Swing Wine Bar & Cafe

It can be a great place. Their cocktail menu is really good and always well mixed. The appetizers have a nice combination of things and beautifully arranged. BUT their protein on main dishes is ALWAYS overcooked and underseasoned. It’s on a pricey side but tolerable.

Katy was amazing! What a great server! Recommendations where spot on, and included the amaretto sour with the bourbon soaked cherries, bacon wrapped chèvre dates, and blueberry mignonette oysters — yum!!!

Amazing, Amazing, Amazing! I frequent Swing once a week (okay twice a week). Swing is a triple threat… fantastic drinks, awesome views and stellar service. Let’s start with drinks… of course they have wine their name is Swing WINE Bar… they have great wines and the staff is very knowledgeable and will help you find a wine that suits you, but what I find amazing are the cocktails… I have been to cocktail bars from Seattle to San Diego and Swing not only holds their own they excel. fresh squeezed juices, handmade shrubs and top shelf liquors! And of course the views are amazing. Nothing like sitting out on their patio and taking in the beauty of Olympia, NOW to the most important part of this review… service let me shout that SERVICE!!! When I go out I don’t want good service .no I want FREAKING FANTASTIC service otherwise I would stay home and drink in my pajamas right??? So to me fantastic service means
#1 The host greets you and gives you an accurate wait time (not some BS)
#2 The bartenders are conversational and care about what you want to drink not what they like to make.
#3 The wait staff is interested in actually waiting on you and making your experience one that will not only make you want to return but invite others back with you!
Swing always gets all of 3 of these right. every time! I am a regular so they could just slack off and know that I am going to be back in a couple days, but they don’t and they wouldn’t!
Oh crap I almost forgot to mention the food it’s amazing! I love their grilled artichoke and the lamb pops and the baby kale caeser salad and oh the homemade pies and …

Gave Swing another try tonight and was delighted. Excellent, friendly service by Justin. Refreshing cocktails at reasonable prices. Several well-​executed, small plates. It was a slow night so we had lots of time to catch up without feeling like we were holding a table from turnover. Of course, it’s a great view. Had a very pleasant experience.
I was really concerned about the gender-​neutral bathrooms (single occupancy). My goodness. What if someone of nonspecific gender had been in there before or after me?! I guess, we just have to take the risk! (sarcasm)

Want a Wine Bar with a view of Capitol Lake? You’ll find it here. But is a view really all you want? This experience was so odd it almost sounds unreal as I type it.
Four of us arrived just after 4PM to enjoy a lush rush happy hour with two more friends who would arrive soon. When we asked to be seated outside, our hostess/​server informed us the outdoor seating had been reserved already, but she could seat us inside by the window. Since no other patrons were there yet, we asked to sit outside until our friends arrived. She was reluctant, but agreed… then led us outside: «Here is the table where you can wait for your the rest of your party.» It surprised me that she really wanted us to sit at a specific table when about ten tables were outside. The table to which she directed us had only three chairs, and she went all the way across the «yard» to get a fourth chair from a stack of chairs rather than pull one from the next table.
When the fifth member of our party arrived, our server informed her, «Well, you’re the fifth member, so I’ll have to bring your party inside.» She approached our table and ushered us inside, saying, «I still have that table inside for you.»
She eventually took our orders and forgot to bring the food for one of our members. To her credit, she admitted she forgot once we brought it to her attention. Nevertheless, the undercurrent of unfriendliness remained.
This experience was unwelcoming. Cold. Odd. Maybe she was having a bad day… but I won’t be back to find out.

Lovely vistas of Olympia. A great deck overlooking the south Sound. Certainly a lively scene depending on the evening. This is certainly a place to see and be seen for locals.
Five star service but three star food. The drinks are well made and certainly a great selection of Washington wines. The staff definitely made up for the mediocre food. My other half ordered a plate of the pork sliders. He liked the pretzel bun, that was inspired. But the slaw was far too tangy, and left a lot to be desired.
We do plan to return on a warmer summer evening to the deck to try another appetizer and apéritif. My Aperol spritzer hit the spot and was just what the doctor ordered!

