Review Of The Pour House

UNTflyer · March 11, 2008

The Pour House is located near the Cinemark theater, right next to Unicorn Lake.

3350 Unicorn Lake Blvd, Denton, TX

First Impression: Small parking lot that was filled mosthly with employee vehicles, judging from the number of customers. An ashtray is in front of the door, which screams "No Smoking Allowed"... which turns out to be true. Greeted by a friendly hostess who asked if I was going to sit at the bar, to which I said "Yes". She directed me towards the back.

You walk through the general dining area to get to the bar. The backdrop of the bar area is a large picture window overlooking Unicorn Lake (which isn't really a lake, but rather a large pond, but the view of the McMansions on the opposite shore is kind of cool). The place is still having work done, so the window is only partially tinted. I moved down to a stool to sit with the barflies and keep from being blinded by the sun.

There is an outdoor patio between the bar and the Pond for the smokers to sit and bake in the sun.

Drinks: Typical fare. Bud. Bud Light. MGD. Shiner. The usual, nothing to write home about.

Food: I had The Pour House Traditional cheeseburger and fries. The burger tastes very good, my only "beef" is that it was about a inch smaller than the bun. The fries turned out to be fried sliced potatoes, but they were good.

Staff: Pretty college girls. Friendly. The head cook came out to ask everyone how their food was.

Ambience: Well, this is where I am torn on The Pour House. I am trying to remember that this place just opened. It's rather sterile. Few things distinguish it as a "sports bar". ESPN/ESPN2/ESPN Classic was on every tv, which are all HD. The walls are sparsely adorned with generic paintings of local sports figures. There are two high points. One is a private double booth in a niche in the wall. I poked my head in and there were two televisions on the opposite wall. Nice for a group of 8-10 friends to watch a game.

Second was the Theater Room. I was impressed. Four levels of semi-circle booths, with a row of leather recliners in the front. The Big TV is in this room, along with a few dinky 52 inch HD flat panels. I imagine the room being packed on NFL Sundays or College Football Saturday. I would say it could easily seat about 120-150 people, but then I remembered they would have no place to park.

If this is a sports bar, how come I can't hear Jim Rome ranting. Instead, I was subjected to 45 minutes of emo chick music.

Conclusion: The Pour House has a lot of potential. They really need to work on the decor if they want to be considered a sports bar. It's clean and I wouldn't be afraid of eating anything from the kitchen, but the newness just makes it seem like it has no personality. You are a sports bar in a college town, try to get some North Texas stuff on the walls. And kill the XM satellite feed of Lisa Loeb.

GoMeanGreen1999 · March 12, 2008

The Pour House is located near the Cinemark theater, right next to Unicorn Lake.
3350 Unicorn Lake Blvd, Denton, TX
First Impression: Small parking lot that was filled mosthly with employee vehicles, judging from the number of customers. An ashtray is in front of the door, which screams "No Smoking Allowed"... which turns out to be true. Greeted by a friendly hostess who asked if I was going to sit at the bar, to which I said "Yes". She directed me towards the back.
You walk through the general dining area to get to the bar. The backdrop of the bar area is a large picture window overlooking Unicorn Lake (which isn't really a lake, but rather a large pond, but the view of the McMansions on the opposite shore is kind of cool). The place is still having work done, so the window is only partially tinted. I moved down to a stool to sit with the barflies and keep from being blinded by the sun.
There is an outdoor patio between the bar and the Pond for the smokers to sit and bake in the sun.
Drinks: Typical fare. Bud. Bud Light. MGD. Shiner. The usual, nothing to write home about.
Food: I had The Pour House Traditional cheeseburger and fries. The burger tastes very good, my only "beef" is that it was about a inch smaller than the bun. The fries turned out to be fried sliced potatoes, but they were good.
Staff: Pretty college girls. Friendly. The head cook came out to ask everyone how their food was.
Ambience: Well, this is where I am torn on The Pour House. I am trying to remember that this place just opened. It's rather sterile. Few things distinguish it as a "sports bar". ESPN/ESPN2/ESPN Classic was on every tv, which are all HD. The walls are sparsely adorned with generic paintings of local sports figures. There are two high points. One is a private double booth in a niche in the wall. I poked my head in and there were two televisions on the opposite wall. Nice for a group of 8-10 friends to watch a game.
Second was the Theater Room. I was impressed. Four levels of semi-circle booths, with a row of leather recliners in the front. The Big TV is in this room, along with a few dinky 52 inch HD flat panels. I imagine the room being packed on NFL Sundays or College Football Saturday. I would say it could easily seat about 120-150 people, but then I remembered they would have no place to park.
If this is a sports bar, how come I can't hear Jim Rome ranting. Instead, I was subjected to 45 minutes of emo chick music.
Conclusion: The Pour House has a lot of potential. They really need to work on the decor if they want to be considered a sports bar. It's clean and I wouldn't be afraid of eating anything from the kitchen, but the newness just makes it seem like it has no personality. You are a sports bar in a college town, try to get some North Texas stuff on the walls. And kill the XM satellite feed of Lisa Loeb.

