Oliver's Lounge Gets Seattle All Shook Up For 40th Birthday Celebration

12/04/2016 12:00

SEATTLE, April 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Mayflower Park Hotel announces a birthday to be remembered. Oliver's Lounge came to being in 1976 and is celebrating 40 years as Washington State's first 'daylight' bar. Back in 1976, Seattle welcomed the first season of Seahawks football (in the new Kingdome) and Washington State Blue Laws were repealed. This landmark change meant that pedestrians could view bars and lounges from the streets of Seattle. Oliver's Lounge was lucky enough to open as the first 'daylight' bar in the entire state of Washington. 40 years later, Oliver's Lounge still offers the Seattle viewing scene from the bar.

This spring and summer Oliver's is inviting Seattleites and tourists alike to stroll down a 40-year memory lane with a few offerings. Beginning early spring, a historical gallery will be on hand at the 4^th Avenue entrance of Oliver's. Pictures will showcase a timeline of Oliver's 40 year run as well as the evolution of the classic cocktail and how Oliver's played a pioneering role in the craft cocktail concept. Also included in the timeline will be information on the Martini Challenge, a contest among Seattle bars that ran from 1995-2001. For many of those years, the contest awarded Oliver's Lounge the title of Seattle's Best Classic Martini, as well as the titles for Best Specialty Martini and Best International Classic Martini.

A cocktail class, Celebrating 40 Years of Oliver's Cocktails, will take place May 12th 5:30-7:00pm. We will be 'retro' shaking and stirring with legendary bartenders (past and present) Steve Burney, Mike Rule, Patrick Donnelly, Rick Rawson, Jason Simplot and perhaps some surprise guest bartenders. The class will cost $30 per person and registration will be available online at www.mayflowerpark.com/Olivers.

Oliver's menu will include the Regal 40, a commemorative cocktail with a delicate balance of Plymouth Gin, Esprit de June, Pimms, Sweet and Sour, Peychauds and Cava. A keepsake 40^th anniversary Oliver's recipe booklet will be handed out during May and June. Social media contests throughout spring and summer will offer give-away prizes such as hotel packages, lunch/happy hour certificates and cocktail tastings.

About Owners Marie and Birney Dempcy:
Local owners Marie and Birney Dempcy created Oliver's Lounge in 1976, shortly after purchasing the Mayflower Park Hotel in 1974. Many things have gone into making Oliver's so successful: great location, classic decor with floor to ceiling windows that soak up Seattle's scene, consistent-long term staff and bartenders, well made drinks with premium liquors, and regular guests.

About Oliver's Lounge:
Prior to 1976, Oliver's Lounge was many things, from a Bartell Drugs to the very first cocktail bar in Seattle back in 1949. This rich history of Oliver's past and present is noted in Seattle's Mayflower Park Hotel in the last chapter, Cocktails at the Mayflower 1949 to Present. Today, just as it was forty years ago, one can relax to the sounds of contemporary jazz and the sights of the bustling city, all while enjoying specialty cocktails and famous martinis. Oliver's looks forward to sharing its birthday with those who have supported it over the years. Oliver's is located at 405 Olive Way, Seattle, 98101. Photos and information regarding Oliver's menu and hours of operation are available online at www.mayflowerpark.com/olivers.asp.

Media Contacts:
Stacia Williams, Marketing Director
stacia@mayflowerpark.com, 206.382.6991

Steve Johansson, Beverage Director
stevenj@mayflowerpark.com, 206.623.8700

High Resolution Photos
http://www.mayflowerpark.com/hotel/press-center/

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