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Pourhouse Restaurant
Categories: Nightlife Bars Lounges Restaurants Canadian (Traditional) Lounges, Canadian (Traditional) [Edit]
162 Water StreetVancouver, BC V6B 1B2
Neighbourhoods: Downtown, Gastown
(604) 568-7022
- Hours:
Mon-Wed 11:30 am - 12 am
Thu-Fri 11:30 am - 1 am
Sat 5 pm - 1 am
Sun 5 pm - 12 am
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sun
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Classy, Trendy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- No
138 reviews for Pourhouse Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"Ahh, the salted caramel ice cream and warm chocolate cake..." In 11 reviews -
"Two of us couldn't resist the Espresso Braised Short Ribs." In 3 reviews -
"and the cocktails were amazing." In 31 reviews
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138 reviews in English
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Review from Roanna Z.
4/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
... And a good time was had by all.
Just for fun I thought I'd start at the end instead of the beginning.
So much has already been said about Pourhouse already; The genuinely personable service, varied menu, well presented dishes, the rich ambiance...
We had a small, casual birthday gathering on Sat. evening, there were 8 of us. Nice number that is, it's always been lucky for me.
The rundown:
Patient and very informed service, extensive wine, beer & cocktail list, small but meaty, home ground burgers cooked to order, which is already about a million stars right there. Fries served in little cut bag-ends looked all adorable-like. I had to steal a few of those crispy babies, even though I had my own Fingerling potat's myself, served with my honkin' huge steak, because why wouldn't I order that on my b-day? Unfortunately my steak was a bit tough, likely because I don't know squat about cuts of meat. Adding a side of some of the best Balsamic I've had helped it go down easy. the taddly tough steak didn't detract much from my experience and everyone was going on (and on) about how great their meals were.
Final words:
Don't hesitate.Listed in: Fi*ve st*rs of awesomeness
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Review from Deanna S.
4/24/2012
My environment directly affects my mood. I like to surround myself with great looking things... stylish clothes, chic apartment, rad city, handsome boyfriend... etc.
I've hit this place up on occasions where I just want to grab a drink or two, hang out, and pick at an app. I find the entrees a bit expensive for what they are, so I've yet to really explore the menu.
With that said, Pourhouse is one of those places where even if I don't care much for the food... I'll keep coming back just because it makes me feel so darn cool.Listed in: Eats
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Review from Barry M.
4/9/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Five star service, five star cocktails, every time I've gone.
Not sure what you want? Give your server / bartender a couple hints, and they'll make you something awesome. -
Review from Jana D.
Ottawa, ON
5/22/2012 2 Check-ins Here
We celebrated my sister's birthday here, and I have to say that they were very very accomodating! There were 8 of us, and on that busy, crowded Saturday night, they reserved a cozy corner table for us, and allowed us to take our time over the meal. I might give this place a 4instead of 5 because my sister was slightly disappointed in her steak, which was the very reason she had chosen this particular restaurant for her birthday celebrations. However, the rest of us were happy with our meals. The company was great, the food was good, and the service was stellar! It was such a pleasure to spoil my sister. :-)
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Review from Ying Ying L.
Vancouver, BC
5/17/2012
I have heard recommendations about the food there from a few people and they were right! I've been there twice now and enjoyed my meals very much. The location is good and the decor is wonderful; lots of character and atmosphere. The service is nice and the food is delicious! The bar is a hopping spot and the cocktails are inventive. It is definitely on my list of favourite restaurants in Vancouver! I'll be back for sure!
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Review from Hootie J.
Vancouver, BC
4/25/2012 2 Check-ins Here
This town is to big for another restaurant with the atmosphere painted on the walls, sure it is a cool- old building but you have to serve good food as well
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Review from Don B.
2/7/2012
Pull up a stool at the bar. It's the place to be, you see. For cocktails are on the menu, and you should sip one or three.
