Dillinger’s, a downtown Olympia destination for cocktails, is closing
After nearly seven years of craft cocktails, small plates and speakeasy chic, Dillinger‘s Cocktails & Kitchen is closing. It’s a victim of the coronavirus and of the restrictions aimed at containing the virus’ spread.
“Downtown is just not vibrant right now,” said co-owner Lela Cross “All the local bars are closed. All the walk-through traffic that we got after 10 o’clock and on the weekends is gone. People aren’t walking.”
“We got a lot of business around shows at Harlequin and the Washington Center and the Olympia Film Society,” added Sandy Hall, the other co-owner. “Without those things happening, and without people coming in and having a nice dinner before they go out on the town, it’s just not the same.”
The restaurant, at 406 Washington St. SE, Olympia, is no longer open to the public, but appointments are available for those with gift certificates and for members of the Four Roses Bourbon club. (Email info@dillingersolympia.com.) The neighboring Dillinger’s Cheese & Provisions has also closed.
The Facebook announcement of the closure attracted more than 100 comments from people — including Audrey Henley of the film society and Jill Barnes of the Washington Center — who are sad about the news and have happy memories of the restaurant and bar, known for its creative and classic cocktails, for the former bank vault converted into a cozy seating area and for such kitschy special events as Tiki Tuesdays and December transformation into the pop-up bar Miracle.
Though they will miss Dillinger’s and being part of the downtown they love, Cross and Hall were matter of fact about the closure. “It’s a great business decision,” Cross said. “It will allow us to get some rest and start a new adventure somewhere down the line. Financially and mentally and physically, it was the best decision that we could make.
“We’re really thankful for the support that we’ve gotten and the friendships that we’ve made and the nonprofits that we’ve been able to help,” she added.
“Of course we’re sad, but this is the time that we live in,” Hall said. “Not everybody gets to live their dream the way we did, and it was a beautiful dream.”
Cross has been involved in downtown Olympia restaurants — including Capitale, Cielo Blu and 222 Market — for more than 30 years.
Asked if she had any thoughts about what would come next, she hesitated. “We’ve made this decision, and we’ve been really focused on following through,” she said. “There hasn’t been much time. I’m just hoping that when one door closes, another opens.”
Dillinger’s is not alone in its struggles during the extended closure, Hall and Cross said.
“This will be a story that unfortunately repeats,” Hall said. “I would like to emphasize trying to find ways to support restaurants by getting to-go food or cocktail kits or gift certificates. Now more than ever, they need you.”
This story was originally published September 12, 2020 at 5:45 AM.