I have a client who is doing some work on this place, and he says the owner is really trying to get this thing going, and is open to suggestions.

UNTflyer · March 12, 2008

I have a client who is doing some work on this place, and he says the owner is really trying to get this thing going, and is open to suggestions.

Good. Like I said, it has a lot of potential... the layout is interesting, and I will definitely spend a Sunday afternoon or two in the theater room come football season. They just need to address parking and the decor. And the chick music.

untbowler · March 12, 2008

May not be popular with everyone but with the MMA community beocming more popular they should look at showing the PPV for a small cover charge and that will get customers in at least once a month for the UFC PPVs, a sports bar would be better than watching it at a Hooters.

FirefightnRick · March 13, 2008

Is this Pour House in any conncection to the one in downtown Fort Worth?

Rick

UNTflyer · March 13, 2008

Is this Pour House in any conncection to the one in downtown Fort Worth?

Yes, I believe it is a new chain.

gksmith · March 22, 2008

If this is a sports bar, how come I can't hear Jim Rome ranting. Instead, I was subjected to 45 minutes of emo chick music.

I was going to ask if there were darts there but if they are broadcasting emo chick music, point is mute.

NT03 · March 23, 2008

I went last night and came away impressed. It's more of an upsacle sportsbar with a menu better than just cheseburgers and fries. TV's everywhere and has a room with stadium seating that inculdes a 144" high def screen. I talked with the owner and you can rent that room out for games , but he was still working on the specifics ( something like $25 a head , inclulds meal , but not adult beverages). Would be a great idea and perfect spot if we ever happen to land on ESPN / ESPN II again for anything. I highly recommend this place , I'll be back for sure and I'm finally glad I can stay close to home as opposed to driving to Lewisville for every major sporting event.

GoMeanGreen1999 · March 26, 2008

I went last night and came away impressed. It's more of an upsacle sportsbar with a menu better than just cheseburgers and fries. TV's everywhere and has a room with stadium seating that inculdes a 144" high def screen. I talked with the owner and you can rent that room out for games , but he was still working on the specifics ( something like $25 a head , inclulds meal , but not adult beverages). Would be a great idea and perfect spot if we ever happen to land on ESPN / ESPN II again for anything. I highly recommend this place , I'll be back for sure and I'm finally glad I can stay close to home as opposed to driving to Lewisville for every major sporting event.

I went on sunday to check it out to watch NCAA games, and I was not impressed with the TV selection. The TV in the back is good, but there is only one large TV in the whole place. It's nice to have plasma's, but I thought they didn't have near enough TV's for a Sports Bar, at least for me. I go over to Varsity Sports at the Southwest corner of Little Elm and Frisco and they have Four projection TV's along with 30 other TV's in a size half of this place.