The cocktologist at Pourhouse (at least the guy who was there when I was in) knows what the hell he is doing. He can rock a standard, classic cocktail or stir you up something proper in just about any genre. He also has a sweet spirits selection if you like your hooch neat. He gladly let us sample a local gin that I found delicious, and subsequently picked up duty-free style on my way out of the country.
My cocktails and conversation with the tender were both top notch. The Old Pal is a favorite, and one made as dealer's choice (always endearing to have a bartender nail one of your faves when you offer him the reigns). The dimly lit space and classic, large bar make for nice environs when sipping a top-shelf libation. It's in a part of town to which I would not likely venture on a weekend night at prime time, but on an off night, it's perfect.
I'm loving that Vancouver's cocktail scene is coming up strong!Listed in: Oh Canada...., Diggin' the 'Couve!, BC Boozin'
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Review from Tamara H.
3/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
I'm so glad I popped in here after the Yelp Full Moon Party last night. While my head may be hurting from the strong cocktails this morning that in no way diminishes the deliciousness of the bourbon drinks. The place was surprisingly happening on a Tuesday evening, the bar had lots of friendly people and the bartenders were really on their game. They are definitely on the expensive end of things but you pay for quality (especially in gastown) and the ambiance was pretty great in here.
Really truly good service, good drinks & good company - thanks for the fun nightcap pourhouse! -
Review from Chelsy W.
4/20/2012
Really liked the atmosphere. Love the Mushroom tart and the squash soup.
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Review from Robin M.
1/9/2012 9 Check-ins Here
Comfort-food is for suckers, I go for the drinks.
Suresure, they've got the wooden beams; yeahyeah, they've got that rrreal nice-like soft lighting that magically makes everyone *that* much better looking; okayokay, they've got that whole turn-of-the-century feel going on; but make no mistake -- I'm here for the bar.
Topped with salvaged Douglas fir planks, this is a serious bar for serious drinks. And drinks you will be made. Arguably the best seat in the house, those comfy leather stools are where the magic is made. The menu is only a guide, people. Name your flavour and be prepared to go to a happy place.
Like I said, comfort food is for suckers. Comfort drinks? Now that's something special.Listed in: Which town? Gastown., Goings On and Going Out, Cute Boys!, Craft Cocktails
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Review from Rosemary R.
Vancouver, BC
3/5/2012
We've been to the Pourhouse several times now and it never disappoints. On our most recent visit, we brought my picky picky parents, who both loved it. Cozy atmosphere, happening but not too loud and comfortable seating. Win.
Upscale comfort food is the order of the day at the Pourhouse and I've yet to meet a dish I didn't like. This last visit, I started with the beet salad (so tender and delicious) and then we all got the steak frites. The steak was perfectly done and came with a delicious bourbon reduction - a very nice twist on traditional steak sauce. We also shared a few sides of Brussels sprouts, apples and caramelized onions.
Cocktails are my favourite part of our visits to the Pourhouse - though it's no longer on the cocktail menu, I always get the 20th Century, which tastes like white chocolate lemonade. And then I get another.
It's worth mentioning here that my mom has some dietary restrictions (gluten, dairy) which sometimes make it challenging to find a place she enjoys. Everyone at the Pourhouse was keen to make sure her needs were met, which was nice. Looking forward to our next visit! -
Review from Brittney C.
Vancouver, BC
1/13/2012
The food and drinks here are stupendous, if you're looking for a place to get both an a great beer and a perfectly mixed cocktail then this is the place to be.
The staff are very knowledgeable and friendly (save one of the hostesses who was rude on the phone a few times). The bartenders really know their stuff yet they don't have the au de snob attitude about it.
I brought my family here who was visiting from California and they were impressed. Our server was very attentive and helpful, there was a slight delay on our food coming out and he brought us desserts to apologize.
Some food favorites are the beet salad, and the mushroom tart. -
Review from Jacob K.
1/16/2012
As my search for the perfect burger continues, it has been hampered by my desire to eat less meat. However, duty calls. This burger may be the closest thing to the best burger I had had in a long while (see my review of Market's Truffle Burger).
