It’s no secret that Austin, TX is growing at an alarming rate. As families and singles flood the area, new neighborhoods, apartments, and condos are being built in every nook and cranny of the city. As locals watch the relaxed and eclectic style of Austin give way to modern downtown high-rises, a neighborhood bar is finding ways to mix modern architecture with Austin charm.
When co-owners Marcos Canchola and Bryan Hyde sold the property housing The Pour House Pub to a developer for the construction of the Burnet Marketplace (a 343 unit apartment complex with 12,000 sq. ft. of retail space) the regulars had mixed feelings. “Some of the regulars felt like the bar was going to lose its charm”, said Canchola in a phone interview. Opened in 2009 and known for having tasty food and cheap drinks, The Pour House Pub definitely had a lot of charm; it was located in a farmhouse built in 1817. Another favorite of The Pour House patrons was the large heritage tree which covered a small stage and outdoor space, a feature Canchola and Hyde made sure they would have exclusive rights to in the new construction. “The heritage oak tree and outdoor area were a huge part of negotiations for the new development”, said Canchola.
The Pour House Pub closed in June 2014 for redevelopment of the 3.9 acres, as part of the construction the bar would receive retail space on the corner of the building adjacent to the heritage tree. Due to permit constraints, the new retail space had to be on the exact footprint as the old pub, meaning Conchola and Hyde had to get creative when expanding their kitchen and bar without losing much of the seating area. A big advantage for them was the ability to create an expansive outdoor deck wrapped around the heritage tree so patrons can enjoy the outside along with a delicious burger and local beer. “Being surrounded by the large tree and patio is nice”, commented Canchola.
During construction, Canchola said he was checking out the project daily, and both he and Hyde were involved in choosing all of the materials for the new space. For the deck, they chose a low maintenance composite decking by TimberTech with a 25 year stain and fade warranty so they won’t have to worry about replacing the deck anytime soon. Inside, the bar is clad with a tropical hardwood called Ipe on the ceiling and around the bar top. Canchola mentioned he loved how well the Ipe siding and soffit complimented the bronze-colored ceiling tiles and other industrial elements of the design. Amid all of the modern materials, The Pour House used reclaimed lumber from the old farmhouse in different areas, including salvaging a large rooster that’s now mounted on the back wall.
The Grand Re-Opening of The Pour House Pub was June 23rd, 2016. In an effort to broaden their fan base, the menu was expanded to include soups, salads and sandwiches along with their famous appetizers and pub burgers. Would locally sourced food and spirits be enough for The Pour House to become the neighborhood bar again?
After hearing all about it from Canchola over the phone, I had to see the new and improved pub for myself. If nothing else, I needed to try the famous Austin Burger: a half-pound Angus beef patty with sauteed mushrooms, onions and goat cheese. I decided to come early on a weekday so I could take some pictures for TimberTown before the happy hour rush. Like Canchola alluded to, the space has a modern look with a local feel. As I sat at the bar I could hear conversations happening on either side of me between old friends and new acquaintances. Some of the patrons were obviously regulars, both the bartender and general manager knew their drinks before they even reached the bar. Mike, the General Manager, has worked at several full service restaurants in Austin, and loves how hands on Canchola and Hyde are with their restaurants. “They really care about their restaurants and listen to the feedback they get from customers.” said Mike. And the Austin Burger? One of the best burgers in town, pub or otherwise!
With an extensive lineup of local beers on tap and a guaranteed delicious meal, The Pour House Pub is poised to be the local pub for past, present and future neighbors as the Burnet Marketplace welcomes more and more tenants. At night, it’s not uncommon to see the outdoor patio filled with patrons enjoying the warm summer breeze and engaging in friendly games of cornhole. So far, The Pour House Pub may be the perfect example of how to mix New Austin Design with Old Austin Charm.
The Pour House Pub is located at 6701 Burnet Rd. on the corner of the Burnet Marketplace, for more information and their full menu visit pourhousepubaustin.com. The Pour House Pub Deck was built by Austin Deck Company and Burnet Marketplace was built by Martines | Palmeiro Construction. Marcos Canchola and Bryan Hyde also co-own and operate six other bars in Austin: Barfly’s, Bender Bar, Hideout Pub, Mugshots, Pour House Pints and Pies, and the Violet Crown Social Club.
See more photos from this project on our Houzz page.
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