Member Spotlight: Altitude 15, Elevated Pub Food in a One-of-a-Kind Downtown Olympia Space

Step inside Altitude 15 in downtown Olympia and the experience begins immediately. The space shines with hot pink light casting from a glowing cherry blossom tree at the center of the room. It’s bold, unexpected, and beautiful to behold. Look around and you’ll find even more to take in: a striking peacock and bronze horses inspired by the Tang Dynasty placed among modern neon signs and industrial details.

Owned by Cher and Mike Hobbick, Altitude 15 was designed to be more than a place to eat. It’s a place to land, to relax your shoulders, share a drink, and settle into conversation.

“You’ve never been in a place like this before,” Cher Hobbick says. “Altitude 15 has a real ‘WOW’ factor.”

Pivoting with Purpose

The story of Altitude 15 starts, fittingly, with a great bottle of wine and a love of old buildings. When the space on State Avenue became available, Cher and Mike, partners in both life and business, jumped at the chance to create something new for Downtown Olympia. Cher brings the vision, while Mike finds a way to make it real, a dynamic that has shaped every step of the journey.

Their original vision, a multi-vendor food hall, proved unfeasible due to liquor board regulations. So, they pivoted.

What ensued was two years of grit, creativity, and constant problem-solving. They sold multiple assets, including Mike’s beloved sawmill, to keep the project moving. Cher took on catering gigs through her business, Bite Me Catering, to fund the next phase. Construction would pause, then pick back up again.

That hands-on, do-it-yourself spirit is now part of the foundation of Altitude 15.

Building Trust with Familiar Favorites

At its core, the menu is about getting the basics right and doing them exceptionally well. Cher describes it as “elevated pub food,” with a focus on quality, consistency, and care.

Think extra crispy fish and chips, thick-cut steak fries made for dipping, and a Reuben piled high with pastrami, perfectly toasted. These are the dishes that build confidence with guests and keep them coming back.

From here, the menu will expand thoughtfully, introducing more eclectic flavors over time while staying grounded in what works.

A Creative Corner for Community

Altitude 15 is quickly becoming a cornerstone of downtown Olympia and not just for its food. As one of the most searched restaurants on Experience Olympia & Beyond, it’s clear the space is resonating.

Cher and Mike are intentional about opening their doors to the community, regularly hosting events that feature local artists. The large, flexible space makes it easy to say yes.

Looking ahead, the two of them hope that Altitude 15 continues to grow into a place people associate with Olympia itself—a gathering space rooted in good food, creativity, and connection.

“I would love to have Altitude 15 be the thing you think about when you think about Olympia,” Cher says, “where the experience is just as memorable as the meal.”

Add Altitude 15 to your Downtown Olympia dining list—you won’t want to miss it.

Altitude 15
225 State Ave NE
Olympia, WA 98501
(360) 747-7612
ChefCher@BiteMeCateringPNW.com

Photography Credit: Olympia Downtown Alliance and Get Reel, LLC. Please contact us (mwillie@downtownolympia.org) for explicit permission before use.