Showing posts with label building set review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label building set review. Show all posts

Thursday, September 3, 2026

Does the Lumibricks Christmas Pub Truly Shine? My Honest Review!

 

Hey brick fans, today we are looking at a brand new addition to my winter display: the Lumibricks Christmas Pub (Set 15014). Lumibricks (formerly known as Funwhole) has been making waves with their fully integrated light kits, and this cozy German-style tavern sounded like the perfect choice to expand my brick-built town.
As always, a big thanks goes out to Lumibricks for providing this set for my review!
Let's dive right into the specs and my thoughts on how this build came together, along with some custom modifications I made out of the box!

Set Specs

  • Brand: Lumibricks
  • Set Number: 15014
  • Theme: Town Life
  • Piece Count: 2,142 pieces
  • Minifigures: 3 Minifigures + 2 Faceless Elves
  • Lighting Elements: 32 LED Light Points, 6 Light Strips
  • Stickers: Nope!
  • Printed Pieces: 34 
  • Extra Features: Music Gadget, Battery Box (AAA batteries not included), Tweezer & Brick Separator included
  • Original Base Size: 28x32 studs
  • Lego Compatible: Yes
  • Retail Price: $119.99 USD / $166 CAD
    (Note: They also offer a Limited Edition Gift Set version that comes with a 3D greeting card and a woven gift bag for $124.99 USD)


Feel free to save 10% using my code itsnotlego

If you prefer, the Christmas Pub set is also available on the Lumibricks Amazon store.

Unboxing


True to the brand's reputation since the rebrand, the presentation of the box for the Lumibricks Christmas Pub (15014) is superb. Unlike the flimsy cardboard we often get from other alternative brick brands, this box is incredibly solid, heavy-duty, and thick. It feels premium right from the start and ensures that the massive haul of parts arrives well-protected during transit. 

The front artwork perfectly captures that cozy, festive winter village vibe, while the side and back layouts cleanly display the multi-level layout, safety warning details regarding the electronics, and a preview of upcoming sets in the theme. The set splits its massive 2,142-piece assembly across two instruction booklets.

Packed inside the box, I counted 39 bags of parts neatly numbered 1 through 10 plus 2 bags marked S and two bags marked F, perfectly matching up with the build stages in the instruction manuals.




The Light Kit


The lighting kit includes the AAA battery pack (batteries not included), tweezers, screwdriver, and three pouches.  The pouches contain all of the lighting elements such as dot and strip lights, hub, usb plug and special for this set, the audio module and speaker.

The Build Experience and my Modifications

The build spans across three distinct floors: a ground-floor German pub, a second floor dedicated to live music entertainment and beer tasting, and a tiny attic space where the little elves live.

Right off the bat, I knew I wanted to integrate this into my existing modular setup, so I expanded the base to a standard 32x32 stud footprint and mounted the entire structure onto one of my custom MILS (Modular Integrated Landscaping System) plates.  I added a few extra 4x4 light gray tiles where needed.

Giving the build those extra four studs of this enlarged base creates a comfortable amount of walking and breathing space right in front of the beer tasting station.
I was progressing through the build ok and had constructed the front and side wall around stage 3
when I ran into the issue of the wiring for the beer tasting station light being too short. 

 I think I left too much slack under the floors initially, so I had to deconstruct the walls and floors of the pub to lengthen the wiring.   Anyways it was probably a good time to test the lighting while I was at it.

The ground floor came alive with a magnificent spread of food on the dining room table, all bathed in the warm, flickering glow of the fireplace.

I love the opening feature of the back wall.  The designers of the pub did a great job of tucking in a staircase and a fully stocked kitchen area in such a small space.

On the second floor of the Christmas pub, guests can unwind in a cozy lounge dedicated to live music and craft beer tastings.  On both floors we find lots of prints on the walls.

Again, we have easy access via the swing away wall on the second floor.


There's a small stage equipped with a guitar and drum kit, and not far away is a keyboard with sheet music for Silent Night,   Lumibricks did a fantastic job designing this structure for maximum playability and display access.

The third floor attic is the beer elves hideaway.   The beer elves are studded bricks with beards and christmas hats.  I would have preferred some actual minifigures instead.

As you can see, the attic offers plenty of headroom, allowing your regular sized minifigures to stand completely upright inside.

The Exterior


Moving from the cozy hideouts and bustling brewing stations inside, the exterior of the pub is just as exquisite, standing out as a breathtaking winter centerpiece.

Check out all the printing and details around the windows, and the Christmas tree looks spectacular all lit up.   Looks like the snowman has seen better days though.

Some more patrons are starting to gather at the expanded Beer Tasting Station.

The Snowfall Beer House sign looks so good.

I don't know if Lumibricks has introduced this owl in their other sets, but it's the first time I've seen the cool moveable head feature.  

