Our Story
The Pour House at Machinery Hall is Chillicothe’s original gastropub, proudly serving the community since opening our doors on June 30, 2017. Our chef-driven menu features familiar, elevated cuisine paired with an extensive selection of craft beer and handcrafted cocktails. Designed as a welcoming space for friends and family, The Pour House invites guests to eat BETTER, drink LOCAL, and live SOCIAL.
Our home at 25 East Second Street carries a rich history that dates back to 1881, when the building was originally constructed and named Machinery Hall. Built as an implement store for farming and industrial equipment, the structure was designed to complement the neighboring building at 21 East Second Street. The Ross County Register described the original layout on September 18, 1880:
“The lower room will be 15 feet high and 100 feet deep. A partition will divide the room, but leave an opening 24 feet wide and 12 feet high. In the rear of the building will be a door 16 feet wide to allow admission of machinery. The second story will be used as a dwelling containing a parlor, bedrooms, dining room and kitchen.”
Over the past 145+ years, Machinery Hall has undergone several transformations, including the addition of a 100-foot rear extension. The east-facing exterior wall still proudly displays a 19th-century Mail Pouch mural, and the building has housed a variety of businesses over the decades, from a record store to an office supply shop.
In 2016, the current owners purchased the property with a vision to restore the building and create a vibrant downtown restaurant experience.
A full renovation began in December of that year and lasted seven months. Significant structural upgrades were required, including replacing a major wooden support beam with a steel beam to reinforce the second floor. The entire rear addition was demolished and rebuilt, now housing a modern commercial kitchen and a stage for live entertainment and private dining. A 16-foot glass garage door was added in tribute to the original machinery entrance.
Throughout the renovation, great care was taken to preserve the building’s historic character. Original brick walls were restored, and reclaimed lumber from the structure was repurposed into the bar top, beer flight paddles, tap handles, accent walls, and picture frames, including the frame surrounding an 1889 map of Chillicothe. Portions of the original wood flooring were refinished and remain in use today. The storefront was rebuilt to match its original architectural design, and historically accurate windows were installed on the second floor, which now serves as office space.
In 2022, The Pour House expanded once again with the addition of a Rooftop Terrace featuring lounge seating and dining space overlooking the historic Majestic Theatre. This elevated outdoor space provides guests with a unique atmosphere for dining, social gatherings, wedding showers, and special events, adding yet another way to experience Machinery Hall.
Machinery Hall has been thoughtfully restored to modern standards while honoring its 1881 roots, ready to serve Chillicothe for generations to come.
We invite you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the history and charm of Machinery Hall, along with the hospitality, cuisine, and beverages of The Pour House.
Thank you for being our guest, and #pouronchillicothe.
Meet The Team
At The Pour House at Machinery Hall, our greatest asset is our people.
Our team is made up of more than 60 dedicated servers, cooks, bartenders, and support staff who share a common passion for hospitality and guest experience. Every member of our crew plays an important role in creating the welcoming, energetic, and memorable atmosphere our guests have come to love.
From your first greeting at the door to the final toast of the evening, our team is committed to providing attentive service, genuine care, and exceptional food and beverages. We take pride in the details, because we believe the little things are what turn a great meal into a truly unforgettable experience.
Below, you’ll meet the leadership team who guide our vision and support our staff every day, helping ensure that every guest feels right at home at The Pour House.
Erica Woodard, General Manager
Erica has been a vital part of The Pour House at Machinery Hall since February 2021, helping guide the restaurant’s continued growth and success through strong leadership, teamwork, and a genuine passion for hospitality. While her professional background began in pet retail, Erica quickly found her calling in the restaurant industry and The Pour House remains the first and only restaurant she has ever worked in.
As General Manager, Erica thrives on tackling challenges, coordinating successful outcomes, and leading a dedicated team that shares her commitment to excellence. She believes the heart of The Pour House’s success lies in its people. Her focus remains building a talented, hardworking team that continues to grow stronger each year.
For Erica, great hospitality means anticipating guests’ needs and creating special moments before they even realize it’s happening. She takes pride in connecting with both guests and staff, and always looking for ways to make each visit a little brighter.
Outside of work, Erica enjoys reading, shopping, and spending time with her veiled chameleon, Stella Bob. Her favorite menu picks include the Quinoa Bowl with Chicken for lunch, Short Ribs or Crab Cakes for dinner, the Breakfast Bologna Sandwich for brunch, and the Cinnamon-Vanilla Espresso Martini from the bar.
Erica hopes every guest feels the passion, care, and love for the Chillicothe community that define The Pour House experience.
Michael Ingram, Executive Chef
Chef Michael has been leading the culinary vision at The Pour House at Machinery Hall since November 2023, bringing more than 20 years of hands-on kitchen experience to the team. His career spans every role in the kitchen from dishwasher to Executive Chef, giving him a deep appreciation for both the craft and the people behind every plate.
For Chef Michael, success is measured in a guest’s first bite. Seeing genuine reactions to his food is what drives his passion and creativity each day. He believes great hospitality starts with exceptional cuisine, and that when food is prepared with intention and heart, it speaks for itself.
What sets The Pour House apart, in his eyes, is its commitment to delivering chef-driven cuisine to a community that truly deserves it. His approach focuses on bold flavors, thoughtful execution, and dishes that guests can enjoy exactly as intended.
Outside of the kitchen, Michael enjoys spending time with his family, attending toy shows, and catching up on some well-earned rest. When it comes to drinks, his go-to choice is always a West Coast IPA.
