For 13 years, co-owner Ryan Discrescenzo and the team at Le Voyeur have barreled through the waves of the music scene, provided an outlet for artists and musicians and served the town of Olympia their own saucy version of hot and tasty - be it a tempeh sandwich (Sloppy Hippie anyone?) or a one-of-a-kind show.

Le Voyeur is a hybrid vegan/carnivore-friendly restaurant, art gallery, bar and venue. The backroom, where shows are held, is small and intimate and is booked nearly every day of the week, bringing in green and seasoned bands alike, from Portland to Japan, Austin to Germany.

All this has earned them a reputation in Olympia and beyond as a fabulous freak-show venue with style, flair and intimacy.

"The best part about the venue for me is the variety of people and bands that come through the doors," says John Manini, who has been booking shows at Le Voyeur for seven years. "Most bars in Oly have their crowd of regulars, and so do we, but I dare say we are the most eclectic buffet for people watchers."

LE VOYEUR: Photo by Patrick Snapp

Thousands of bands have come through those very doors, soaking up the greasy love smell Le Voyeur is notorious for, to cram into the back little cave and play their hearts out.

"We still have a flyer written in crayon with a little arrow pointing to Gossip," says Discrescenzo, who attributes Le Voyeur's appeal to the people who come through Olympia, doing what they love.

"It's a place where people can be themselves,: says Discrescenzo. "The way they dress, the way they move, the way they conduct themselves - there's a special electricity, and then the band is right there having a drink with you. It's what makes us special."

Those who have been to a Voyeur show can attest to the acoustics of a tiny concrete room. But, this deters neither the listeners nor the bands.

Maybe Manini sums it up best.

"There is no lipstick you can put on that pig that will change it," says Manini about the size and acoustics of the venue.  "We have added some baffles (reclaimed from the Kingdome, mind you) over the years, but see my previous comment about lipstick and pigs. That doesn't mean you can't sound good in the room. It is cozy and intimate and we have booths lining the walls, so if you are doing quiet stuff, it can be a really great place to connect with the audience. If you are crazy loud - while you might not be able to make out the lyrics of the vocalist - there is a certain visceral appeal to being hit with a wall of guitar wash."

CLINT MULLINS: He rocked Le Voyeur in February 2013. Photo by Patrick Snapp

No matter the band, no matter the music, no matter the acoustics, Le Voyeur is doing something right.

Maybe it's the be-yourself-atmosphere and maybe it's because the bands make their own shows. Le Voyeur provides a PA, and the bands do the rest; they provide their own equipment, door person and sound guy.

"We've made it so user-friendly," says Discrescenzo. "The formula is - you come, throw a great party - we'll get people drunk, you take all the (door) money. We're just here to let people show off their stuff. Basically, we set it up, you knock 'em down."

Keep an eye out for more all-ages events and more performance arts events at Le Voyeur as they continue to be a vessel for aspiring and established entertainers.

Upcoming shows include an all-ages show Sunday, March 10 with Dreamdecay and a special benefit show for Lacey Co-op preschool on Sunday, March 17 with Glass Elevator, Bogg and Pageant Dads.

Le Voyeur sits at 404 Fourth Ave. E. in downtown Olympia. For more information, or to book a show, visit www.voyeurolympia.com.