Play Features: The Good and the Bad

While the overall architectural aesthetic is incredibly charming, the set includes a few moving play features that felt a bit unnecessary. There is a tilting table mechanism on the second floor and a feature that rolls out hidden green bottles from a secret pathway above the fireplace mural.  I always ended up getting the bottles stuck inside the fireplace chimney.  I forgot to take pictures of these features in action, so I'll let you discover it for yourself.
Oh and I must mention the special feature that comes with the Christmas pub.  It's this neat little audio module programmed to play 6 festive Christmas tunes.
  1. I Wish You a Merry Christmas
  2. Happy New Year
  3. Deck the Halls
  4. Jingle Bells
  5. Silent Night
  6. The First Noel
Unfortunately I didn't read the instructions thoroughly and thought that the black device was the on off button.  In fact it was the speaker, doh.

The real switch is the little black nob.  By pressing it once each time you can cycle through the tunes.

The Highlights: Lighting and Minifigs

Seeing the Christmas Pub completely lit up is honestly breathtaking—photos just don't do it justice. My custom expanded baseplate is the perfect finishing touch.



While the set officially includes these three standard minifigures, I couldn't resist populating the scenes with a few extra Lumifigs from my personal collection for some of these shots.

Last but not least, how cute are these tiny portraits? I love the reindeer one so much that I'm really hoping Lumibricks makes it into a real figure. That would be awesome!

Final Verdict

Ultimately, the Lumibricks Christmas Pub 15014 stands out as a beautiful, richly detailed addition to any festive display. For the best experience, I recommend expanding it to a 32x32 MILS plate to truly showcase the tasting room, and don't fret over the finicky play mechanisms and the not figure elves. The stunning, integrated lighting system alone makes this set a breathtaking seasonal masterpiece.


🌟 Final verdict: A massive 4.9 out of 5 for this incredible set! 🎄🍻 It is an absolute must-have for the holidays!

Let me know in the comments if you plan on adding this to your winter village this year! 



Beat the holiday rush and grab it now!


Feel free to save 10% using my code itsnotlego

If you prefer, the Christmas Pub set is also available on the Lumibricks Amazon store.

#lumibricks #lumibrickstownlife #lumibrickskoc

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Set Review: Lumibricks Wild West Fortune Club Saloon (Set 14019)


Hey everyone! Welcome back to the blog. Today we are heading straight out to the frontier to take an in-depth look at one of the newest and most massive additions to the alternative brick Wild West lineup: the Lumibricks Fortune Club Saloon (Set 14019).


As many of you know, Lumibricks (formerly known as Funwhole) rebranded to fully embrace their identity as the go-to brand for beautifully illuminated modular builds. I’ve built quite a few of their structures in the past, and I was eager to see how they would tackle a high-stakes, vintage casino and entertainment hall.  Thanks to Lumibricks for providing the set for this review.
Does this 2,782-piece monster hold its ground, or does it fold under pressure? Let's find out!
The Lumibricks Fortune Club Saloon (Set 14019) is a 2,782-piece, Wild West-themed set featuring 14 integrated LED light points, 61 printed pieces, and no stickers. It boasts high-quality brick clutch power and includes four custom minifigures, making it a detailed, high-value alternative brick display piece. 

The Set Specifications

Before we jump into the unboxing and building experience, let's lay out the vitals for this massive frontier landmark:
  • Set Name: Western Fortune-Club-Saloon
  • Brand: Lumibricks
  • Model Number: 14019
  • Piece Count: 2,782 pieces
  • Minifigure Count: 4 Custom Minifigures
  • Lighting: 14 Integrated LED Light Points
  • Printed Parts: 61+ Custom Printed Elements (No Stickers!)
  • Dimensions: 32 cm Wide x 27.8 cm Deep x 28.5 cm High (12.6" x 10.9" x 11.2").
  • Retail Price: ~$139.99 USD

The Fortune Club Saloon can be found on the Lumibricks Amazon store or on the official Lumibricks website, where you can get 10% off when using my afilliate code itsnotlego.  Lumibricks will have periodic promotions, so do check out their site for new product announcements.


Unboxing & Brick Quality

The box art immediately sets the mood, showing the saloon fully illuminated at night. Inside, the bags are grouped into sequential building stages, accompanied by two thick, heavy-duty instruction manuals.

Bags are grouped together from 1 thru 15 with 2 additional bags marked S for special parts and F for minifigure and lighting specific bricks.  The full inventory of 45 bags is pictured below.   The numbers 1 thru 15 correspond to the number of steps in the instruction manual.






For those wondering about parts quality: Lumibricks uses GoBricks, meaning the clutch power is exceptional and consistent throughout. The tiles are smooth, the colors (especially the bold golden-tan exterior shades) are rich, and yes—there are zero stickers! Every single sign, poker table, and wall ornament is a crisp, high-quality print. For alternative brick collectors, that alone is a massive win.

