New Year’s Eve is the time to gather with friends and welcome the coming year’s fresh prospects and opportunities. And a great place to ring in 2026 is in downtown Olympia at the grand opening of Altitude 15, an exciting new culinary and cultural destination.
Altitude 15 founders Cher and Mike Hobbick invite the community to join them at the ribbon cutting and launch of their new business on December 31, 2025, which includes an evening party and charity fundraiser. Find your best formal wear and reserve your tickets now to usher in the new year at this innovative food hall and venue that is opening in the heart of the State Capital’s historical and vibrant business community.
“We really believe in downtown Olympia,” says Cher. “We want people to see Olympia as we see Olympia.” And the Olympia they see embraces locations and opportunities for the community to gather together. Altitude 15 is striking that chord as its New Year’s Eve tickets are quickly being snapped up and Cher anticipates a sell-out event.
Tickets are available online through advance purchase (no sales at the door). Tickets include couple of complimentary beers, glasses of wine or signature cocktails; hors d’oeuvres hosted by Cher’s Bite Me Catering; grand opening ribbon cutting with Miss Washington Amber Pike; aerialists; palm readers; awards ceremony; raffle; photo booth; and a Vegas-style casino benefiting the Olympia Downtown Alliance and Olympia Union Gospel Mission.
Olympia Welcomes New Downtown Business Destination Where Local Chefs, Artisans and Community Come Together
Cher says the idea for a local food hall came to them after seeing similar venues in Austin, Texas, and Portland, Oregon. “What we really wanted came down to creating a place where people really want to go, where there is good food in a casual environment, and where you don’t need to make a phone call or reservation,” she explains. “You can meet friends, drag a table over and make it an extension of your space.”
The new Altitude 15 space is the product of work and devotion that overcame challenges as the founders brought their business to life. In fact, when construction funding ran out, Mike and Cher sold their home while they pivoted and adapted their mission and business plan to keep the couple’s unwavering commitment alive, creating a food and gathering location reflecting their love for Olympia. Cher says they are thankful for the support and encouragement they received from the community including the Thurston Economic Development Council, the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce, the Olympia Downtown Alliance and the South Puget Sound Community College.
Located at the corner of State Avenue and Franklin Street, the new venue’s design by Emmy Award-winning creative Aaron King of Koncept Design Group transformed a vacant space into an inspiring destination for community gatherings and culinary exploration with eateries where patrons order what they want and sit together. The remodeled venue features indoor and outdoor spaces, thanks to the work of Carve Architects, FORMA Construction, the Hobbicks and their team including craftsman Don Tullo. The space gives a permanent home to Bite Me Catering and Atlas, a new restaurant and bar owned by Cher and Mike. The building’s open concept will ultimately feature four different eateries in a comfortable setting.
Dress Up for Altitude 15’s Grand Opening New Year’s Eve Party December 31, 2025 with Ribbon Cutting, Food, Fun and Toasts
While the Altitude 15 space is for all ages, the New Year’s Eve grand opening party is for 21 and older and runs from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Attendees dressed in cocktail wear, suits and elegant evening garb will experience a fun-filled agenda with gourmet bites, drinks, music and opportunities to celebrate.
- Altitude 15 Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting (7 p.m.)
- 360 Degree Photo Booth (7-9 p.m.)
- Altitude 15 Competitions (7-11 p.m.)
- Tarot & Palm Reading (7:15-8:45 p.m.)
- Oyster Boys Raw Bar (7:30-9 p.m.)
- Sparrow Studio Aerialists (8-9:15 p.m.)
- Vegas Casino Room (8:45-11:30 p.m.)
- New York Champagne Toast (9 p.m.)
- Hold My Beer Obstacle Course (9-10:30 p.m.)
- Best Sparkles Cat Walk (10-11 p.m.)
- Chicago Champagne Toast (10 p.m.)
- Cookies & Coffee (10:30 p.m.)
- Denver Champagne Toast (11 p.m.)
- Downtown Olympia Champagne Toast (Midnight)
Get your tickets now to sip, savor, and play the night away as Thurston County welcomes 2026 and a contemporary era for eating and gathering at Altitude 15, a new downtown Olympia venture. Discounted hotel rooms for the New Year’s Eve party kickoff are available at the DoubleTree by Hilton in downtown Olympia.
Altitude 15
225 State Avenue NE, Olympia
Sponsored