The patty is thick and very juicy, almost medium rare. You have to be careful eating this gastronomical delight as the juices may run down your arm. The burger comes with the usual fixings.
I love the atmosphere of the Pourhouse; it reminds me of a speakeasy, with its charm. There seems to be quite a bit of energy and the flair of the bartenders who can mix up almost any kind of concoction on demand makes it a night you won't forget.
I'm very impressed with the service. We were well taken care of the night we were there.
For those gentlemen looking to take a date to something "different", I recommend the Pourhouse for a 3rd date. The noise level can make conversation a bit harder. -
Review from Ryan B.
Port Coquitlam, BC
4/2/2012
Good things about Pourhouse. The service was good. Friendly staff who came by often enough to make sure we where okay but not often enough to be a pain. It was nice and clean and the décor was kind of neat.
The bad. Pricey.Maybe I'm cheap but $13 for a cocktail is a bit much. I don't mind spending $18 for a burger but it shouldn't look like a mini burger. The burger I had was tiny and didn't really come with anything. The fries tasted great and if I ever go there again, that is what I'll order.
Over all, it was okay but I would check the menu before going. -
Review from Meana k.
11/13/2011
Sophisticated comfort is what I'd call this place. A throwback to a different era where an establishment with such fine beverages, great music, and a good atmosphere was a forbidden secret.
On the food menu, you just need two words: Scotch Egg. Delicious. Okay, that was three. But you can't say the first two without the last one. Also incredible was the vegetable mash which a dining companion who hates vegetables even liked enough to go for seconds and thirds. Lastly, the mac n cheese with bacon is a good comfort dish, perfect for a long night of drinking, although not the best I've had.
Off the cocktails menu, our server described the Centennial as a taste of Fall in a glass. She spoke of the warmth of the bourbon and the citric lemon and the fresh apricot in a way that had me convinced. It was the best bourbon drink I've ever had. Simply refreshing, light, and tasty. What was more like Fall in a glass to me was actually the New World drink with spiced rum and a fresh egg white. That was lovely.
Service was excellent -- attentive, friendly without being overly waitery, and quick.
Great location in Gastown, fun atmosphere, cool vibes. I loved the music being played here quite a bit as I'm a huge fan of old-time jazz and blues. Can only imagine how great a live band would be here. I'm putting this on my list of favorite spots to go in Vancouver where I can hang out with grownups, not clubkids or yuppies. This is where you go to hang out with the 30s+crowd where people drink for the taste rather than the goal of getting drunk, and where you can actually carry a conversation with your date or friends instead of screaming over terrible music, and where the servers are knowledgeable in what they're serving rather than just there to look pretty in their short, tight dresses.Listed in: Places to take out of town…
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Review from Mika M.
Vancouver, BC
12/12/2011
I didn't get the pleasure of eating at the Pourhouse this time, but DID get to try some drinks for my friends birthday... We came after the majority of the party and were squished in the tiny lounge area beside the cool/old typewriter. We were amusing ourselves with typing up some cute and funny stories while enjoying the best rose wine ever and gin and tonics (that came with unique little bottles of tonic).
The service was okay, they initially forgot to ask me for a drink yet got everyone else's drink orders... so I felt a bit left out... I ended up getting a friend to get me one... It's okay though, I will be back this coming Saturday for my 31st birthday... with 18 people!
And the best part about the Pourhouse is the name, everyone always thinks I say "whorehouse"! -
Review from Houston W.
Vancouver, BC
11/18/2011
My favourite place for drinks in Vancouver. Sit at the bar and ask one of the insanely skilled bartenders to make you something. You won't be disappointed.
The scotch egg is pretty cool too. -
Review from Scott H.
11/10/2011
Probably deserves a 4. The Scotch Egg alone deserves a 5! But I generally don't like pubs that make their own beer. Don't serve me a stout and call it "close to guiness". Guiness is Guiness that's why it's called Guiness.