The Build Experience


The facade of the Fortune Club Saloon is an absolute showstopper on display. It utilizes a classic Old West false-front architecture style, complete with a gorgeous wraparound second-floor balcony and bay windows.

First Floor Construction

Let's check out a few progression pics that we took during the build process.  Steps 1 thru 7 focus on the construction of the Saloon's first floor.
We start off with a sturdy base that uses some technic squares for stabilization.  

And then lay down the floorboards.  I really like how Lumibricks designed the terrain around the base.

Adding the interior furnishings which include an upright piano, a poker table, a barber station and the long bar. (we will look at these in greater detail later).

First floor saloon windows and walls go up.  Brick clutch is sturdy and lighting wires are hidden into the walls.  Bow window glass is clear and not cloudy or scratched.  The central crossbeam is more for decoration than for support and it kind of gets in the way as I tried to take pictures of the interior.  I will probably remove it post review.

Add the wrap around porch and covered awnings where you will find a gaming table on the outside.



Pick your skill game with either domino tiles or the more dangerous finger fillet!  I think I know what I would choose!   All of the  outdoor signage and interior wall decorations are printed pieces, not stickers.  According to the Lumibricks website, this set has an overwhelming number of 61 printed pieces!

Second Floor Construction

The second floor is completed by following the steps 8 thru 15 which are located in the second instruction manual.  Here are some of the highlights.

The floor of the upper level.

Add interior finishings and walls.  On the second floor there's another card table, a fireplace and wall unit.

Love the Fortune Club sign and the animal skull above it.

The roof is the final piece of the puzzle.


Peek Inside: A Detailed Modular Interior


True to form, Lumibricks didn’t just build a pretty shell. This is a fully functional modular design. The floors and roof are completely removable, and the rear wall structure opens smoothly on hinges to allow full interior access.


Once you crack it open, the level of storytelling detail is incredible:
  • The Ground Floor: Features a fully lit and stocked bar corner with a secret pistol stash, and a secret feature that involves a wad of cash!

A very convincing looking upright piano with a lantern proving mood lighting for the entertainment.
The barber corner has a barber's chair, a barber pole, a huge mirror and haircutting accessories.

To round out the lower level furnishings, we have a poker table with chips and cards in play.  With very cool accent lighting under the table.
  • The Second Floor: This is the private VIP lounge accessible from a staircase on the outside. 



The four included story-driven minifigures—Lucy the Bartender, the Dealer, the VIP Gambler, and Jack "Quickhand"—fit perfectly into these little vignettes to bring the scene to life.
Do you love getting spare parts?  Because these are all the pieces I had leftover after building the Fortune Club Saloon!

The Lighting System: The Star of the Show

If you’ve built a Lumibricks set before, you know that the lighting elements are baked right into the building steps, rather than being threaded through as an afterthought.
The 14 built-in LED light points completely transform this set when the sun goes down. Lumibricks used a clever multi-colored approach here:
  • A subtle, moody blue glow illuminates the first and second floor poker tables.
  • A warm, deep crimson radiates outward from behind the bar's liquor cabinets.
  • Bright, golden hues flood down from the luxury ceiling chandelier and dance out of the fireplace.



Threading the wires requires patience, but the instructions handle it beautifully, hiding the cables seamlessly between studs and underneath flooring tiles. Exterior spot lighting and lanterns beautifully enhance all of the exquisite details of the Saloon.




Final Verdict & Score

The Lumibricks Fortune Club Saloon is easily one of the best Wild West themed brick sets on the market today. At 2,782 pieces for under $140 USD, the sheer value proposition blows standard name-brand modulars right out of the water. The inclusion of custom prints instead of stickers, paired with GoBricks quality and an exceptional integrated lighting kit, makes this an absolute must-have display piece for AFOLs and brick fans of the rough and tumble Wild West.  
I setup a little Western themed Roadside Rest stop using both the Fortune Club Saloon and the Fur Trading Post!   Don't forget to check out my review of the Fur Trading Post here.
Outstanding piece-to-price value, incredible atmospheric multi-colored lighting, 100% printed parts (no stickers), great interior storytelling.  My only complaint is that Lumibricks keeps making stools and chairs but the Lumifigs can't sit in them because of their round bums, but that's not an indictment of the Fortune Club Saloon set, that's pretty much an issue across all of their sets.
Final Score: 4.9 / 5 — A brilliant frontier masterpiece that shines bright on any shelf!  
Purchase via the official Lumibricks Store (Use code itsnotlego for 10% off!)
Check current pricing on Amazon.

Anyways, thanks for looking and as always see you in my next blog post!  Bye!
#lumibricks #lumibrickskoc