In 1949 Frank and Essie Gibler built a small log structure on the North shore of Spencer Lake and named it ‘Gibler’s Tavern’. They offered beer, wine and a simple ‘Bar Menu’ to locals, and to folks waiting for the old Harstine Island Ferry. Imagine a family of 13 living in the basement of that tiny building.
Later owners renamed the business ‘Spencer Lake Tavern’. The building was enlarged in the 60’s, again in the 70’s, and finally after a fire in December of 1997.
During John and Arlene Post’s tenure, 1982 – 1997, they purchased the land across the street, built an RV Park, and re-titled the two businesses jointly as ‘Spencer Lake Resort’: In 1997 the Posts sold the Tavern only and, under separate ownership, the businesses became ‘Spencer Lake Bar & Grill’ and ‘Spencer Lake RV Park’. The two businesses remain under separate ownership.
The Current owners, Larry and Kim Lawrence, were King County natives whose family had lived on Harstine Island since the early 1900’s. They purchased the business in 2002.
Today, Spencer Lake Bar & Grill is a full-service, 60-seat restaurant with a 60-seat lounge. During summer months we offer outdoor dining on our beach. The menu includes prime rib, steaks, local seafood, burgers, sandwiches, pizza, and a full breakfast menu.
Our lounge offers about the largest selection of Pull Tab games in the state. We have 2 pool tables, a juke box with a great sound system, and our Ten-Foot Big Screen TV makes this a great gathering place for Seahawks and Mariners games. Weekly Barstool BINGO (Tuesdays, 7 p.m.) is a big hit with the locals.
Annual events include a Valentines Day Dinner, with meals prepared by our chefs right in the dining room, the famous ‘Spencer Lake Fishing Derby’ on the 4th Saturday in April, a spectacular Mother’s Day prime rib buffet, and the ‘Spencer Lake Swap Meet’ in early July.
We hold Texas Hold’em Poker Tournaments on Thursday nights at 6 p.m. and a 2 p.m. cash game on Saturdays with a $20 buy-in.
The Pioneer Kiwanis Club meets here each Wednesday at 7 a.m. while the Mason County Sheriff’s office holds a neighborhood meeting on the first Thursday of each month.
Spencer Lake, open to fishing year-round, is recognized as the best rainbow trout lake in Western Washington, and the fishing off our dock is historically the best on the lake. The lake is open to all types of recreation. Locals often arrive by boat for dinner and we receive countless visits by sea planes, which can be moored right at our dock.
We are located 1 mile off Highway 3, on Pickering Road, 15 miles North of Shelton and 15 minutes South of Allyn. The ‘Pickering District’ includes Spender Lake Bar & Grill, a Bakery, a Convenience Store, a Gift Shop, a full-service Boat Yard, and Spender Lake RV Park.
