McMenamins Spar Café

From one family to another — welcome to McMenamins!

Olympia's beloved Spar Café was family-owned for 60 of its 70 years of existence and then changed hands to another Pacific Northwest family — ours! From its original days as a blue-collar joint for dockworkers and loggers to its modern reinterpretation as a gathering spot for students, politicians and legislators, The Spar has a long-running history as an anchor of the community.

08/30/2024

We're teaming up with McKenny Elementary PTO! On September 17th, bring everyone you know out for burgers, beers, wine, cocktails, salads, sandwiches, tater tots, the day's specials and more - because at the end of the night, 50% of the evening's total dine-in sales are donated to the beneficiary! The more you order, the more is earned for a good cause! 😁

08/23/2024

Vi Lenhardt made her mark on the Spar Cafe with 26 years of bartending and serving as President of the Olympia Bartender Union before her departure in 1976. Her portrait, along with others who shaped our history, hangs proudly on our walls. Come find her and celebrate the legends who built our pub! ✨

08/16/2024

When you see father-daughter duo Sally and Jay walk in with their pool cues, you know it’s Tuesday! They’re here every week for the Happy Hour specials and a little friendly competition. Any bets on who's going to win next Tuesday's game? 🎱

08/01/2024

We absolutely ADORE our regulars! If you've popped in for a weekday breakfast, you've probably seen Diane and Larry chilling in their favorite spots at the end of the lunch counter. There's also a good chance you've met our awesome server, Amanda! We know we're known for eclectic vibes, but it truly is the people who make our pub vibrant. ✨

07/26/2024

It's Jerry Garcia's birthday, and we're ready to jam out to Grateful Dead and start dancing in the streets! Celebrate with us all week long, from July 28 through August 4, with food and drink specials like the cheesy-smothered Further Fries and the refreshing Tie-Dye Trip cocktail, Passport stamps, and plenty of merriment. We'll see you there! 🥳

07/18/2024

Looking for a place to fuel up your little one? We've got the perfect menu for the 12 and under crowd! Stop by for kid-friendly food portions during Lake Fair this weekend to keep your little ones going strong for all the festivities! Because nothing powers a carnival-game-domination like Scooby Snacks and fries. 😁

07/10/2024

At five o’clock on Friday afternoon, June 28, 1935, The Spar opened its doors to the community, drawing folks from far and wide—even by plane! Back then, it was downtown Olympia’s ultimate 'sporting man’s paradise,' boasting the 'finest eating and recreation parlor' around.

Over the years, this place has seen it all—pool halls, card rooms, betting, various bars, and more remodels than you can shake a cue stick at. Through it all, The Spar’s charm and hospitality never wavered, always keeping Olympia coming back for more.

While its reign as the 'soul of Olympia' has shifted over the decades, our 1935 Art Deco gem still has plenty of fun in store. Now proudly part of the McMenamins family, The Spar extends a warm welcome to all to rediscover this historic spot on 4th Avenue.

Welcome to the Spar. Again. 😊

07/03/2024

It's the beginning of the month and we have new specials to kick it off! Feast on the flavorful Big Island Nachos loaded with huli huli chicken and topped with spicy sriracha cheese sauce. Craving something lighter? Try our BLT Crispy Chicken Salad featuring crispy chicken, bacon, tomatoes and a tangy dressing over crisp lettuce. For a savory delight, savor our Electric Seoul Steak Tacos with shaved ribeye and Korean BBQ sauce wrapped in soft tortillas. Come on in and try them today – which one will become your new favorite? 😋

06/27/2024

We see you're on a mission to complete your McMenamins Passport! You've worked hard to earn those three stamps at the Olympic Club, but we have one final challenge before you complete the page. Can you find the legendary fish-god Dagon within our pub? 🐟✨ Happy hunting!

06/21/2024

Early birds, rejoice! Start your day right with our breakfast offerings! Here's when you can catch us flipping pancakes and brewing fresh coffee:

🍳 Monday to Friday: 7AM - 11AM
🥞 Saturday & Sunday: 7AM - 12PM

But wait, there's brunch! On weekends, we keep the breakfast vibes rolling with our brunch menu from 12PM to 3PM, featuring a curated selection of breakfast favorites.

Take your breakfast experience to the next level with our signature morning cocktails and come join us for a breakfast feast that's worth waking up for! ☕

06/17/2024

Celebrate Pride Month with us as we honor and support our incredible LGBTQ+ community every day! Join us in raising a glass to love, diversity, and unity with our special Pride cocktails: Out and Proud, a vibrant mix of Empress Gin, Aperol, soda water, St. Elderflower syrup and pineapple juice, and Love is Love, a delightful blend of Midori, Empress Gin, Blue Curaçao, pineapple juice and grenadine. Let's toast to love in all its beautiful forms and enjoy these delicious creations as we celebrate the wonderful LGBTQ+ community all month long! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

06/13/2024

Looking for a refreshing way to beat the summer heat? Our mocktails have you covered! Cool off with the Tea-Tini, made with black tea and fresh-squeezed lemon juice, or the Grapefruit Pom Mon Paloma, featuring sparkling Ruby seltzer water, grenadine, and fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice. 😁 And with our new summer hours—Sunday-Thursday 7 AM to 11 PM and Friday & Saturday 7 AM to 1 AM—you can enjoy these delicious non-alcoholic cocktails any time.

