
By Alyssa Ramsfield
The neighborhoods that scatter across Olympia vary in size and population. Off the beaten path of bustling downtown, at the 3300 block of South Bay Road, you’ll find South Bay Pub and Eatery. This isn’t your average bar, but instead a gathering place for friends and family of South Bay.
In 2011, Eric Dickerson along with his wife Savantha Dickerson (owners of South Bay Dickerson’s BBQ), Keith Lampard, and Mark Christensen (former owners of Darby’s Cafe) went into business together to open the pub.

“Everyone said it wouldn’t work,” explains Eric Dickerson. “The bank wouldn’t give us loans. They didn’t think it was a good location to open a restaurant. My business partners and I disagreed so we fully funded the entire venture ourselves.”
“I was born and raised in the South Bay neighborhood,” says Dickerson. “I knew there was a need for a place for neighbors to hang out, relax, and enjoy some food. The neighborhood has shown this by making the pub so successful. Initially, we didn’t even advertise that we were opening. We just turned on the open sign and people started coming in.”
As the neighborhood streamed into the front doors, Dickerson noticed an incredible trend. “People I had grown up with from grade school were eating there with their families. It has been so cool to watch so many people reconnect through our location. Most of our business is regulars who are all from the South Bay area making it a great place to get to know your neighbors. We’ve all become such a close family here.”
“It really feels like family here,” describes Dickerson. “On Christmas Day, we had a potluck and the whole neighborhood shows up. It is packed! It just blows me away to see how many people were spending their Christmas with neighbors. It is a tradition we hope to continue in the future with the families here.”
The South Bay Pub and Eatery serves breakfast on the weekends, plus lunch and dinner throughout the week.

The neighborhood joint also boasts a variety of wine and beer on tap. The home-style food offerings vary from sandwiches and wraps to mouth-watering burgers. Please note that the eatery is cash only.
3323 S Bay Rd NE
Olympia, Washington 98506
Hours:
Monday from 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Tuesday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Friday from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Saturday from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Sunday from 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.