Pour another rebrand

Chalk it up to Dad’s influence: Next month, Pour House will transform into Highwater. And it’s going to be real eclectic. Among the new menu items: chicken adobo, a shrimp po’boy, New Mexican green-chili cheese fries, kalua pork and grilled bratwurst with beer cheese.

Yes, that selection does hit the Philippines, New Orleans, New Mexico, Hawaii and Germany. It makes sense, though, when you take into account the bar’s new ownership: D.J. Rogers and Mick Stevenson of Dad’s Sandwiches and Dad’s on J. The pair bought the place from Trevor Shults (Barwest, Crawdads on the River) in the fall and have slowly been plotting Pour House’s rebranding. They already transformed the old vape lounge in the back into a second bar and added way more music to the event calendar.

On Friday, August 12, Pour House (1910 Q Street) will officially become Highwater. It’ll carry a “high desert, western theme,” according to bar manager Justin Isaacks, with a huge mural from Shaun Burner and Dan Osterhoff.

Foodwise, chef Stevenson is completely overhauling the menu with influences from his North Carolina roots, time in New Mexico and family from the Philippines. But there will also be the sort of fare you’d expect from Stevenson, like a massive burger. Between small plates, salads, sandwiches and main dishes, nothing tops $15. Highwater will continue offering brunch. Instead of the current Southern-leaning menu, expect a mix of traditional dishes and experiments, such as flan French toast. Bottomless mimosas? Check.

For the first time, the space will also serve lunch. Highwater’s hours will be 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

According to Isaacks, the main feedback the new ownership team received early on was that the food prices didn’t match the quality and it took way too long to get a drink. With the latter in mind, Highwater is abandoning Pour House’s preserves-based cocktail program.

“Simpler, no-fuss type stuff,” Isaacks says of the new menu. “We’re not trying to compete with the craft cocktail market.”

Pour House will close on Sunday, August 7, for a couple of days, then softly open until the August 12 grand opening celebration.