McMenamin’s Spar Cafe

We entered Olympia solely to visit the Fish brewpub, but they do not admit children at all so we ended up visiting our first McMenamin’s establishment here. It was pretty much as expected: a large, spacey bar area in the middle of a large restaurant with two to three different sections. English in nature and thematics with lots of old wood all over the place, very high ceilings and light wells, glasswork. Actually a pretty place, but not particularly atmospheric inside. The beers are okay, undeniably clean, but undeniably not adventurous and simply under average for the Pacific North West. Probably no surprises there. As for the food, there were a few entrées over the usual pub grub and it was again of average quality and despite the few patrons inside, took a long while before arriving. Outside the kitchen delays though, service was friendly and attentive. Not really a beer geek oriented premise, but it’s not like there are many alternatives with a family in Olympia.

Mediocre service. Alright beer.

I love stopping into the Spar on my way through Olympia. It feels like you have been transported back to the 1920’s. McMenamin’s beer is top notch. The service here is god awful. It always seems like we get the same waitress everytime, and it’s as if she just woke up from a three day bender. Service is very slow and she is not friendly, and does not see how you are doing. If it weren’t for the beer and the cool location, I don’t think I would go back as often as I do.

It’s an interesting place, a redone old diner/club. The service was really bad, though, and the beers were nothing to make me want to stay. Not much in the way of food either, so we didn’t stick around.

It’s cool what McMenamin’s did to this place to clean it up but keep the charm - of course they are the experts at that by now. The food is pretty much the same as any other McM’s - good if its what you are looking for, otherwise a somewhat limited menu. Generally serves a bunch of their regular beers & a few seasonals, plus a few macro taps. The beers vary from fair to pretty good (I am a sucker for Terminator Stout) - only a couple are actually brewed at this location, most are brewed elsewhere. Service is the usually McM’s service - great if its not busy, pretty lousy if it is busy.

McMenamins took the old Spar Café in Olympia Washington and turned it into another awesome place for beers and food. There are about 15 taps and all McMenamins beers. The food was good and the old bar looked very well, the staff was typical McMenamins and they know the beer pretty good but are as lazy as ever. When will McMenamins ever hire decent workers? If you like rustic this is the place. There are pool tables in the back and the old bar and cigars are fun to look at. This will be another great beer place for Olympia.