Sweetwater Tavern
A place for islanders
to call home.
When Pete Osborne moved from the Bay Area to Bainbridge Island in 2016, he fell for it in a single day. Around the same time, Callie Tinney relocated from Nashville. Years later, their paths crossed and, with a shared love of food and community, they brought Sweetwater Tavern to downtown Winslow.
Sweetwater Tavern is, first and foremost, a place for locals to relax, unwind and celebrate. Daily happy hour specials anchor value-driven offerings for locals to enjoy anytime. “Think of it as a spot to celebrate birthdays or just grab a beer,” said Osborne. And at its heart are fresh, local oysters—raw, fried, baked, even wood-grilled. A daily oyster happy hour ensures Bainbridge residents can count on them any night. “You shouldn’t have to wait until Friday for oysters on the island,” Tinney said.
The menu stretches beyond seafood, with tavern staples such as burgers, pork chops, steaks, fish sandwiches, big salad and fried, all anchored by a wood-fired grill. Families will find a kids menu written with help from the owners’ children. And desserts shine: Tinney, a lifelong baker, plans to make them a centerpiece, from fruit tarts to her already-famous peanut butter pie in a chocolate crust.
The former Marche space has been completely reimagined—walls were removed to create an open, light-filled room with nearly double the seating, plus outdoor tables. “We’re not trying to be a destination restaurant,” Osborne says. “We want to be the island’s tavern.”
For Osborne and Tinney, the goal is simple: fresh oysters, cold beer and a place islanders can call their own.
150 Madrone Lan | 206.842.163 | sweetwater-tavern.com