ANYWAY, they likely have the best bartenders in the city. Seriously talented fellas. But wasn't a fan of the clientele. Too cool for this school (or so they think they are).
So down to brass tax, good location, lame clientele, average beer, fantastic bartenders and a scotch egg that is over the moon. That ends up being a 3 from me. -
Review from Bobbin W.
9/19/2011
Watching Pourhouse bartender Lachlin prepare my Old Cuban was like watching James McLaughlin Way paint "All is Well No. 4" if I had been there when James McLaughlin Way painted it. It was so overwhelming and enchanting, I barely remember the process except for Lachlin smacking open a tiny mint leaf, delicately placing it atop the liquid and using a dropper to dab perhaps Blue Mountain Brut in a circle inside the glass.
I don't know; it all happened so fast. -
Review from Faye S.
Vancouver, BC
11/11/2011
My first visit to Pourhouse was a Saturday night enjoying drinks for a friends birthday. All I remember is having the most devine gin and tonic(s) and a very fun type writer to play with.
My 2nd visit was during lunch. A great lunch special. Fabulous surroundings. Friendly staff. Delicious food. Tasty beer and of course...another one of the Gin and Tonics.
I`ll be back again! -
Review from Jeremy C.
8/20/2011
The service here is really something exceptional. The waiter was attentive, articulate, and helpful without being overbearing. He was patient as I asked questions about the menu (they had a couple appetizers I was unfamiliar with) and enthusiastic about the intricacies of various scotches. Another nice touch: I arrived about fifteen minutes before my friends and the waiter brought a newspaper without being asked; it's little things like that which make the service memorable.
Pourhouse' signature cocktails are really quite remarkable. They have a small list of unique concoctions; I tried several, and was consistently impressed. I found myself ordering comparable drinks at bars later, but never quite getting the right mix.
I was similarly pleased with the food. Their scotch eggs are very good. The macaroni and cheese is a perfect portion, and just rich enough. Even their burger was memorable.
I hope I'm not overstating it. I really was impressed by this place, though.
Compared to other Gastown joints, you're going to pay a little bit more here. I think it's worth it, but if you're on a budget I recommend stopping by for a drink and an appetizer to kick off the evening. -
Review from Sabrina T.
10/26/2011
It's got a nice vibe, the servers are super friendly, and they even gave us tasters of cocktails they made.
The soup was insanely salty, but they did take it back and didnt charge us for it. We got another small dish too, but I can't even remember what it is now.
So, It's a good stop for a brewski, but if you're looking for a good dinn-ski, maybe look elsewhere. -
Review from Sheryl D.
8/2/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Pub nouveau.. My kind of place! "It's one of those places that suits Vancouver to a tee" (quote HB who wants a "citation" for using his words in MY review...fight ensues.."it's my Yelp site goddamn it! Get your own!"). Very unpretentious joint with the right amount of hipsterness..overall a place with good-lookin' Gas Town locals without the douchebaggery. Even our hot platinum blonde, androgenous server embodied the place. Yeah, that's right. I belong here (despite the Coquitlam address).
Cocktails are fanfuckingtastic. The flavours don't tire in your mouth. If I were to pay for a $12 cocktail, this is undoubtedly where I'll be. Sadly I didn't get to try the salted caramel ice cream brownie folks were raving about..I had to be selective with calorie consumption what with the food trip weekend in Whistler the next day.. We did have the charcuterie ($18) and cheese plate ($16) and both satisfied to my bones. The couple beside us (literally, I could reach out sideways and touch her) were happily playing footsies under the table and I was very conscious of how her left foot kept going higher and higher up his leg. Then they briefly made out. What does this have to do with my review? Yes, the place is very dimly lit folks! Perfect for role playing meeting-stranger-in-a-bar fantasies or a flirty first (2nd and 3rd) date!
Will be back for more!Listed in: Be Discreet!
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Review from Rohan S.
8/28/2011
This is a great place for cocktails. They've got an expansive list of spirits and drinks they can mix for you. The quality and care put into cocktails here is phenomenal.
