Owners: Paige Diaz and David Williamson
By Ann Marie Byrd, Feature Writer
The PourHouse, located at 222 Middle Street, is a new local favorite for great drinks and good times in the heart of downtown New Bern.
Co-owner David Williamson says, “When people come in, they say ‘wow’ because of the tin ceiling, gorgeous wall coverings, and sconces. It’s interesting because we look like a bougie bar, but the overall atmosphere is comfortable and settling. We have something for everyone, with a wide array of drinks and prices. For example, we have dollar beers, but also very expensive liquor.”
Co-owner Paige Diaz says, “The PourHouse has a homey, old-fashioned feel to it. People come here not only to drink, but to hang out, socialize, and play games. We don’t have a lot of TVs because the emphasis is on conversation. It is a place where people get away from their phones and the internet and really converse face-to-face with other people. We embrace the quality time we get with our customers and the bartenders like to play games with them, so if you come in alone, you won’t really be alone.”
Yep, like Cheers. Where everybody knows your name….
“We are one of the most unique bars in town with our ‘tastefully offensive’ hallway. The hallway started with a huge photo of the great Anthony Bourdain, and then it just kept growing,” says David. “There are a whole bunch of famous people in the photographs, but also locals—all playfully giving us ‘the bird.’ In honor of the hallway, we’ve even created a tastefully offensive margarita, with tequila, jalapeño, and cucumber, so it’s cool with a little bite.”
Alternatively, many people are jumping onto the alcohol-free trend right now, and the PourHouse is accommodating their needs. For some, socializing does not necessarily mean imbibing. Paige says, “We have non-alcoholic drinks, a mocktail menu, and an alcohol-free and gluten-free beer menu.”
The sister store to the PourHouse is Lawson’s on the Creek owned by David and Richard Williamson. Paige started as a server and manager from day one at Lawson’s and shortly thereafter, David and Paige began discussing the possibility of owning a bar together. “As partners, the benefits of co-ownership are much more visible,” says Paige. “We see the hard work that we each do and what we contribute to the business, both financially and in terms of business management. We have a great atmosphere here where we are very open to employee input and feedback and we encourage creativity from our staff.”
Both David and Paige come from a background in the hospitality industry. David’s father was an innkeeper for Holiday Inn and owned the Oarhouse and he has extensive experience in the food and beverage industry. Paige started working in food and beverage when she was twelve years old, and developed skills in food service and hospitality. She earned a degree from North Hampton Community College in Radio & TV, as well as the University of E. Stroudsburg. She feels that the culmination of her education and experience led her to ownership at the PourHouse: “When I started working at Lawson’s with David, I felt valued and heard; because of that, I threw myself into the success of the business, and they accepted me. Now we’re all doing it together,” says Paige.
The physical building that is now the PourHouse has a long history. It was originally constructed in 1910 by the Copeland brothers, who were printers, and were the proprietors of a successful general store. The rear area of the building was a clothing store. As patrons pass from the bar, into the rear of the building, there is a date stamped into the concrete floor from the original construction.
“We embrace the history of New Bern. On the walls of our establishment, we have framed stories from old newspapers that document our history. We embrace the past, learn from it, and look forward to the future,” says Paige.
In such an old building, the owners and the employees feel spirits of the past still stirring.
“Our ghost, whose name is Charlie, just wants attention; he is not mean or aggressive, he is just a prankster,” says David. “When it is quiet after hours, he likes to turn over chairs, and whistle. He likes company, so we always say good night when we leave and good morning when we arrive. We also leave a shot for him on the bar at closing time. He likes that.”
To keep up with good times at the PourHouse, including live music, trivia, and wine tasting, check out the updates on social media.
The PourHouse also features outdoor seating on Middle Street, which is a great spot to people-watch. If you need a snack, they also provide food deliveries from MJs.