Best Smell of Olympia and more ...

By Matt Driscoll on February 17, 2011

PEDAL TO THE MEDAL ON THE HYPE MACHINE >>>

As we've no doubt drilled into your cranium by now, the Weekly Volcano's Best of Olympia 2011 Issue hits the street TODAY! It's finally here! The issue is totally awesome. I've seen it (read: been completely immersed in it for the last three weeks, leaving me blurry eyed and completely incapable of unbiased opinion).

And, of course, we have our big-ass Best of Olympia 2011 Party tonight!!!! - Thursday, Feb. 17 at The Brotherhood. The Dirty Birds, Western Hymn and Morgan and the Organ Donors will provide the free music, and Oldschool Pizza will provide the free pizza (no joke). Music starts at 9 p.m., but consider arriving a wee-bit early - Bobble Tiki eats a lot of pizza.

In honor of today's release of Best of Olympia 2011, we'd like to present the last batch of honorable mention staff picks, which didn't quite make the print edition, but remain awesome nonetheless.

Best Smell

Weed And Its Devotees

Like a third of all adult Americans, I've sampled marijuana. (Indeed, it's the only possible explanation for my voluntary purchase of an Enya CD in the late 1980s.) For years I scoffed at those who demonize ganja. I insisted the drug was no more addictive, and certainly better for one's long-term mental acuity, than Glee. Then I taught a 7:30 a.m. math class at South Puget Sound Community College, where a young underachiever taught me the true meaning of "wake and bake." On those rare occasions when he stumbled into class before it ended, he left a contrail of stench that called to mind a Cheech & Chong drive-in double feature. Hey, potheads: Is it possible you're so high you can't smell yourself? Are you incapable of realizing you smell like Snoop Dogg's crotch? But as with certain cheeses, your leafy reek stinks like pure heaven. It evokes dreamy weekends rewatching the Holy Trilogy on Spike, and for that, sincere thanks. - Christian Carvajal

[Marijuana, aka cannabis, available throughout the greater Olympia area]

<h3<Best Use Of Honesty In A Dragon T-shirt

Ruby At McCoy's

When you've served enough booze at Olympia's favorite "dive" bar to kill the entire historical registry of Budweiser Clydesdales; had to deal with several years' worth of slobbering drunk idiots swinging at the peanut machine; and cut off enough angry racists who aren't afraid to yell the N-word in public that you just stop telling them "I'm Puerto Rican, bro," sometimes all you can do is don some sweet Frank Frazetta shirts and shrug it off.  Naturally, I speak of Ruby at McCoy's. Of course, besides the Frank Frazetta shirts, letting little Miss Princess in her "It's My 21st" tiara know exactly what you think of her and her loud one-and-only-time-they're-ever-coming-here-just-for-the-free-shots-this-place-is-so-ghetto friends sterling analysis of McCoy's in a monotone wit so dry that it sails over their heads like burnt white toast, also has it perks. "SHORT POUR." - Owen Taylor

[McCoy's Tavern, 418 Fourth Ave., E, Olympia, 360.352.0696]

Best Place To Spend Sunday Drinking Beer & Watching Football

The 4th Ave. Tavern

There's a reason why "Joltin" Joe Moore has won multiple awards. It's not for his conceptualized Pomegranate Choco-tinis. It's not for his showman's flair with flying booze bottles à la Tom Cruise in Cocktail. It's not even for his stellar customer service. It's for his attitude. Moore makes you feel like you're part of the family, even if it's your first time to the 4th Ave. Tav. This is never more apparent than during football season. The bar opens for breakfast and the early game, so Monti can serve up what could arguably be some of Olympia's best biscuits and gravy. With a ton of big screens, and Joe's unmatched hospitality, there's a reason why I still come down from Seattle for Football Sundays with Joe Moore. And if the Vikings are winning, you'll swear you've never seen a happier Minnesotan in winter.- Owen Taylor

[The 4th Ave. Tavern, 210 Fourth Ave. E, Olympia, 360.786.1444]

Best View Of Capitol Lake And Downtown Olympi

Swing Wine Bar And Café

Swing Wine Bar and Café has the best views of Capitol Lake and downtown Olympia - it's not even close. In a historic building perched on the hillside above town, Swing has ambiance galore, an amazing staff of truly talented professionals and gorgeous views. The table next to the bar is one of the best seats in the house, and Swing offers outside seating in the summer months. Chef Thomas Humbock brings his creativity to this restaurant and regularly changes up the menu with delicious and creative offerings. Swing has one of the best wine and cocktail lists in town with a variety of wine flights. - Brooke McKenzie

[Swing Wine Bar and Café, 825 Columbia St. SW, Olympia, 360.357.9464]

Best Place To Drink Beer And Knit

Skep & Skein Tavern

You may miss a stitch or two while imbibing your brews at the Skep and Skein Tavern, but there are many sage knitters to help you correct your mistakes. Knit night at the tavern is every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. and some nights it is so busy you can hardly get a seat. Send the men to the bar to play a few rounds of board games, while you get your knit on with the girls at the tables. - BM

[Skep & Skein Tavern, 2106 Harrison Ave. NW, Olympia, skepandskein.com]