The environment inside of the Spar is not sketchy at all – when compared to other “night life” options in Olympia.
It’s a seat-yourself kind of place – definitely don’t forget about the private booths in the back (we only noticed those while we were walking out).
The environment is relatively quiet, at least on a Monday night, when we were there. The only thing I have to say is that the service is a little slow, but that is to be expected at a drinking establishment.
Otherwise, the food was really good for the price, as were the drinks. The people were friendly and the lighting was wonderful for a romantic date (my anniversary with my boyfriend).
I was pretty satisfied.

Mcmenamin’s has certainly got their aesthetic and their M.O. down to a science. Unfortunately, what they have sacrificed in the process is any semblance of real flavor or uniqueness. Bad food, bad prices, bad service, the unholy trinity. Sadly, I have come to expect this more and more from any restaurant with more than three locations. I think that there are just far too many differences regionally to be so spread out and expect there to not be an exponential drop in your product. Victims of their own success and the “American” drive to grow, Grow, GROW! Fifty-some-odd locations has put these brothers McMenamin to the test, and I for one found their Olympia spot sorely lacking. Hell, the Spar had surly staff serving greasy frozen food for decades before these guys and their team of history usurping designers came along. It’s crap.