We aren't often in Olympia but we were in the area to see a show nearby. We had scoped out 4th Ave Tavern ahead of time because we love a good dive bar, and this place delivered. When we showed up it was pretty much dead. Given that it was around 6pm on a Wednesday, that makes sense. We were able to take a seat at the bar quickly and get our orders in. The bartender was what you'd expect at a dive bar - quick conversation, got our heavy pours to us, and then back to his conversation with his friends. The best! They had a solid selection of liquors in their bar as well as things on draft and in the fridge. Can't speak to food (if they have any) as we were just in for a couple of drinks. As mentioned this isn't our usual stomping grounds, but we'd definitely return in the future for a longer visit! read more

Great service from the short haired bar tender, Courtney. I asked her for a surprise drink and she blew my mind! She's very knowledgeable and now every time I go I only go to her! read more

The 4th Ave Tavern - a view of the bar - Bars Near Me - Olympia, Washington

Stood in line twice for over 30 minutes the second time last call was called while I was in line with only 1 person ahead of me and one at the bar and was still in line for so long that wasn't able to be served. It was my birthday and I had one drink. You guys literally ruined my birthday celebration with your slow bartenders. They could care less it was a Saturday night people were literally leaving because of the service. I will not bring my friends back down there. Prob just go to log cabin or somewhere you can actually spend time doing something other than standing in line. Also blonde bartender is really nice it's the short haired one that I feel is holding them back. read more

After a very long day of adventures in Washington my friend and I decided it was time to sit down and get a drink to rewind and relax a little. I mean it was only like 7pm but hey its 10pm somewhere in the world right? So after getting off the bus we walked around Olympia to see what kind of shops and bars we could find. We found 4th ave and decided to give it a try. We walked in and the bartender looked at us and carded us immediately. I found this to be no surprise because a lot of people in the mainland look a lot older then we do at our age. I mean even catching the bus here in Washington; people thought we were youth (which worked out since we didn't have to pay the adult fare! LOL). So we sat down in a booth and decided to get a Midori Sour and STP. The bartender didn't know what was in an STP. Luckily, I bartend in Hawai'i so I was able to tell him what to put in the drink. Then I wondered if an STP was just a local thing or if it's a popular drink in the mainland as well. On the other hand STP is more like a club drink rather then a bar drink. The atmosphere of this bar reminded me of a place you would find in Kalihi or Kanaohe. In other words, a bar full of locals in the area and a little rough and tough looking. Overall it was okay there, but personally I didn't care for it too much. read more

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Awesome until it was time To leave 145. "Bar time". Never kicked out that early at any bar that early read more

I've been running into a LOT of people who've been assaulted by someone here. At least three last week. After a report from last week, I began sitting on the bar and there have also been assaults on both Tuesday, and Friday. Friday's led to severe injury. I will keep watching this tavern but am also looking for people to step forward with their stories. If you've been assaulted by someone who is employed at this bar, or whom an employeehas exerted excessive force, please text me all the information and your contact information at 360-567-6501. Thanks This shit doesn't happen anywhere near as often or as severely at any of the other nearby bars. I am interested in journalizing these events. Even if someone else starts anything, there is no excuse for regular use of excessive force. I promise not to share any personal information if sent to me without prior permissions. Thanks! read more

Hmm, this is a tough one. I like the 4th. I like the bartenders and I like the drinks. I just had one of the worst food experiences (without getting sick.) I'll start by saying I come here every once in a while, I tend to frequent other bars more, but I've been liking it more. I had lunch here the other day, and it was pretty good bar food. I had a tasty burger-dip and my wife had a bacon cheese burger which was also tasty. With tater-tots which I always love. No complaints there. Then comes tonight. I met up with a friend from out of town, and didn't feel like coming home and cooking dinner. Went to the 4th because we could get a cocktail or two and get food to go. Figured we'd try the pizza. (yes, I know there are a ton of tried and true pizza joints in town, Al Forno, you kick ass.) But I wanted a cocktail while I waited. Got home, and saw some sort of pizza abortion, after waiting upwards of 35 minutes for it. I wouldn't have minded the wait if it had been even decent. I may be thinking that my food was either made twice back there, or maybe the dough hadn't been made yet? If the food isn't ready, or you mess it up, please let me know, so I can make my own decision as to whether I want to continue waiting or not. The crust is by far the worst crust I've ever had, and that includes the early attempts at my making my own crust at home. It was cracker thin, undercooked, incredibly floury, and just unacceptable. It was even ugly as sin. (see my pictures.) The calzone I got was moist and doughy, and the ricotta was weird and grainy. (my wife is convinced it was cottage cheese.) A place like this needs to concentrate on doing good bar food. Good, quality burgers, maybe have a variety of hot dogs, good french dips and other sandwiches. If you can't do something even decently, take it off the menu and add something that you can do well. I still like the 4th, hence the three stars still, but I am very unhappy about this experience, and I hope that maybe someone reads this and gets those pizzas out of there so no one else has to have a ruined meal. read more