Chef Michael is thankful for every guest who dines at The Pour House and hopes each experience leaves you feeling welcome, connected, and inspired by what great food can bring to the table.
Payton Walsh, Assistant General Manager
Payton has been a dedicated member of The Pour House at Machinery Hall team since July 2022, growing her career from server to bartender, Front of House Manager, Bar Manager, and now Assistant General Manager. Her background in customer service, combined with hands-on hospitality experience has shaped her strong focus on guest experience and team leadership.
What Payton enjoys most about her role is building genuine relationships with guests and contributing to the community she grew up in. She takes pride in being part of a business that supports Downtown Chillicothe while creating memorable experiences for locals and visitors alike.
Known for her clear communication, organization, and adaptability, Payton leads by example and is always ready to step in wherever she’s needed. For her, great hospitality means making every guest feel welcomed, comfortable, and excited to be there regardless if it’s a casual dinner or a special celebration.
Payton’s favorite menu picks include the Short Ribs or Spicy Chicken Sandwich, paired with a Cinnamon-Vanilla Espresso Martini. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with friends and her two cats, exploring new restaurants for inspiration, and practicing photography.
Her goal is for every guest to leave feeling cared for and eager to come back.
Emma Steinbrook-Smith, Marketing and Sales Manager
Emma joined The Pour House at Machinery Hall in November of 2025, bringing a diverse background in hospitality that spans coffee shops, private golf courses, and a variety of guest-facing roles. Her well-rounded experience gives her a strong understanding of both service and sales, allowing her to support the restaurant’s growth through thoughtful marketing and meaningful community connections.
What Emma enjoys most about her role is the collaboration she experiences every day with such a close-knit, supportive team. She brings strong time-management skills, sales expertise, and a positive can do attitude to everything she does while ensuring that both guests and team members feel valued.
To Emma, great hospitality is about creating warm, lasting impressions through intentional interactions, even on the busiest days. She believes in delivering top-notch service while staying connected to the community The Pour House proudly serves.
Her favorite menu items include the Chicken Pesto Linguine and Pub Fish & Chips, paired perfectly with a glass of Prosecco. Outside of work, Emma enjoys reading, cooking, shopping, watching football, and spending time with her husband and family.
Emma hopes every guest leaves feeling welcomed, well cared for, and impressed by the entire dining experience.
Alice Hout, Front of House Manager
Alice has been a valued member of The Pour House at Machinery Hall team since August 2024, bringing more than 10 years of restaurant experience and five years of leadership in hospitality management. Her background across a variety of restaurant roles has helped shape a strong understanding of both guest service and team operations.
Alice brings a genuine dedication to hard work, care, and consistency, believing that love for the job and commitment to the people around her go hand in hand. She takes pride in helping create an environment where guests feel welcomed, supported, and excited to return.
To Alice, great hospitality is about building a sense of community and familiarity, where guests feel comfortable with the staff and look forward to friendly service and great food. She believes The Pour House stands out for offering a menu and ambiance that are truly unique to Chillicothe.
Her favorite menu item is the Chicken Pesto Linguine with extra pesto. Outside of work, Alice has a fun hidden talent, she can play the trumpet!
Alice hopes every guest leaves feeling connected to the team, satisfied with their experience, and excited to come back.
Ben and Kelly Daughters, Owners
Ben and Kelly Daughters are lifelong Chillicothe residents, CHS Class of 2000 graduates, high school sweethearts, and proud owners of The Pour House at Machinery Hall. In 2015, they purchased the historic Machinery Hall and led its restoration. They opened The Pour House in 2017 with a vision of creating a chef-driven, community- focused dining destination in the heart of downtown.
During Ben’s military service, the couple lived in several locations across the United States and had the opportunity to experience a wide range of restaurants, entertainment venues, and community spaces. Each new city brought memorable experiences and often the same thought: “Why doesn’t Chillicothe have this?” Those shared experiences helped shape the vision for The Pour House, which today reflects a patchwork of inspirations blended with their own twist on local hospitality, food, and beverage.
In 2012, after redeploying from Afghanistan, Ben returned home to a moment that deeply impacted their family. Their two-year-old daughter didn’t recognize her daddy. That experience, along with the pull of home, reinforced their desire to return to Chillicothe after Ben’s military service and build a life rooted in family, community, and meaningful connections.
Ben holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Ohio University and served on active duty as an Infantry Officer in the U.S. Army from 2004–2012. He deployed twice overseas and earned multiple military honors, including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. After his military service, Ben joined and expanded his family’s Dairy Queen business while also growing The Pour House into one of Chillicothe’s premier restaurants. He remains actively involved in the community through leadership roles with Downtown Chillicothe, Inc., the Ross County Convention and Facility Commission, the Chillicothe Education Foundation and previously on the Ross County Board of Health.
Kelly holds a Bachelor’s degree in Retail Merchandising and minor in Business from Ohio University and an Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene from Western Kentucky University. Early in her career, Kelly spent seven years working in the restaurant industry as a server and bartender, shaping her passion for hospitality and guest service. She currently works as a Dental Hygienist in Chillicothe and serves as a trusted partner in the family’s business ventures. Kelly is also deeply committed to community involvement and previously served with the Junior Civic League, helping lead fundraising efforts that supported local initiatives.
Together, Ben and Kelly are raising their three daughters in Chillicothe and remain committed to preserving the city’s history, supporting its growth, and creating welcoming spaces where great food, great people, and community come together.
