New Orleans Open House at BRICK San Diego

This Summer, BRICK, our flexible San Diego event venue, transformed into a vibrant slice of New Orleans for one unforgettable open house, and it was nothing short of a good time. Designed by Cassidy and Lindsay, the creative minds on 828 Planning’s San Diego team, our NOLA-themed event was a celebration of maximalist design, springtime color, rich tradition, and that unmistakable “laissez les bons temps rouler” energy.

From the moment guests stepped inside, it felt less like entering a venue and more like wandering the glowing streets of the French Quarter on a warm summer night.

The Spark Behind the NOLA Vision

What began as a simple exchange of inspiration quickly evolved into a fully immersive New Orleans experience. Sabrina, the Beverage and Event Manager at BRICK, sent Disney-inspired color palettes to Cassidy — and the inspiration blossomed. Disney has its own New Orleans Square, which sparked the theme and shaped the immersive event design you see throughout the space. From there, the vision deepened through layered references: real brick-lined streets in NOLA, glowing lanterns, lush overgrowth, and even a maximalistNew Orleans–style bar at one of San Diego’s favorite hotels.

Rather than leaning into the darker Mardi Gras aesthetic most people associate with New Orleans, the design team made a deliberate choice to reinterpret the city through a bright, spring-and-summer lens with pastel tones, oysters, light-filled textures, and romantic garden elements. The result was a fresh take on NOLA that felt equal parts joyful, transportive, and elevated.

Collage of images of tablescapes and lounge areas at BRICK San Diego event venue.

Bringing New Orleans to BRICK

One of the most magical parts of this open house was how naturally the theme came to life within within our San Diego event space. With its indoor-outdoor flow and historic brick architecture, the space became the perfect canvas to recreate the feeling of strolling through a New Orleans neighborhood.

Lanterns and plants lined the walkways so guests truly felt like they were wandering city streets. Lush greenery softened the industrial edges of the space, creating that signature New Orleans contrast between grit and garden. Lacy parasols added playful, bright energy and doubled as a subtle nod to wedding traditions seen in cultures around the world.

Parasols and florals lining the brick walls at BRICK San Diego

Rich greens and moody blues reflected the darker, jazz-soaked side of New Orleans, while pastels and light neutrals captured the easy warmth of summer on the Gulf.

A Celebration of New Orleans Culture, Detail by Detail

The magic of this open house lived in the details — and they were everywhere.

Hand-painted oyster shells with gold rims appeared in table settings as both décor and personal touches. A live oyster shucker moved through the space, bringing an unexpected, interactive experience straight from the coast. Guests sipped classic New Orleans-inspired cocktails crafted by the BRICK Beverage team, including a traditional Hurricane and a fan-favorite French 75; a nod to the city’s French roots.

Specialty cocktails at BRICK San Diego New Orleans open house

Live jazz filled the room thanks to a saxophone player who set the tone with soulful, moody sound. Historic patterns, baroque-inspired textures, and vintage-style wallpaper details layered the atmosphere with depth and visual storytelling.

When it came to food, Creole-inspired cuisine stole the show: jambalaya, beignets, and playful Mardi Gras details like bead tosses from our catering partners brought the full sensory experience to life.

Shrimp bites at BRICK San Diego open house

Collage of food items at BRICK San Diego open house

Design Moments That Stopped Everyone in Their Tracks

Several standout moments defined the visual heart of the event:

Hanging installations of cascading ferns and rattan lanterns created a glowing canopy over the central lounge.
Tablescapes featured boldly mixed linens, layered patterns, table lanterns, and oyster accents for an intentional, tactile, and striking design.
The sweetheart table included the most charming detail of all: salt and pepper tucked into oyster shells with tiny spoons.
The parasol altar installation was the visual focal point of the space, drawing guests in with its softness, movement, and romance.
European-style street lamps completed the illusion, making it feel as though guests had stepped onto a New Orleans side street rather than into an event venue in San Diego.
A message on a mirror: “Laissez les bons temps rouler” — let the good times roll — was written on a gold mirror as guests entered the space. That spirit carried through every sip, song, detail, and conversation that night.

Every square foot of BRICK felt layered and alive.

Greenery hanging from the ceiling with rattan light fixtures at BRICK San Diego event venue

When Design Meets Reaction: The Guest Experience

One of the most rewarding parts of the BRICK San Diego open house was seeing how guests responded to the transformation. Attendees lingered in the space, taking it all in, and several even booked their events on the spot.

The lushness of the design became one of the most talked-about elements of the night, from the draping to the abundance of plants woven throughout the venue. One especially meaningful moment came when a group from New Orleans attended specifically because of the theme, and confirmed that the design truly captured the spirit of their city. They shared it with their own community, bringing the energy full circle.

Collage of images from BRICK's open house including a jazz player, gold mirrors and table details

A Proud Milestone for the Design Team

This open house marked a major creative milestone as the first open house designed by Cassidy, making the success of the tablescapes, details, and hands-on oyster elements even more meaningful. For the team as a whole, the most rewarding part was watching guests respond so deeply to the design; proof that thoughtful, layered styling truly resonates.

BRICK and 828 Planner, Cassidy, talking to guests at the open house

Why BRICK Was the Perfect Home for This Theme

New Orleans is a city built on contrast: historic and industrial, refined and wild, structured and overgrown. That same duality lives within BRICK’s walls. The exposed brick, open-air flow, and flexible layout made it possible to blur the line between streetscape and event space, between indoors and outdoors, between real and imagined.

It’s this versatility that allows BRICK to become not just a venue, but a full creative environment.

Three Words That Defined the Night

If this entire experience could be summed up in just three words, they would be:

Maximalist. Lush. Bright.

Lounge area at BRICK San Diego event & wedding venue

Dreaming Up Your Own Styled Event at BRICK San Diego?

The biggest takeaway from this stunning NOLA open house? More is more. When clients embrace bold ideas, immersive details, and thoughtful storytelling, the result is an event that feels unforgettable.

If you’re dreaming of a fully styled, deeply personal celebration, BRICK, a San Diego event venue, is ready to be your canvas. Whether you’re planning a wedding, corporate event, milestone party, or styled shoot, our space was built to transform.

Ready to bring your vision to life at BRICK? Book BRICK San Diego and let’s create something unforgettable, together.

Thank you to our vendor partners for helping us create such a magical event!

Venue + Beverage: BRICK

Planning: 828 Planning San Diego – Cassidy Melton and Lindsay McClure

Catering: Wild Thyme

Catering: Toast Catering

Catering: ArtQuest Catering

Catering: Aphrodite Oysters

Rentals: Platinum Event Rentals

Rentals: Fiesta Party Event Rentals

Rentals: Cedar and Pine Event Rentals

Lighting: SD Social Lights