The 4th Ave Tavern - Pizza? - Bars Near Me - Olympia, Washington

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Hey my best friend got a hamburger cider... That was the best ketchup-tasting cider this side of the Mississippi. If you're looking for a hamburger-good time in a cocktail, in a pint glass, this is the place. read more

Bartender can NOT handle a weekend crowd. Was clearly upset about something not work related but could not keep up with the drink demand.

I came for a show and I wasn't sure what to expect. I anticipated the bedazzled jeans and eclectic crowd, but other than that I have spent zero time in Olympia, so I had no frame of reference. It is also hard to imagine what a show in an unfamiliar venue is like-- will the sound be ok? Is the space so small and echo-y that my ears will be ringing DURING the concert and not just after? Do they treat the bands okay? Luckily, 4th Ave Theater (which is what I heard it was called-- am I wrong? Yelp can't be wrong, right?) came through on every count. I had pleasant interactions with staff-- a pretty brunette was in the bathroom and warned me out of a stall. She cleaned it and was funny and helpful-- later I learned she was one of the bartenders. Restroom checks on a busy show night spell stellar service. The stage is in the back in a separate room past lots of pool tables and the bar and seating area. The sound booth is off to the right side of the stage, and the guy seemed like he was doing an okay job of both taking band requests on sound levels and setting things up. There is a ton of seating and a floor area in front of the stage for those kids who want to be up close to the action. There is a walk-up counter near the restrooms where you order food-- I also had the pleasure of dealing with the cook, who kindly served me even though it was close to kitchen close and even delivered my food into the back show area. They take cash or you can add it to your tab. I wanted my tip on the food to go directly to the cook, and I'm sure my friendly bartender got it to him, but keep that in mind if you come. Garlic cheese fries are crinkle cut and really well seasoned, along with the perfect greasy accompaniment to a night of drinking. The hot wings were also delicious. read more

My wife and I just step into the 4th this evening. And the bartender said no to her long island order and everyone is cut off.

Used to be my favorite spot. Been a great regular for years, but some of the newer staff have an attitude problem for no reason at all. I understand times are tough right now, but yall need to chill read more

Came here for a few drinks after brunch. Typical dive bar - lots of pool tables in the back. Laid back place with laid back people. read more

The 4th Ave Tavern - a variety of liquor bottles - Bars Near Me - Olympia, Washington

Staff seems to not be able to handle a weekend crowd. takes forever to get a drink, and the bartenders are rude. don't waste your time or money going here. and if you do go, watch out for the bald bartender, she is the most rude one. read more

You want to have a great time where they serve great drinks? Where the staff is amazing to the point they make you feel like family well.... This is not the place. This feels like were thurston county's finest come to join. This is the place were you can get a STD and a needle at the same time for the low price for free. If there was a star lower then one I'd give it that but there isn't read more

Learn how government-issued ID works before you're in the business of checking it. I have no interest in using your business for those times I travel to Olympia, purely because of your practices. read more