The atmosphere here feels like something right out of Mad Men. Sitting in the wing back chairs you half expect to see Don and Roger waltz in and order a martini.
I'll definitely be back. Oh and the food is pretty good too! -
Review from Darian K.
Mount Pleasant, Vancouver, BC
7/16/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I love stopping in for a Back Hand of God or a fun mixed drink...I ask for something 'magic' and always get it.
Great for intimate meetings or classy celebrations.
I highly recommend. Live Jazz Sunday nights!Listed in: Best Places to Get Your…
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Review from J N.
Vancouver, BC
9/24/2011
Sure, it's a cool atmosphere, but when we went here the service was slow and the food such as pork and beans/pork chop was quite average for the seemingly above average price. And did I detect an air of pretension that is not so cool and for no apparent reason?
Better to go for the drinks. -
Review from Christine R.
New Westminster, BC
5/30/2011
The perfection that goes into the cocktails at this Gastown saloon makes them worth the double-digit price.
I recently sidled up the long bar at Pourhouse and my stool had a prime view of the bartenders at work. It was a thing of beauty ... the nattily dressed barman free-pours from bottles to mix the drinks - no well liquor, no cheap mixers on tap behind this bar - shakes (or stirs) with authority, and finally, tastes (a quick sip from a single-use bar straw) and tweaks, if required, to make sure every glass that goes out is up to snuff.
And it was ... it was. Though small like an old-fashioned cocktail (check out the illustrations in old bartenders' guides and in old movies), my Jack Rose (Jack! Rose! Jack! Rose! Fun dorky fact: I saw that movie three times in the theatres) was powerful. I was already a little tipsy from it when the lovely bartender gave me a little chaser, gratis, from the excess of a drink he's made a little too much of. Or maybe it was just for me. Maybe you never really drink alone at Pourhouse...Listed in: Good times and great drinks
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Review from Marie L.
Vancouver, BC
2/8/2012
The atmosphere is everything you would look for in a Gastown restaurant. The Drinks may be the best I have had in town, even though they took a little while to arrive. This is definitely my favorite spot to take out of towners for an appy and drink, however I wouldn't recommend it for dinner the menu is small and your choices are a bit heavy but tasty is your stomach can handle it. Also took awhile for the entree' to arrive. But like I said great for Bevs and has a super sexy vibe.
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Review from Sarah O.
1/19/2011
So.... really? Is this the place everyone is raving about? Okay perhaps I ordered the wrong things off the menu... but still, their menu isn't very extensive and I expected everything on there to be at least somewhat delicious. We ordered the squid and halibut cheeks and I wasn't thrilled.
Our server was exceptionally friendly and seemed very passionate about explaining the detailed flavor profile of each dish but alas, he built us up to let us fall. I suppose they are well known for their tasty drinks so I'm willing to make a stop here if I'm in an emergency-I-need-to-impress-my-date-with-an-expens ive-delicious-cocktail scenerio.. but let's be real, when does that ever happen? I'm the kind who would bust a flask out of my coat instead and make my own delicious concoction. And as far as coming back here for grub.. at that price and portion and taste.. forgeddabaoutit.Listed in: Oat Sodas And Good Company.
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Review from Phil C.
1/10/2012
If you're going for drinks, you're in luck: fantastic cocktails accompanied by very knowledgeable and entertaining bartenders.
As for the food, I was somewhat disappointed. I ordered their burger expecting to be impressed, and while the meat was thick and of excellent quality, it was overpowered by a distinctly burnt flavor and far too heavy on the grease.
Other than that, excellent lighting and decor. Highly recommended. -
Review from David R.
