Pourhouse bar and grill opens in Salem
From left, Terri Nichols, David Nichols and Ronda Jennelle. Photo by Avery Eliades of So Salem
A new bar and grill has opened in Salem in the building that formerly was occupied by Potsey Joe’s, and before that, Long Branch Restaurant.
The Pourhouse opened its door Jan. 21, one of the owners, Ronda Jennelle said. Jennelle ran a deli inside the Clearbrook Mini Mart on U.S. 220 for a year before closing that to open the Pourhouse with Terri and David Nichols. The Nichols are her daughter’s in-laws.
Customers will find four beers on tap (Natural Light, Coors Light, Bud Light and Miller Light) and typical bar food: hand-patted hamburgers, hot dogs with chili, coleslaw, Philly cheese steaks, pizza, buffalo chicken, wings, BLTs and BBQ. The bar does not plan to sell liquor.
Perhaps what makes this bar and grill stand apart is its outdoor corn hole pit and three Colonial Downs Off-Track horse betting machines.
The Pourhouse is located at 414 8th Street.
February 20, 2013 - 6:00 AM
Interesting beer selection
Very disappointing, garbage beer and a burger dive. Roanoke/Salem appreciates fine beer. Most grills have an amazing selection today.
They have a very good opportunity if they go back to the Long Branch roots, which was a money maker for several decades. Thick baloney sandwichs, real burgers and hot dogs, brown beans with a ham bone. Good reasonable price beer, not the snob beers, but good beer.
Sounds like a dump.
This is perfect………for Salem!
You have to remember that most places around the Roanoke area with a as you would say “Finer beer selection” Have been in business a little while longer and have had the opportunity to try new things. I think that what the beer selection that they have will do fine until people come in and give an input on what they would like to see in the bar! As far as the food goes, I personally can’t get over how fantastic the cheese steaks are and the fresh hamburgers! The staff is very welcoming and they make you feel at home by remembering your name! I think that once you come you will continue to want to eat there! GOOD JOB GUYS BEST OF LUCK
Considering the location, menu and customer base, I think they have the correct offering. I plan on trying it out.
The pour house has great food and awesome service, best restaurant on the east . If you want a good burger or a great New York style dog go eat.
Check out the walls and the artwork on them. Hmmm…
I’m glad they only serve light beer.
Some of us like to watch our caloric intake and stick to light beer when getting our fill of cheesesteaks, pizza, and chili dogs.
Just what the area needs..a dive bar that serves horrible beer.Let me guess,this is their first business endeavor? Good luck..your going to need it.
The beer listed is just draft they have other stuff like bud, yuengling, mich ultra, coors and such in bottles.
I’m definitely going to try this place out now knowing that I’ll never have to bump in to Eddie there.
Well anyway I truly wish Rhonda, Terri and David good luck. Maybe I’ll try a cheese steak for lunch one day since I don’t drink beer at lunch. You all should consider getting one quality beer on tap just for a trial run. Devils Backbone would be an excellent choice.
Great place for lunch or dinner or just to hang out! Good food and cold beer. Light beer selection on draft, they added Bud, Coors, Michelob Ultra, & Yuengling (bottles) ! My kids love to eat there too !
It’s easy to see who works there by the comments LOL!!!!
Corn Hole and cheap beer. Sounds perfect for college kids
Bryan, good point.
Yesterday I commented on maybe trying a cheese steak. You guys don’t use Steak-um’s do you or do you?
I have been there; several times since they have opened. I do not work there, nor am I related to anyone there. Everything I have eaten there has been great, down home, real food! The people there are very nice and make one feel at home. I rarely drink beer, but there is a wide selection of bottled beer there too besides the draft beers for those so inclined. Anyway, I was impressed enough to have returned many times and will continue to do so. Those who have spoken ill of the business in this forum seem to have some agenda of some kind. It’s a pity such people are so mean spirited, but I am glad to know they will not be there. For I do not wish to have them ruin my enjoyment of the good food and people when I and others are there.
I don’t know who “Eddie” is but obviously he’s never eatin at the Pourhouse….and I have a few times…. and EVERYTHING I have had was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! Maybe we should ask EDDIE about the restaurant he OWNS!!!!! And if the Longbranch was such a MONEY MAKER than it would still be open
Good Luck to the POURHOUSE I wish them all the BEST and they are going to do GREAT!!! Before you comment you should actually know what you are talking about 
and Long Branch is ONE word LONGBRANCH
Just sayin….know what your talking about before you comment !!!!!
Ashley you must have been commenting on D.W. Bradley Smith’s comments so I’ll finish what you missed. Moneymaker is one word, baloney is spelled bologna, sandwichs is spelled sandwiches. Now to Ashley’s comments: “eatin” should be spelled “ate”, “your” should be “you’re” Ashley I didn’t even comment on your lack of punctuation! So Ashley, I’ll use your own words, “know what you’re talking about before you comment!!! This is hilarious!
okay guys really you guys should try something out before you disrespect it, its not fair give the pourhouse a chance
Took the whole family to the Pourhouse tonight for the first time. The food was awesome, we all had something different and we all were very pleased. The people that work there were great too! Loved the jukebox and all the signs on the walls. Really enjoyed it, hope to back there soon. If you haven’t already tried it, you NEED too.
BEST OF LUCK YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!
I enjoyed eating there tonight. The food was delicious and the service was quick and awesome. The owners are really nice and they make you feel like you’re at home. I loved all the pictures hanging on the walls and the variety of music that was playing the entire night. It’s so little and quaint, I’m definitely going back there again and I’m going to recommend this place to all my friends. Everyone should definitely try it.
You know!
I just realized why nothing stays here in the Roanoke Valley! Read your comments! Quit being a snob and give the people a chance!
Good Luck with Bone Fish Grill, Chili’s, Cheesecake Factory, Ruth’s Chris,etc. to ever set up shop in our fine Valley!!
Hasn’t been open for several days…wonder what’s going on?
@Salemite: I’ll call and see if I can find out.