Lego-inspired Brick Bar to pop into town this summer One million Lego bricks + plenty of beer = Big nostalgia trip By: Gabrielle Piché Posted: 7:00 PM CDT Tuesday, Apr. 5, 2022

IT’S a night out made for Lego lovers.

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This article was published 04/04/2022 (950 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

IT’S a night out made for Lego lovers.

The Brick Bar, a Lego-inspired pop-up, is coming to Winnipeg. Its sculptures, entertainment and fountain (a Lego-like head with water draining out the mouth) will transform Torque Brewing on June 17 and 18.

One million bricks will be scattered around the brewery.

SUPPLIED PHOTOCustomers get 90 minutes to play around with the blocks — sticking them to walls, piecing them together, playing ping pong on a table made with over 22,000 of the small bricks.

“The idea is it’s just a big nostalgia trip with plenty of good beer,” said Josie Cannon, Torque Brewing’s taproom manager.

She’s hoping to create a few masterpieces herself, brew in hand, when she’s not working.

Customers get 90 minutes to play around with the blocks — sticking them to walls, piecing them together, playing ping pong on a table made with over 22,000 of the small bricks.

Building competitions will be abundant, as will prizes, Cannon said.

“There’ll probably be some free beers up for grabs,” she said.

The pop-up comes with a wishing well made of blocks. Live music will be on site.

The partnership between Torque Brewing and Viral Ventures, creators of The Brick Bar, came unexpectedly, Cannon said.

“I was shocked,” she said of receiving the initial email.

The Brick Bar has travelled the United States — including Chicago and New York — and overseas to cities like London and Sydney. It began in 2018.

SUPPLIED PHOTOOne ticket is $22, though kids under age six can get in for free. After six p.m., folks must be at least 18 years old to enter.

“It’s the first time we are launching in Winnipeg, in fact this is our first Canadian opening,” a spokeswoman for The Brick Bar said in an email.

The bar is not affiliated with the Lego brand, she wrote.

Viral Ventures contacted Torque Brewing and a few other Winnipeg venues mid-March to see who’d be interested in hosting them, Cannon said. She consulted her bosses and sent an OK back within 48 hours.

“It’s kind of a new adventure, so we’re all very excited,” she said.

And, with the hospitality industry taking “a bit of a beating” over the past two years, it’s a good way to bring in customers, she said.

“It’s going to be the first summer that we’re allowed to be fully open for a long time, so we’re… open to any kind of weird and wonderful events,” Cannon said. “The weirder the better.”

There’s been little advertising for the bricks’ arrival at 330-830 King Edward St.; still, the brewery has gotten several inquiries and tickets are selling.

One ticket is $22, though kids under age six can get in for free. After six p.m., folks must be at least 18 years old to enter.

SUPPLIED PHOTOThe Brick Bar has travelled the United States — including Chicago and New York — and overseas to cities like London and Sydney. It began in 2018.

“If the ticket sales go really well and there’s still a high demand for it, then we’ll look into doing more sessions on the Sunday,” Cannon said.

She and the bartenders are concocting Lego-themed drinks for the night.

Folks can bring their own food. There won’t be any available for purchase, Cannon said. The pop-up will run from 5 to 11 p.m. on June 17 and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on June 18.

Tickets are available at thebrickbars.com.

gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com