Timing is everything. Try visiting The Brixton on a night with a big sporting event, and the place will be packed, with no parking to be found. On Cinco de Mayo when the Mexican restaurants were overflowing, you could park in The Brixton parking lot and easily get a table at this gastro brewpub in Santa Monica.

If you’re lucky enough to come at the right time, The Brixton offers Happy Hour daily from 3:30pm-7:30pm daily, with $5 draft beers and $6 house wines. I had a Deschutes Black Butte Porter, which I highly recommend.

The menu has bar bites, like chicken wings to roasted cauliflower, and entrees, like mussels and shrimp  and fried chicken & biscuits. During Happy Hour, select menu items are offered at a $6 discount, including their Veggie Flatbread.

With a pesto base, the flatbread had mushrooms, cauliflower, peppers, asparagus and goat cheese. It exceeded expectations and looked like a work of art. At $9, it seemed like the right price for a light bite – though at $15, it’s a little pricey.

There was a four taco flight special for $10 with chicken mole, fish, peppers and steak. They were so good, that I had a difficult time choosing a favorite – even the peppers were as tasty as its meat counterparts. If they have tacos on the menu, order them!

The Brixton was an pleasant surprise, with food that was way better than what you might expect in a pub. Come here during lunch, and they have a burger and beer special for $15. Great food at a great price – what’s not to like?

Location – 2827 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA, 90405
Website – https://www.thebrixtonsm.com
Kid-Friendly – Yes
Kid’s Menu – No
Vegetarian/Vegan Friendly – Yes
Gluten-Free Options – Yes