I know I don’t look the hottest when I’m sporting my workout clothes and no makeup, but that’s no reason to run away when I arrive. I couldn’t even catch one name of the three adults working the Nisqually Bar & Grill on Martin Road in Nisqually; they were way too busy gossiping in the kitchen the entire time I was there.

 

I’m not saying the service was bad; it actually was done “by the book.” But it was “by the book” and that was all. The few sentences I extracted out of my server were, “What can I get you? How’s your food?” and, “Ready for your check?” It was like pulling teeth trying to start up a conversation, something I’m not used to at all in a dive bar. Being the only person sitting belly up bar top did not impact any forms of concern that I was all alone, and right in front of them — while they ignored me, of course.

 

I noticed pull tabs, pool tables, and literally hundreds of old beer taps lining the ceiling, yet upon examination of their current drafts, there seemed to be nothing out of the ordinary. I saw Sam Adams, Widmere, Pyramid, Dick’s, maybe some cheap domestics, and then I noticed “HALO IPA”. Do you know what that is? It’s Budweiser’s newest IPA. My beer world has finally landed inside an alcoholic matrix when my cheap domestics have entered the dimension of micro-flavors. I blinked in disbelief as I sipped my ice cold Black Butte Porter.

 

My favorite part of Nisqually Bar & Grill, besides the yummy food and extremely cold beer, is the outside seating. For the love of all things biker (their primary crowd), Nisqually Bar & Grill has developed a covered smoking area. It is cleverly named the “Butt Hut”.

 

Butt Hut. C’mon, you know it’s funny. I sure think so.

Nisqually Bar & Grill

10323 Martin Way E
., Olympia, WA 98516
360-491-6123



Food: Steak Bites and Fries with their secret pink sauce — cooked unbelievably perfect.

Beer: Frosty glasses and pretty good selection.

Service: By the book.

Bonus Points: Family dining!

 

Bar Exam Dive Grade: C+