Pour Decisions aims to be good choice for patrons

Nearly 15 years ago, Chandler residents Jackson and Monique Armstrong began making regular visits to Dos Gringos in Old Town.

Like most regulars of the establishment off Craftsman Court between 3rd and 5th avenues, they shed a tear when it closed in fall 2015.

Now, nearly eight years later, the taps have begun flowing again at the 10,000-square-foot establishment, only with a different concept. 

After a lengthy bidding process, the Armstrongs secured the winning bid on the space revamped it to reach a more mature demographic rather than compete with other Old Town establishments.

“In my head, what I wanted was something that was going to be for our age demographic that would also revitalize the street and definitely the space,” Jackson said.

“Everything on (the other side) of Scottsdale Road is for a younger crowd and the people that grew up going to this bar now have some nostalgia when they come in here.” 

What emerged was Pour Decisions, a modern bar and restaurant geared particularly toward millennials.

It features a rooftop bar, inside restaurant seating and an outdoor patio equipped with a bar and an intimate stage for live music.

“A patio bar is probably the most sought-after thing in Scottsdale since there are only a couple in the City that are not affiliated with a hotel,” Jackson said. “Everybody also likes to hang out on a patio. So when you get a rooftop on top of that, it's a double whammy.” 

After signing a lease in December, the Armstrong’s took advantage of the skeleton space and draped it with floral decor, neon lights, murals and flat-screen TVs. 

Pour Decisions is focusing on serving up a selection of craft cocktails and elevated bar food like pizzas, salads, sandwiches and tacos. 

“The food menu is not just old crappy bar food. It’s really supposed to be an upscale version of a nice bar to go to,” Jackson said. 

While the menu chock full of tasty bites, the cocktail menu arguably packs the biggest punch. 

“We know that people eat and drink with their eyes so when people order a cocktail, we want it to be a cocktail that the entire table will want because of how good it looks,” Monique said. 

Monique hopes that the appetizing look of the cocktails and their mixologists’ efficiency at the bar will set Pour Decisions apart from the pack in a city that is thriving with cocktail joints. 

“I want something that's going to stand out amongst the rest because there's a lot of mixology bars and a lot of cool craft cocktail bars that have started to come back in the last couple of years,” Monique said.

“We also want to have a selection of different types of cocktails that touch on each appeal.” 

Though it is a tough choice, Monique said some of her favorites are the mezcal and “Pretty Ricky” cocktails and the Frosé. 

The Armstrongs also are looking to do much more than serve drinks and food. 

There are plans to host country music concerts in the works and the couple hopes to host corporate and charity events at their ample space. 

“We kind of let the community dictate what they want here and it's leaned a lot more into country music because there are not a lot of places up here that are doing that at all,” Jackson said.

“We built this bar for the female demographic more than anything else and we know that the female demographic right now is into country music since it’s the music they can dance and have fun listening to.” 

The owners hope to make Pour Decisions a destination for patrons looking to enjoy a gorgeous drink, delicious food and enjoy a lively atmosphere. 

“We're big on experience and atmosphere and we want people to walk in and experience what we're trying to represent here in Scottsdale then tell 10 of their friends about it after they leave,” Monique said.

Pour Decisions

4209 N. Craftsman Court, Scottsdale.

480-452-6123, pourdecisionsscottsdale.com,

See website for hours and menu.