North Vancouver, BC
3/20/2012
One very winning feature, and one disappointing aspect. Overall, I like this place as it sits between quite a few Vancouver restaurants, offering old world hearty food offered at a high enough standard to stand out, but still keeping a low key bar/bistro feel. I think they know their niche. Not being a real big meat eater, and especially not a burger eater, I was talked into trying their classic burger by the waiter (Kobe beef) and was blown away. May only have a burger a couple of times a year, but if I do, it will be at the Pourhouse. It stands on its own and is outstanding. Liked the wait staff a lot, but did have one unfortunate experience. Saw they had a Green Fairy sitting on the bar, so asked if they had absinthe on the menu and sure enough they did. Ordered up and then were told that because they only had one, had to go to the bar and stand in line taking turns adding the water to our absinthe glasses behind other patrons - sorry guys, this is really bush!!! Part of the charm of savouring absinthe is sitting at your table and slowly adding the water to your glasses and letting the bouquet open up slowly at your table. Either spring for a few more, or give it up. Was disappointed at that.
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Review from Michelle P.
Vancouver, BC
4/14/2011 14 Check-ins Here
I first visited Pourhouse last summer 2010 and I've been hooked ever since! The drinks and food are fab! Pourhouse specializes pre - prohibition drink, cuisine and ambiance.
Sitting at the bar is an experience unto itself!
The bar tenders always seem to know what you're in the mood for. Sit yourself down at the bar and tell them what kind of (flavors/liquor in your) drink your in the mood for... it's like they've prescribed the perfect drink. -
Review from Dan J.
Vancouver, BC
I saved review number 50 for Pourhouse because it's my favourite Vancouver business right now. I even turned my spell check on.
I could prattle & claver about how great this place is but I see that seventy-three ladies and fellows beat me to the quick. You think you're the cat's pyjamas don't you?
Perch yourself on a bar stool. Okay stop -that's where the similarities to other bars in Vancouver end. Instead of ordering the usual, give one of the bartenders a few clues about how you're feeling at that moment and these apothecaries will offer you an oblation that will change your life.
Their menu is small but consists of good quality comfort food. Michelle, normally an Arsenic & Old Lace kinda gal, ordered the cheese plate and asked the bartender to recommend another drink. He was hesitant to offer her another cocktail but instead handed her a small sample of a red wine that he said would pair well. She ordered the wine. And another cocktail.
The grilled cheese, the roast beef, the fries and the chips and sample platters are all good. Had an unfortunately less than stellar humboldt squid incident that had my birthday party attendees questioning my choice of venue. Not a huge fan of some things (like pea soup) but the menu pairs so well with the pre-prohibition era cocktails that I understand why they serve what they do.
I like to order one of my favourite potations and give carte blanche to the bartender for the rest of the night. Invariably I'll discover a new favourite. They will often ask you to try the drink first, then explain what it is and offer you a small sample of one of the more exotic key ingredients. They have an array of exotic mixers like rare French creme de cassis, strange liqueurs, artichoke bitters.
But it's not about the ingredients. Their technique is exceptional. Watch the bartenders get medieval on a piece of ice or sample a drink and if it's even the tiniest bit imperfect pour it out and start all over.
I have dipsomaniacal dreams about Pourhouse.Listed in: Watering Holes., my R's OTD.
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Review from Jon S.
Vancouver, BC
3/19/2011
I'd been here a few times for drinks. This place really specializes in signature whiskey-based drinks. I took my partner and mum here during Dine Out Vancouver to try the food and we had a wonderful meal. I think we all ended up getting the steak. The highlight of the night may have been showing my partner that sweet potato soup can be spicy and flavourful. The steaks were cooked to perfection.
The place has that great Gastown feel with bricks and exposed wood beams. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly. The Pourhouse is a consistent and safe bet if you're looking for a a good restaurant. -
Review from Mars K.
Vancouver, BC
1/23/2011
"You eat a lot for a small guy" - says the waitress.
Does that sound more like a compliment or an insult? In any case, that became the No. 1 thing I remembered from my visit. Note to staff, small guys don't like to be told they're small, and people who eat a lot aren't always proud of it. So best to just not make this sort of comment.
