“I don’t go to bars, I go to bartenders.”- Dale DeGroff
Our Story
Our story began over twenty years ago in a fine dining restaurant in Charleston, South Carolina, where we both started as server assistants. We immediately connected through a shared instinct for people and a natural understanding of hospitality — something that came easily to both of us.
Although our careers took us to different cities and even different countries, we were never far apart. Weekly phone calls, shared ideas, and a constant exchange of experiences kept our friendship strong while we continued learning from chefs, bartenders, winemakers, distillers and owners across the industry.
The Welcome Pour is the result of that lifelong connection — built and operated by both of us, combining decades of experience, mutual trust, and a shared belief that hospitality is always better when it’s personal.
Elliot Miller
Elliot Miller
Co-Founder & Partner | The Welcome Pour
Elliot Miller brings a deep, hands-on knowledge of spirits, cocktails, and bar operations to The Welcome Pour, shaped by more than two decades in hospitality across a wide range of environments. Raised on the water just outside of Charleston on Johns Island, Elliot developed an early appreciation for craftsmanship, hospitality, and the sense of place that now informs his approach to beverage and service.
His career spans high-volume dive bars, fine-dining restaurants, and luxury resort properties, providing a well-rounded perspective on both the technical and human sides of hospitality. Elliot has played a key role in the opening and development of several highly respected establishments, contributing to menu development, bar systems, guest flow, and overall experience design.
Certified through Pernod Ricard’s spirits education program, Elliot’s passion lies in spirits education and storytelling. He has traveled extensively throughout the United States and abroad, visiting distilleries and learning directly from distillers and brand founders to deepen his understanding of production, technique, and tradition. He brings this knowledge to guests in an approachable, engaging way—translating complex ideas into memorable, accessible experiences.
At The Welcome Pour, Elliot focuses on creating intimate, spirit-driven gatherings that emphasize connection, curiosity, and genuine hospitality, drawing on both his coastal roots and extensive industry experience to elevate each evening.
Morgan Chapman
Morgan Chapman
Co-Founder & Partner | The Welcome Pour
A Florence, South Carolina native, Morgan Chapman brings over two decades of hospitality experience and a deeply rooted passion for beverage, service, and guest experience to The Welcome Pour.
Morgan studied Business Administration with a concentration in Hospitality & Tourism Management at the College of Charleston, beginning a food and beverage career in Charleston while still in school. Morgan rose through the ranks of Charleston’s bar and restaurant scene, ultimately serving as Sommelier and Bar Manager at the acclaimed McCrady’s, where a lasting dedication to thoughtful service and beverage craftsmanship was solidified.
This foundation led to a transition into wholesale and distribution, joining AdVintAge Distributing in Charleston with a primary focus on launching the Craft Spirits Division for South Carolina, later transferring to Raleigh, North Carolina. Throughout North Carolina, Morgan held key roles with notable distributors including Kellogg Selections and Proof Wine & Spirits, while remaining closely connected to the hospitality industry through hands-on work in bars and restaurants across the Raleigh-Durham area. In 2021, Morgan relocated to Nantucket, Massachusetts, working the season at The Gaslight before returning south. In February 2022, Morgan partnered with Jeanne and Jason Queen to establish Cook’s Mill Straight NC Whiskey, further expanding experience in brand building and spirits production.
Now based in Charleston, South Carolina—yet equally at home in either Carolina—Morgan continues to shape refined beverage experiences through The Welcome Pour. Morgan is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, Cicerone Certified, and brings over 20 years of hospitality experience, with more than 15 years dedicated to beverage, cocktails, wine, and spirits.