06/07/2024

Father's Day is just around the corner, and we've got the perfect treats to show Dad how much you care. Say 'I love you, Dad' with our selection of ci**rs, sold right here in-house. Or, treat him to a whiskey flight and let him enjoy the rich flavors of his favorite spirits. Whether he enjoys a smooth smoke or a fine drink, we've got everything to make his day special. Stop by and pick up the perfect gift for the best dad ever! 🥃🚬❤️

06/04/2024

It's no shocker that we love cider (could it be any more obvious?), so of course we're celebrating World Cider Day! From pints to flights (and taking the cans to-go), we're going to make sure one of these beloved beverages is in our hands at all times. 🍏✨

06/01/2024

We're raising a toast to love, diversity and inclusion! We proudly support our LGBTQ+ community every day, and we're especially excited to celebrate Pride Month with you. Here's to celebrating who you are, supporting each other and spreading love one shot at a time. Let's honor and uplift each other, today and always. 🌈

05/23/2024

Raise a glass because May 25th is National Wine Day! Whether you prefer red, white, or rosé, we've got a wine to suit every palate. Join us to celebrate with a glass or take a bottle home with you. Cheers to National Wine Day! 🍷

05/21/2024

Cheers to our incredible servers on National Server Day! Our amazing team keeps the good vibes going, the beer flowing and the laughter rolling! 😁✨

05/19/2024

May 22nd marks National Liquor Day, and we're stocking up on all your favorites for the occasion! Whether you prefer rum, whiskey or the smoothness of vodka, we've got you covered. Let's toast with the spirits that make life more spirited! 🥃

05/12/2024

Happy Mother's Day! Today (and every day) Mom deserves nothing by the best - including cocktails! Treat her to a classic mimosa made with our Edgefield Blanc de Noir. She'll raise a glass to that! 🥂

05/10/2024

Sunny days are here, and you know what that means - barbecue season has arrived! It's time to break out the barbecue and lawn games because we've got all the essentials to elevate your sunny day gathering. From your favorite mustards to slather on your hot dogs to your go-to ales to keep in hand, we've got you covered. Come on over and stock up on all your barbecue essentials! 🌞🍺

05/07/2024

Mom deserves the world, but what she really wants is your time. Start her special day early by pampering her with breakfast. It's the perfect way to show her just how much she means to you this Mother's Day! 🥞

05/03/2024

May the 4th be with you, young Jedi! Join us in a galaxy not so far away and sip on our special Baby Yoda Cocktail, crafted with Spar Vodka, triple sec, a splash of Apple Pucker and freshly squeezed lime. The force is strong with this one! 🍹💫

05/02/2024

Get ready to place your bets and don your best hat because we're watching the Kentucky Derby! Join us on Saturday, May 4th, for an afternoon filled with horse racing excitement. And no Kentucky Derby is complete without Kentucky bourbon, so it's a good thing we have a wide array! Doors open at 12:00 pm, followed by the big race at 3:24 pm. It's sure to be a day of high stakes and high style – see you there! 🐎👒

04/26/2024

For us, the best part of waking up is having a McMenamins Coffee Roasters blend in our cup, and we want to share that joy with you! Come in and discover the different varieties of our blends to take home and start your day with. We even have new travel mugs so you can take the joy wherever you go! ☕

04/24/2024

We've been waiting all year for it, and it's finally here! Olympia's Spring Arts Walk is happening this weekend, April 26th - 27th! Grab your walking shoes and get ready to stroll around downtown during the street closure hours: Friday 6-10pm and Saturday noon-6pm. With so much art to see, it's a good thing we're conveniently located in the heart of downtown for a quick refuel with an order of Cajun Tots and Ruby! 😉🎨

04/22/2024

Bringing the outdoor inside is a whole vibe 🌿✨ This Earth Day, grab a pint, play some pool and enjoy the real plants bringing life to our pub 🌎

04/20/2024

It's National Look Alike Day, and we're all about it! Do you have a look-alike? Stop in and toast to your likeness with our favorite doppelgänger - Umbrella Jimmy! Whether it's in a bottle, glass, or can, you'll notice the matching accents and colors are the same. 🍇

04/16/2024

Whether you prefer the taste of juniper and fresh citrus or full bodied and floral, we have options for your perfect Gin & Tonic ✨

04/12/2024

You know what makes any weekend SO much better? Beer. Good thing we have plenty of your favorites to enjoy straight from the tap or on the go in a can! Come make your weekend better with a quick stop at the pub! 😁

04/09/2024

You look like you're in need of some nostalgic gaming. Oh, look! Pinball machines. How convenient for you! 😁🕹️

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Address


114 4th Avenue E
Olympia, WA
98501

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 11pm
Tuesday 7am - 11pm
Wednesday 7am - 11pm
Thursday 7am - 11pm
Friday 7am - 1am
Saturday 7am - 1am
Sunday 7am - 11pm

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