We were hungry. It was Lakefair and Olympia was poppin off. The parade had ended. The streets were bustling with people. We were hot and a little tired. Refreshing beverages and some food was on the agenda. "Excuse me," someone behind us asks. "Do you know what time it is?" A blonde girl on a BMX bike thanked us for the time and when we asked her what bar with food she would recommend us. She threw out some suggestions. We rejected where the "young kids like to go" and ended up here. It is an interesting place with interesting people. Ordering drinks and ordering food are done at separate registers. A little different but whatever works, I guess. We had a booth seat near the entrance. I saw a clown order drinks. In the bathroom while I washed my hands, this woman walked in. I think she had a few too many. "I think I'm going to beat him up," she shouts at her friend who is in the other stall. "As soon as I find this toilet, I'm going to beat him up." I can see why she would be confused. The door is camouflaged. The women's bathroom is tiny enough that it is amazing there are two stalls. It gave me pause too and I hadn't even started drinking yet. The food was all right. I wasn't expecting spectacular food. My gyro sandwich was all right. The crinkle fries (I LOVE crinkle fries) were the best part about the meal. The drinks were good. Gin and tonics are so refreshing in the summer. Would I come back here again when I'm in Olymbia? Heck yea! Interesting people and good drinks. What's not to like. read more

4th Ave Ale House & Eatery was something I had only seen at night, and in an extremely crowded situation. To belly up to the 4th Avenue bar during the light of day was nothing short of a great treat. The 4th Ave has a fantastic jukebox, a huge room of pool tables, a predictable selection of domestic-micros on tap, sandwiches, pull tabs, and of course - the infamous "back room." This room is my favorite. A full stage with plenty of tables suited for any local band to host the show of all shows. This just about covers all my bases, and makes the 4th Avenue Tavern by far my favorite dive in Olympia. Joe, The 4th Ave's 12-year veteran bartender, chatted us up, asked questions about our day, talked Oly talk with us, and made sure our beers were as delicious as we expected them to be. We studied the dusty and aged paraphernalia taped to the back wall while a shower-challenged man ate his sandwich next to us. He politely informed us that at the end of the bar sat the owner of the building and the owner of the tavern. We felt as though we were in the presence of Oly-celebrities, yet we were comfortable as though we were right at home. read more

Many visits later, I am more of a fan. I am a semi-regular, even. Burgers are slidey and delicious. I like the green chile burger at Hannah's better, but these are up there on the bar-burger scale and highly customizable. read more

Horrible, violent employees. Dont go here. My husband came home with marks all over him and he has NEVER once started a fight. Yet they beat his ass because he was "knocking at the door yelling at them"... after getting thrown out. They said he "tripped the bouncer".... Which wasn't intentional as the bouncer grabbed him from behind without announcing his position and he simply got his foot behind him which caused him to trip, that was not the same thing as "fighting". He was pulled out into the middle of the street by two men. Then held down by one man and beat by another in the middle of the street. Try a nonviolent approach in the future. Someone being loud.... Is not an excuse to attack someone or grab at them physically. My husband asked me not to post this at the time it occurred, but i cant think about that night without thinking about how traumatized he was by it all. And seeing his medical reports just reminded me of how badly he was hurt. And i cant live with myself not warning people of this. It's dangerous. read more

There's not a whole lot to say. It's a dive bar. It's decent. They have beer. They have booze. Good lighting? Not too bright and not too dimmed. It's a good size and seems like it would be good for accommodating large groups. Interesting crowd outside.. We watched one guy gently place some pliers on another guy's nipple. Then I saw the second guy tear the pliers off his chest. .... So I'd say come here if you want to maybe drink heavily. read more

Drink specials are cheap, the burgers are good, and they even have clams (steamed or fried) on the menu. They have pool tables, an air hockey table, and the most pinball machines I've seen together in one place so far in Olympia: The Addams Family (Bally, 1992) - a lot of non-working lights, very dirty playfield, weak kickout on the electric chair, and an occasional propensity to reset completely mid-game for no apparent reason. Still fun and quite playable, however. High Speed (Williams, 1986) - fine condition. World Poker Tour (Stern, 2006) - fine condition. Disturbing backglass. Warning: Avoid playing the pinball machines when the pool table closest to the street is in use. It's too cramped, and if they're polite, the pool players will have to come up with inventive new shots to get around you. read more

Great atmosphere. Bathrooms were well kept too. I did not have any food but I assume they would be good. Drinks were great and very well priced. There is darts, pool, and fun bar games to play. Super cozy place. Great, friendly staff. read more

never have had their food but drinks are usually good and the bartenders are awesome, very friendly and try their hardest to be quick and get the line going. the have many pools tables and large area but it does get crowded, just a very popular location. read more

Could be a decent dive bar if the bartenders paid 2 cents of attention to their customers rather than holding bottles on the bar while they don't pour or serve gossiping... pretty sad when the bartenders do eventually serve a drink and don't break eye contact from each other to even take your cash! Horrible service horrible staff! read more

I had a good time here. The food was good. It was cool to play your own music through the app.