Besides the above distraction, I did enjoy my visit and have gone back several times since, partly as I live so close to the place. My favorite is the Crispy Cheese, which is a fancy version grilled cheese sandwich. It is served with a roasted tomato soup. The sandwich would otherwise be too heavy and the soup would otherwise be too tart, but when paired together everything is just right.
There's something about the brick and beam interior, along with dim lighting, that gives a space a very cozy upscale feel. This is of course very common for Gastown; however, it should not be a given that the food's quality are up there to match. Pourhouse does have the substance to go with the fancy packaging. -
Review from Angela L.
1/4/2011
I had vowed to wait to write a review for Pourhouse, having not tried any of the food here yet, but I can't stop thinking about the cocktails.
My cocktail consuming counterpart and I dropped in on a Sunday, hoping to catch the live jazz. The musicians happened to be taking a dinner break when we rolled in, so we grabbed seats at the bar and waited for the show to resume. I ordered a Rutherford, and after assuring the concerned bartender that I enjoyed bitter beverages, I was served a beautifully deep red concoction. In fact, it was so pretty that it drew inquiries from the party seated next to me at the bar. The Rutherford was delightfully bitter as expected, and very well balanced. However, I decided to go with the Cameron House for my second (and third, teehee) beverage choice and I was blown away. It was fantastic, and I even enjoyed the maraschino cherry, which I usually hate.
The jazz was very low-key, with one keyboarder and one saxophonist, but contributed nicely to the otherwise pleasant ambiance. Service was friendly, albeit a touch slow, and its clear that there is some serious skill behind the bar. I highly look forward to returning, both to sample some of the culinary offerings as well as to enjoy another Cameron House!Listed in: Vancouver Favourites, Dates are Great, Liquid Lunch
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Review from Preeti B.
8/28/2011
One of my favorite finds in Vancouver - drinks are cleverly crafted and the fare is delectable. You can come here with a group, but the real fun is watching the turnover in the bar scene. This place attracts a very mixed crowd - let's just say you get the lonely loner, the Asian male-lightweights asking for "girly drinks," gossip girl sessions, and the occasional mysterious traveler just passing through. Stick with the dashingly brilliant bartenders as your guides for the night - they won't steer you wrong.
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Review from Daniel L.
I truly feel like a owner of the joint when ever I sit at the bar here. The bartenders really make you feel at home and do a great job of lookin after us, making sure the drinks are the way we like them giving us samplers all night long, and even discounted the food cause it wasn't up to standards (not that we complained)
So PourHouse comes from the name Po-Boy from what I gather on their menu, and they added the Pour twist. Daily lunch and beer specials for $12. But dinner is the bees knees and here when the vibe takes off and the place has the upper side house party feel to it, but with amazing drinks and food... I am a big fan here! -
Review from Dee B.
1/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
I ate the Pourhouse salad and sampled the brisket sandwich. Pourhouse was my selection for my 30th birthday celebration.
NO DISAPPOINTMENTS HERE!
I am giving 4 stars, and it might just be because of my own ignorance regarding their menu since it was the night before my wedding and couldn't endulge as my dress might as well have been an oil slick :) I think Pouhouse has a lot more to offer than a salad. I get it, Yelp, I shouldn't go exploring Vancouver's fare on a diet. Maybe I should dock myself 1 star? Nah. I'm too fabulous for that.
I will be back and hopefully will update to 5 stars. -
Review from Madhuri I.
10/5/2010
There's something about wandering into a nearly empty bar at 4 PM on a Tuesday, asking, "Is it too early for a drink?"
And you know you're home when the only other patron and and bartender chime unanimously, "It's never too early."
it was one of those days when no one was in a hurry, the drinks were beautiful, and the conversation wonderful. The bartender Patrick was clearly passionate about (and competent in) the fine craft of mixology. But what's more - he was passionate about single malts, coffee and craft beers. I wish my man had been around - these two would get along famously.
I tried the Cadiz Collins and the Blood Alley; both smooth, complex cocktails that went down quite easy. I am writing this review from the Vancouver airport right now - I have a feeling I might have still been there if I didn't have a flight to catch.
