12-03-2025
Six new restaurants, rooftop bar coming to Washington State Fair. Here's what we know
Six new restaurants and a rooftop bar are coming to the Washington State Fair – just in time for the fair's 125th anniversary.
According to a Facebook post from the fair, construction is underway for the 1900 Food Hall & Rooftop Bar. Stacy Van Horne, the public relations manager for the fair, told The News Tribune the new food hall and rooftop bar will be available on the first day of the Washington State Fair on Aug. 29. The new project is named after the fair's first year in operation.
'[The rooftop bar] is probably one of the coolest views you'll get at the Spring Fair and State Fair,' Van Horne said this week. 'It's so pretty during the day and night too, with all the rides surrounding it. It's a central hub of the fairgrounds.'
Van Horne told The News Tribune this new food hall is part of $28 million in renovations the fair is doing in 2025.
Guests will be able to get burgers at Benji's Diner, gourmet sandwiches at Big Mouth Sandos, pizza at Upper Crust, food inspired by the Pacific Northwest at The Pier, Asian cuisine at Fat Panda and desserts at DOH! Sweets & Treats. The chef behind the 1900 Food Hall is James Beard-nominated chef Mich Mayers, who is overseeing the vision behind all six options.
'We feel like having this diversity in six restaurants really gives something to everybody,' Van Horne said.
The new hall will replace the International Village, which had been a fair fixture for 40 years. The International Village was a major hub for food at the fair, offering a variety of dishes from several restaurants and a rooftop bar.
'The building was old and decrepit — so for aesthetic reasons, for safety reasons, for good variety and to continue to become a first-class facility, we knew that we had to bring this building down and find a great way to rebuild it,' Van Horne said.
The $28 million in renovations also includes a new water feature at the front of the Gold Gate. Another major renovation project is the demolition of Barn M, which will be replaced with an entertainment area. The animals in Barn M will be relocated to other areas of the fairgrounds.
