The Oasis Bar and Grill sees new ownership with a familiar face

Carly Rasmussen, new owner of The Oasis Bar & Grill, was an employee of the establishment for eight years before fulfilling her dream of owning a restaurant. When Dale Dunning mentioned to her that he was looking to retire and would be selling, she jumped at the opportunity to take this step into a new phase of life.

Dunning received interest from out of town parties, but held-off in favor of handing the business off to someone he knew and trusted would maintain the character of the place.

Sequim Gazette photo by Elijah Sussman / Angie Lanum focuses on her shot. She visits from Shelton to see her uncle and compete with him at pool.

Having officially taken over in mid-March of this year, Rasmussen plans to give the restaurant some updates but plans to keep the core solidly intact.

What’s changing?

First, the updates: She will give the space a general sprucing-up. The Oasis, at 301 E. Washington St., has a new logo, soon to be printed on merchandise and menus, and painted on the signs and doors.

She plans to rejuvenate the patio space and develop a bar-menu for late night. Rasmussen did a Facebook survey for what customers would like to see at The Oasis and the overwhelming response was live music.

Sequim Gazette photo by Elijah Sussman / Waitstaff collects steaming-hot orders through the servery window at The Oasis Bar and Grill in Sequim on May 5.

She hopes to achieve a steady rhythm of live music, possibly by late summer. Her goal is to program music that everyone can enjoy. There is also the possibility of a monthly karaoke night.

What’s staying the same?

Most of the menu at The Oasis Bar & Grill is staying the same as all of the recipes have been handed on. Weekly specials will keep on rolling, but be sure to call in advance for Friday’s prime ribs.

Longtime kitchen staffers have been retained, too.

Sequim Gazette photo by Elijah Sussman / Former owner Dale Dunning maintains his position as Trivia MC on Sunday nights at The Oasis Bar and Grill.

Regulars will also recognise plenty of familiar faces on waitstaff and behind the bar.

Shawnna Cameron and Dawn Ingram are continuing in management after eight and five years on staff, respectively.

Former owners Dale and Janice Dunning will retain some involvement, too: Dale will host trivia on Sunday nights, and to your relief, Janice will still prepare all of her housemade desserts.

The venue’s motto, “Where friends meet” feels like a very real thing to Rasmussen. But it’s not just friends who meet in the bar: “A lot of couples have met here and then gone on to get married, and then they’ll come back on their anniversaries and sit in the same spot where they met,” Rasmussen said.

Sequim Gazette photo by Elijah Sussman / Carly Rasmussen (at left), new owner of The Oasis Bar and Grill, shares a moment with kitchen staff Sean Newman (middle) and Josh Sullivan on May 3.

“I met my husband here; he was a customer,” she said.

In addition to offering a full bar, The Oasis has 16 beers on tap, with 12 unchanging, and always rotating local options.

There are two pool tables, which are often in use, especially on Tuesdays when pool league is on. There are also two dart boards, and a giant Connect 4 game. It’s a sports bar, and a patron whose game isn’t on can ask and staff will look to accommodate.

Sequim Gazette photo by Elijah Sussman / Server Amber Melcer delivers a sandwich with tater tots, and a salad at The Oasis Bar and Grill in Sequim on May 5.

The Oasis may be hiring kitchen and front of house this summer.

For more information, visit theoasissequim.com or call 360-582-3143.

The Oasis Bar & Grill

Where: 301 E. Washington St.

Hours: 11 a.m.-midnight, Sunday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays (note: kitchen closes at 8 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 9 p.m. Friday-Saturday)

Phone: 360-582-3143

On the web: theoasissequim.com