(Image by: Heather Goldsworthy)
UPDATE: May 2, 2009
One of Vancouver’s most talented and dedicated bartenders, Mr. Jay Jones, has given his notice at Voya this morning and will be opening a new place of his own design called “Pourhouse” in the old Flux Bistro location (162 Water Street) just southeast of the steamclock in Gastown. The opening is planned for the end of summer.
The Pourhouse will have 135 dining seats with 25 bar seats. The bar program will be “spirit focused” and the overall concept will be “back to basics drinking and eating,” says Jones.
Jay’s business partner and executive chef of Pourhouse will be the well-travelled Chris Irving (formerly of The Pointe at the Wickanninish Inn, West, and Gordon Ramsey’s Petrus).
This project is looking to be a great addition to a neighborhood in full transformation. We are looking forward to the opening, gentlemen. ~ PK
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Excellent! another notch up for my neighbourhood. Looking forward to gracing the bar seats.
congrats Jay! I look forward to checking out your new place!
YAY. that is excellent news. I can’t wait.
Congratulations, I can’t wait!
Fuck yeah….
Good Luck Chris!!! Hold it down Jay
Oooh, exciting! (Love the name.)
The name may be a bit too much for the area. This is the poorest postal code in Canada. I am sure it is not intended but this name may step on the toes of many longterm residents. Most who have lived in the area respect that this is an area that has both the rich and poor. Those coming down to Gastown should be aware that we want to keep the area as a diverse living place. Hope folk take this as the perspective of a 15 year Gastowner. Best of luck with the venture
I’m confused by your post….the name is Pourhouse…not Poorhouse, right?
Indeed it is the “pour” house. Pour/poor have the same pronunciation – therefore a double entendre. Folks will be saying “Meet me at the pour/poor house”. I can already hear the snickers about what is likely an unintended double meaning. Please consider the context of the neighborhood. We deal with poor bashing all the time down here.
For those who have not lived in our community it may seem overly sensitive but we have experienced the era of the missing women and a number of bar related murders down here. Many I have talked to feel the name has potential issues owing to the double entendre. Just sharing some local insight and feelings on the name.
For those unfamiliar with what a “poor house” was wike the term.
Not once did the word “Poorhouse” come to mind when Pourhouse was unveiled. However, I *did* think of whorehouse..
Poor is “correctly” pronounced the same as tour, not pour. So there shouldn’t be any confusion.