GreenMachine · March 26, 2008

I went on sunday to check it out to watch NCAA games, and I was not impressed with the TV selection. The TV in the back is good, but there is only one large TV in the whole place. It's nice to have plasma's, but I thought they didn't have near enough TV's for a Sports Bar, at least for me. I go over to Varsity Sports at the Southwest corner of Little Elm and Frisco and they have Four projection TV's along with 30 other TV's in a size half of this place.

Varsity's is a nice venue to watch sports and drink a few cold beers. Lots of TV's and the owner is pretty cool about putting on NT games if you ask.

Mad Hatter · March 26, 2008

Why do local sports bars not grasp the fact that they're in a college town? I would love to see a place that was covered with NT memorabilia and maybe jerseys of the guys who've gone pro.

If we want to be a big time University, eventually our town has to start acting like it too.

GoMeanGreen1999 · March 27, 2008

Why do local sports bars not grasp the fact that they're in a college town? I would love to see a place that was covered with NT memorabilia and maybe jerseys of the guys who've gone pro.
If we want to be a big time University, eventually our town has to start acting like it too.

You know this is a great question - I would like to see more along the lines of support of the Mean Green - I will never understand the "Sports Bar" that has a limited amount of TV's though.

Green Nightmare · March 28, 2008

Ok This is not Advertsing

(my last post got deleted)

Glad to see some of you have visited. It is not related to the Ft Worth one.

My brother co-owns this with Rick Moore who many of you know through Sweetwater etc

My brother is a 2005 Graduate and huge fan of the program, he's been to many a home football game and NO Bowls Etc

They are actively pursuing some things with the Ath Dept, along the lines of coaches shows in the media room

They have asked for numerous NT items from the department. They will only receive limited items up until the time they pony up for some advertising

Kind of a horse before the cart situation. Budgets are tight etc.

That being said they are planning on buying some signage at Fouts but feel it not prudent at the time seeing as football season is over.

In regards to some of the issues raised. I will communicate your feedback to them they are certainly open to making it better and the NT crowd is a major focus

The late afternoon sun is being addressed. They are looking to put shades etc in, possible an awning out back. Day before the opening the windows weren't tinted, I almost spilled my beer trying to find my face
It very much is a hybrid between sports bar/restaurant. It's a balancing act and advice on how to make it work is appreciated
No clue on the music, will talk with them.
In regards to renting that room for NT games, There is no doubt I will be holding it hostage at any time we are on
The media room was wired with coaches show in mind (mics plug right in to the sound system etc)
Lack of TV's. I kind of see this from your point of view. I think there goal is to let the sports people be in the media room and the bar and leave dining alone
The "generic" painting are far from. Those were commissioned by the owners, the artist is from the Texas Sports Hall of Fame and he does all the work you see in there. Now whether or not you like them to each his own. They are all TX figures though outside of the NE one. However we were born and raised up there.
Parking was an issue the time they poured the slab. They are trying to acquire more but a lot of you are well aware how the city works. easier said than done.

So look forward to sharing a drink with you guys next year after a game or watching us on National TV, hopefully in the near future

Green Nightmare · March 28, 2008

Drinks: Typical fare. Bud. Bud Light. MGD. Shiner. The usual, nothing to write home about.

Flyer,

They are making a point to carry some pseduo craft brews. Maybe the barkeep was misinformed

They are pouring Hoegarten,Sam Adams Seasonal and St Arnlods out of Houston < oldest and best microbrew in Texas

Also the Pour House Margarita is fairly good

THE CLAW · March 31, 2008

If this is a sports bar, how come I can't hear Jim Rome ranting. Instead, I was subjected to 45 minutes of emo chick music.

I went about 2 weeks ago with some friends and they were playing the same music. We made fun of it loud enough that the bartender heard us and had it changed. They didn't have a foot rest at the bar and we said something about it too and they said it was getting put in sometime soon. I don't know if it has.

About the food: I had a pulled pork quesadilla and it was good. My friend had a burger and he said it was really good. So on the food part I give it 2 :thumbsup: