Rafael and Toni Salem are driven by positivity and opportunity. While vacationing in Florida in 2022, the couple spotted a self-service bar concept that sparked inspiration. Just nine months later, they brought that vision to life in Hamilton with the opening of The Pour House—a self-pour drinking establishment offering 42 taps of beer, seltzers, ciders, wine and mixed drinks. It was an immediate hit.
As word spread and the crowds grew, the Salems doubled down. Earlier this year, they expanded The Pour House to include a full-service bar and more seating, all within the heart of Hamilton’s revitalized Entertainment District. But the couple wasn’t content to stop there.
“What drove us the most was to bring innovation to Hamilton that no one else has done,” Rafael says. “There are enough landmarks, bars, restaurants and shopping. What can we bring that no one else has done?”
The answer: Pour House Pedal—a 14-passenger, pedal-powered party-mobile that’s now touring around Hamilton and turning heads in safety orange.
“It is an experience,” Toni says. “It is a totally entertaining experience.”
The custom pedal wagon features 10 cycle seats for the energetic and four bench seats for those who would rather cruise. A licensed driver is included (so no steering is required by riders), and the Pedal can even move on its own without pedal power, though pumping the pedals adds to the fun.
Best of all, it’s BYOB. Riders can either bring their own drinks or purchase them at The Pour House before boarding. Just be sure to check with staff about what’s allowed because there are a few restrictions.
The wagon is loaded with extras, like a TV, phone charging ports, LED lights, front and rear cameras, seatbelts and handy storage compartments for purses, backpacks and coolers. The Pedal rolls through Hamilton’s Downtown Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA), allowing passengers to sip drinks and stop at bars, restaurants and shops within the district.
“We want to help make Hamilton a destination,” Rafael says. “The growth in Hamilton, the positivity, and all the support from the city has been great. It drove us to want to do more in the community.”
“Everything we put in blooms right in front of us. The people outside of Hamilton need to know what is going on here and see all of the beautiful things Hamilton has to offer,” he says.
With Pour House Pedal, there’s more than one way to roll. Riders can choose from a variety of themed tours:
· History Tour
Showcasing downtown landmarks and stories from the Great Flood of 1913.
· Sculpture Tour
A tribute to Hamilton’s “City of Sculpture” nickname, highlighting public art pieces throughout DORA.
· Shopping Tour
Stop at a variety of boutiques and locally owned shops.
· Bar and Restaurant Tour
The classic crowd-pleaser for food and drink lovers.
“It’s not just pub crawls,” Toni says. “We didn’t want it to just be a night or evening thing. Our drivers can suggest routes. Hamilton is known as the City of Sculpture and we wanted to highlight that. If you aren’t interested in art, there is the history tour, which talks about the old paper mill and the historic German Village.”
Booking is easy with online reservations, and the Pour House team is happy to answer questions by phone. Pedal tours typically launch every two hours and are ideal for corporate team building, bachelor/bachelorette parties, birthdays or just a spontaneous night out.
“This is something you can come to Hamilton for,” Toni says. “Come for the whole package. Start at the Pour House, take a Pedal tour to explore Hamilton without having to drive yourself. Hop on and off and experience everything in Hamilton.”
PourHouseofHamilton.com, 513.805.4090, 138 Riverfront Plaza, Hamilton