Best bar downtown. I bring my wife here every year on our once a yr anniversary trip. Awesome place. read more

I was excited to go out in Olympia for the first time. Maybe I'm spoiled by how awesome Colorado is. We sat at the end of the not so busy bar for 15 minutes before I decided to get up and go stand in front of the two female bartenders who were ignoring us. She said she didn't see us. Seriously? We're sitting ten feet away. I worked in the service industry before, these bartenders sucked. I never was even asked if I wanted another beer so we decided to go somewhere else. They would be better doing retail, definitely suck as bartenders. And the beer was flat! read more

If you have ever wanted to know what it would be like to be in the movie deliverance come here. Odd crowd, kitchen looks like a mortuary with a guy lurking in the background (creepy as f&$k). Beer was flat and warm, skip this spot read more

Love this place, my people know this is my spot and chances are I'm going to be there any weekend night. Love the staff Jim, Joe, T Bone, Alethea (spelling) Whit, Jeremy and the blonde cook... But I don't like going when the one cook is there. Makes me feel like a burden every time I try and order something. And I tip... I literally choose not to go when we know he's there. Unfortunately it's for football as well. The one downfall is ONE cook. Definitely loses money when he's there. read more

This place often has great bands booked with a pretty good sound system. This a casual dive that gets very busy. I tend to come when someone I know is playing. This is a place to come when you want to be around people on the weeknights. The days are good for meeting up with a friend or two for drinks or pool. read more

Great bartenders. Strong drinks and good pub grub. Cheap too. Lots of pool tables and other games. A long bar and lots of booths and tables. Somewhat suspect clientele, as I said the drinks are very strong and cheap but overall the great bartenders make up for that. Fun place on the weekend too! Checkout if in downtown oly and you need a stiff drink! read more

The fourth ave is fun place to get drunk and play pool. The jukebox is lovely and they used to have guns and roses pinball, which made it the coolest place in the universe for a time. The food is pretty okay as well. read more

Love it. Best bartenders, tons of variety, Oly's largest music venue, and local seasonal clams. Decent pub fare, lots of games. I own Last Word Books, the independent bookstore and print shop across the street, and we have affectionately dubbed the long table in the front window our 'office.' Good folks to have on your block, they defend their own, keep an eye on our turf and treat everyone fairly and neighborly. read more

Pool table and pool tabs. Live music some nights. Slurring & Stumbling drunks from open to close. What's not to love? Well the prices are on the steep side for an Olympia watering hole. But I keep finding my way back so it can be all bad read more

A dear friend visited this location and was denied service when asking for a non-alcoholic drink, all because she had a permanent resident ID. She was told it wasn't government ID, when it is. The bartender's demeanor changed from friendly to dismissive and unfriendly the moment they discovered she was an immigrant. I've visited the area before. I don't plan on going here again, ever. read more

It is a fun place to hang out at the only problem i have is the cover charge to get in

The food here is so great. The best chicken tenders in town, hands down. Order the burger or chicken strip basket. You won't regret it.

First, they have the best Bloody Mary's around, for a fair price. A little zing, a little spice, and plenty of the dog that bit ya last night. Bartenders are great people...bands on the weekend in a decent sized room, plenty of pool tables, and the crowd is real people...not pretentious hipsters. You find all kinds here, street gruffs, hotties, bikers, locals, metal heads, ancient ol' bass turds, and their all pretty friendly. Food...meh, could be lots better, but there is plenty of food around the area. Good pours, good prices, good people, good music. My kinda joint. read more

The 4th Ave. is pretty avg. itself. They have pretty decent drinks and pool so you can watch your friends get drunk and try to take you on with a pool stick and cue ball. Other than that, it's pretty much the same old place you'd expect anywhere. read more