Maxwell Helman and TJ Harris, bartenders looking for a change from their previous job, decided it was time to create their own space. The idea for Warped Pour came about during a conversation at Sly Fox Pub on December 12. They envisioned a bar that would capture the essence of the Vans Warped Tour, the traveling music festival.

Their vision quickly became a reality when they brought in their friend Mauricio “Mowdi” Siemon, a production manager who oversees the outdoor event space on Wall Street Plaza. Mowdi saw potential in reimagining Waitiki Retro Tiki Lounge and encouraged the building's owners, Team Future LLC, to try a new concept. The owners agreed.

That’s where Bryce Hall came in. A seasoned photographer and tour professional – who spent years in the DIY rock world, sleeping in vans and taking photos for bands like Ice Nine Kills and Motionless in White – decided he wanted to help his friends build out the interior of the bar.

"I came up in the rock world…I did the Social so many times and slept in the van behind the Social and between sets," he said.

Within a week of the owners giving the project a thumbs up, Hall and the bar’s founders were cleaning, scrubbing, and tearing out the old tiki decor to create Warped Pour. They opened for a soft launch on December 26th, just two weeks after the concept was formed.

Hall, who serves as the bar’s creative director and booking agent, emphasized that Warped Pour is a collective effort. He brought his personal touch by covering the walls with pages from Alternative Press magazine, memorabilia from his childhood, and framed photos he has taken throughout his career. As he explains, "I'm able to take everything that I've collected over the years…I now get to display those things in an environment where people can come and take a step back in time." These personal touches, along with the rock-themed decor, create a nostalgic and engaging atmosphere for patrons.

Hall said, “All of us designed, everybody had a part in everything” – and he was just the vessel that helped make it happen.

Hall’s experience in the music industry has proven beneficial as he is able to leverage his connections to bring in live acts for the bar. He books the bands and is learning to bartend, too. He is also trying to book shows with bands he has toured with. According to Hall, the bar is booking bands for a "friend" price, and is not affiliated with any agency.

Warped Pour operates from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily, with seating for about 40 people. It shares a kitchen with the Wall Street Cantina, offering American and Mexican food options. The bar also utilizes the outdoor space on Wall Street, including a pool table.

"Our street's the only street in downtown Orlando that has a pool table,” said Harris of Wall Street Plaza.

The bar's grand opening on January 31 was a resounding success, featuring a free show by Secondhand Serenade.

Warped Pour plans to have live music at least once a month and special events twice a month, including vintage t-shirt pop-ups and food truck events. Hall also dreams of transforming downtown Orlando by creating a walkable entertainment district including an orchestra hall, a piano bar, a photo gallery, and a dive bar, culminating at Warped Pour.

With its unique blend of rock nostalgia and collaborative energy, Warped Pour is not just another bar; it’s a community hub created by people with a passion for music, art, and the city they call home.