I was a big fan of this place! Stopped by on a whim with a friend after a long day of work. The ambiance was AMAZING, it was such a cool place. For the atmosphere alone, I’ll definitely be taking friends/​family who come to visit. The servers (we had two, because of a shift change) were both very friendly and fun, and gave excellent recommendations.
We tried a few different dishes and everything was wonderful. The mushrooms get my highest vote. They were INCREDIBLE! The only reason I’m giving it four stars instead of a five is because the food was a LITTLE pricey for the portion size. But that being said, I did really enjoy getting being able to order tasty fondue without having to go somewhere like The Melting Pot and paying a lot more money.
The drinks were delicious, as you would expect from a place with «Wine Bar» in its name.
Altogether, great food, great drinks, great atmosphere. Not somewhere I’d go regularly, but definitely a fun place to go occasionally. Can’t wait to take my sister!

Pricey! But delicious! Tried this place out for the first time with a girlfriend for happy hour. We missed their ‘lush rush’ so had their full priced menu. We sampled a few small bites and their charcuterie option. The tacos and tuna poke were amazing! Unfortunately the charcuterie was way over priced at $ 22! Drinks were also delicious. I had their mojito. Be careful what you order and their up charge prices for premium liquor! View and atmosphere were beautiful. I’d go back being more mindful of the lush rush and lower prices.

We had heard good things about swing and went last night. It was only half busy and we were seated at 5:45. Our server brought water very promptly and took orders for the rest of the group that we had joined and did not take the orders for the six of us who had just arrived (we had 12 at our table). We assumed she would be right back. We began to feel like the server was «waiting us out» and did not come back to the table for 20 minutes… conveniently 5 minutes after happy hour ended. When we started our order with the brisket sliders she told us she would have to see if the kitchen would make them since they are only on the happy hour menu. We clarified with her that we had been waiting for a while and we’re here during happy hour time; she began to tell us that she would have to check with the manager but then changed that to she would make it happen. We ordered 5 appetizers off the lush rush menu and six beverages.
Upon time to close out our tabs the server apologized more than once for how slow things were and that she appreciated our patience (everything was very slow). Once our bills finally arrived only one beverage was happy hour priced and nothing else. When I asked her about it she stated we missed happy hour. I told her that we clarified with her at the beginning of our order and were told it would be fine. When reminded about that conversation she stated there was nothing she could do. We paid our tickets and I highly doubt that we will return. And for paying full price I definitely would have chosen different food off the menu than what I chose trying to be thrifty. I can see why people enjoy it there but myself and the five people I was with will not be returning.

I’ve been here a handful of times and every time has been fantastic. The food is delicious and their original drinks are fantastic. I also love that it’s an upscale 21 and over place. I have two children and sometimes what you need is a meal with no kids in a place that isn’t a dive bar.

This place was great. Great happy hour menu! Great craft drinks, awesome view over Capitol lake. I can see how this could be really busy. Bonus; happy hour is all day on Mondays.

Stopped in with my husband and mother in law for a few drinks and the lush rush happy hour. This place is a converted house and we were able to snag a seat next to the big window over looking the lake. The ambiance was great and out serve was nice, offering several suggestions.
I had the tour de France flight and a glass of the featured red. All of these were good and in line with what I enjoy drinking. My husband ordered the bourbon flight, and his pours were very healthy. My mother in law sampled some of thier champagne cocktails. Everyone was pleased with their beverages and they were pretty reasonable for the price. We sampled some of their appetizers, stuffed mushrooms and oysters Rockefeller. The oysters were hands down the best I have ever had. Wonderful flavor combination, a bit sweet, a bit salty. I am rating this place a 4 only because I thought the food was great but the portion was a bit small for the price.

Great atmosphere, cozy but classy, cool but comfortable. Everything is well thought out, from Course to course. You don’t just come here for a drink or a bite, but for an experience.
They have AMAZING original cocktails, I’d recommend «the smoke gets in your eyes.» They also do great takes on traditional cocktails, beer, wine… they’ve got it.
Can’t remember the last time I’ve had better service anywhere. Our server Stephen was amazing.
Location is overlooking capital lake.
Oh, and for someone (like me) who typically doesn’t like mushrooms, the Gorgonzola stuffed mushrooms are ridiculously good. I had two plates!
All my thumbs are up for swing.

