We’ve been finding ourselves in Downtown Salisbury more and more lately. Between the 3rd Friday fun and the addition of new restaurants, coffee shops, art studios and bars, it’s no wonder Downtown Salisbury is buzzing. It’s no surprise then that the latest addition, The Brick Room, quickly caught our attention. A peak inside at the tight space outfitted in exposed brick, reclaimed wood tables, and walls adorned with mismatched frames had us eager to get inside for an interview before the Grand Opening next weekend. The team couldn’t have been more welcoming…or excited for the debut of their labor of love. With plans to serve cheese plates, charcuterie, and local desserts coupled with a fantastic line up of beer and wine, The Brick Room is primed to be the latest gem to join the Downtown Salisbury scene.
“This will be the sixth bar downtown,” explained part owner, Blair Carey, this week of Downtown Salisbury’s growing scene. “We’re starting to create a buzz down here…stuff is changing downtown in a really big way.” Carey, along with partner Chris Gilkerson and General Manager Chase Wulff, are hoping to open more than just another bar, rather, they aim to add to the growing and evolving downtown sector of Salisbury. Beyond providing another enticing reason for people to head to Downtown Salisbury, the trio has decided to partner with the local community in a variety of ways, including spotlighting local musicians, supporting area charities, and prominently featuring local breweries and wineries.
Wulff and Carey are veterans of the restaurant business, with each having harbored dreams of running a bar one day. After watching the space sit vacant for several months, Carey, Gilkerson and Wulff decided to act on their dreams. “We thought that we could really do something great here so we just dove right in,” said Carey.
The concept is slightly outside of the box for Salisbury, with a menu composed entirely of beer and wine, cheese plates, charcuterie and desserts. On the beverage front, all of the standard beers will be available by bottle, but draft beers will predominantly be local brews with a local brewery to be featured each month. Wine will follow suit with a local winery to be featured each month as well. With no kitchen on site, food will be simple with desserts brought in from local suppliers. “We are really trying to create a dessert happy hour,” said Carey, explaining that they hope to provide a place for guests to stop in before or after dining at some of the neighboring restaurants. There will also be a ‘Best of the Rest’ menu option. Essentially, Wulff has compiled a list of a few items from downtown restaurants that patrons can order that the staff will either go pick up or have delivered.
Beyond the food and beverages, the space will also be home to local musicians. Wulff and Carey are currently looking for talent to add to their growing list. “We’re trying to work with aspiring artists to provide a fresh vibe for people,” said Carey. In addition to local artists, the trio also hopes to bolster local charities. “Each month we’re selecting a charity that we can donate to that’s local” said Carey, sharing with us a few of their ideas for fundraising nights and various ways to give back to the local community. “Our concept here is really about promoting local business and also local charities” added Wulff.
Currently, The Brick Room is on tap to open Halloween night with their Grand Opening slated for Saturday, November 1st. They plan on being open Wednesday through Saturday 4pm until 2am and Sundays from 4pm until midnight. Mondays and Tuesdays the bar will be closed, however those nights will be dedicated to private parties (holiday party anyone??). The Brick Room will also be offering beer and wine to go, with options to mix-and-match bottled beers for a six-pack. Can’t finish your bottle of wine? No problem, the bartenders will cork the bottle for you to take home with you.
The interior space was one of our favorite parts, evoking the feel of a Fells Point or Brooklyn bar with exposed brick, refurbished wood, and a few modern touches intermixed with an eclectic charm. Perhaps our favorite part? The Pay It Forward board. The splash of chalkboard paint on the wall behind the bar will serve as a space for customers to purchase a beverage for someone and have their name placed on the wall, indicating they have a beer or wine coming their way next time they visit the bar. We were also big fans of the tables that fold up against the wall to allow for more space for mingling and dancing as the night wears on.
Perhaps our biggest (and only) disappointment with our trip to The Brick Room was that it was not actually open yet! It’s always a tease to discuss great food, beer and wine without actually testing our palettes. The solution? We’ll be back soon to review what we’re sure is going to be a fast favorite in our Salisbury dining lineup. Until then…cheers!
**cover photo by SMDi Photography**
