Karaoke Night. The Brickhouse celebrates its 10th anniversary this month with drink specials and, of course, live music.