2 words, beef brisket. That is all.
Okay, I came here for my 21^st birthday (because, actually, apparently I am 50) and it was just dreamy. The food (beef brisket), drinks (Girl, you have no faith in medicine) and view (golden hour, over looking Capitol Lake as the sun was setting on a balmy summer evening) were spectacular. I am writing this review nearly half a year later because, actually, apparently I am a procrastinator.
This place is definitely catering to a certain (upscale) crowd/​clientele and my bougie self is happy to mosey right on in.
The service was attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. As it was my first time here, our waiter really took the time to explain the menu and drinks to me. Others in my group were very pleased with the wine and beer menu.
Now, back to the beef brisket, it was moist and full of flavor. I sampled my companions duck dish and it was delightful as well.
The service and food were phenomenal, I’ll definitely be coming back again.

I stopped into Swing after some Olympia Christmas shopping at the iconic Drees. A sharp, high-​end host greeted me in a crisp, white shirt and vest. He interacted with me with service one would experience in a savvy big city restaurant.
I sat at the shared bar area that overlooks Capitol Lake. Though it was dark, the glistening lights made this spot oh-​so-​perfect. Stained glass set in wood covered by a glass top provided a classic feel. When my server, Chandler, greeted me he explained the black and white photos on the nearby wall, one of which was of a couple married in the very spot where I was sitting (it’s an old house). Another vintage photo was of a group at a table drinking Seagram’s.
Chandler was extremely professional, warm, friendly, competent and informative. He has the touch of outstanding service that I value. I had the beet cocktail which I loved, followed with a glass of wine, which I chose after he brought me three samples (at his offer). I had said «bring me whatever you think would be good.» I rarely see service these days like this.
The smoked salmon kale Caesar salad I had for dinner was perfect.
The manager sat at the bar with his laptop (I was in early; 5ish), and directed the unfolding of the night, including coaching Chandler on what wine to bring me.
The whole experience, from the ambience, to the food, to Chandler’s outstanding service, was second to none. I’ve already planned a night here with one of my friends.
I recommend dining and relaxing at Swing.
Cheers to Swing!

It is hard to write a review where the service was super, the ambiance wonderful, the food preparation top shelf and a very nice wine list — but the menu really was not my taste. We went here with friends who love the place but obviously have different palates than my wife and I. For me, a 3. Hard core foodies would give Swing a 4 or 5.
None the less, I’d recommend Swing to any one, with out any reserve of mine. I trust I am the odd one considering the full restaurant.

This would be great for a date night, especially in the summer, with very romantic outdoor seating. Or even a girls night.
I first visited here over the summer with a group of girlfriends for wine and appetizers. We sat under a covered area outside, and had a great view of Lakefair as it was going on. Which I thought was cool! Our wine towers were tasty and cool to look at. I highly recommend trying the fondue!

Welcoming staff, great view, pleasant music and best of all… great wine!!!
Saw it as I drive by and had to stop!

Lovely place. Amazing food and wine. Perfect spot for a girl’s night out… Or something more intimate. Booth seating has curtains that can be drawn for more privacy…
The views are stunning. I love Olympia… Day or night she is purdy. This is a great place to take advantage of those views.
The boar belly was delicious. Bacon wrapped dates… Whoa. I’ll have to revise the way I’m currently making them!
Pinot Noir was bold and delicious… Another to add to my collection!
The service was impeccable.
Cannot wait to come back for more… Yes, it’s that awesome!

This place is COOL!
The view is spectacular, the environment is cozy and warm, the waitstaff know their stuff, AND the food is great!
We came in here looking for a place to have appetizers and a few drinks — and noticed right away that we maybe should have made reservations! It was busy, but the super friendly hostess made us feel like we weren’t a burden and got us seated fairly quickly.
Our waitress was quickly out with waters and also quick to recommend some flights of wine for us to try. For $ 8-​$ 10 and three samplings of wine, I felt this was a pretty good price and especially since the gal was very helpful in picking something out for us.
We ordered a few appetizers and were pleased with all of them. They all seemed a little fancy and a tiny high on price, but it’s exactly what you’d expect from a venue like this.
I highly recommend this place for a girls night, or a date night!