Overview: Brisa Restaurant & Bar celebrates the holidays
“This year we really wanted to focus on supporting families in need. We’ve partnered with a local women’s shelter to host a toy drive throughout the season, where guests can drop off new, unwrapped toys directly at the restaurant. Our kitchen team is also preparing full holiday meals that we’ll be delivering to the shelter so the women and children there can enjoy a warm, festive dinner.”
It’s the most wonderful time of year: Christmas pop-up season.
Brisa Restaurant & Bar, a San Diego cocktail destination known for its atmosphere and curated craft beverage experience, recently launched its own festive pop-up, open through the holiday season.
The holiday transformation features a lineup of festive cocktails, immersive décor, and a cozy, celebratory ambiance for holiday gatherings.
Located at 2101 Kettner Blvd., Brisa is also hosting a holiday toy drive throughout the duration of the pop-up. Guests are invited to bring new, unwrapped toys, which will be donated to local families in need this season.
The business opened this past April.
“When we first started drawing up the concept, we knew we wanted to create something that truly stood out,” Brisa owner Jenny Reinhart said. “San Diego, especially Little Italy, doesn’t settle for average or boring.
“People here appreciate great food, thoughtful details, and an experience that feels exciting every time. From the start, Brisa was imagined as a little escape. We were inspired by the relaxed, transportive feeling of destinations like Tulum or Cabo, with a Latin–Sushi fusion menu that reflects the bold, fresh flavors San Diego loves.
“The goal wasn’t just to open another restaurant, but to create a space that feels alive, welcoming, and worth going out of your way for.”
“This year we really wanted to focus on supporting families in need,” Reinhart said.
“We’ve partnered with a local women’s shelter to host a toy drive throughout the season, where guests can drop off new, unwrapped toys directly at the restaurant. Our kitchen team is also preparing full holiday meals that we’ll be delivering to the shelter so the women and children there can enjoy a warm, festive dinner.”
She added that Brisa embraces the holidays in particular.
“There’s something special about creating moments that feel warm, comforting, and joyful — especially for those who may not be experiencing that this season,” Reinhart said. “Brisa is still new, and it’s important to us that the community knows we’re here to support, not just serve.”
Brisa Restaurant & Bar is all decorated to celebrate the holiday season. (Photo by Brooke Spaugh)
Being a business owner in Little Italy, Reinhart said she loves the personal connections that come from what she does.
“Little Italy has such an incredible energy — it’s walkable, vibrant, and constantly adapting,” Reinhart said. “If you’re from San Diego, you know how small this city really is. You get to know people on a personal level, and it becomes less about just serving food and more about building real connections with the community.
“The neighborhood is strong and resilient; it evolves with the times but always keeps its sense of identity. For us at Brisa, that’s been the most rewarding part, watching guests become regulars, knowing their stories, and creating a place where people feel comfortable coming back again and again.
“Being part of a neighborhood where people come to celebrate, explore, and connect makes running a business here truly special.”
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