Three years after relocating their Capitol Hill distillery to Georgetown, OOLA returns to Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood with a bottle shop, cocktail bar, and restaurant at 1412 East Union Street.
The opening of OOLA Capitol Hill is a full circle moment for OOLA owners Kirby Kallas-Lewis and KT Niehoff, who opened the original OOLA Distillery location in Capitol Hill in 2010. The duo relocated from that original space to the Georgetown neighborhood in 2020 citing challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic and an opportunity to scale up to a larger facility. OOLA Distillery still operates out of Georgetown as Seattle's oldest distillery, and returning to Capitol Hill with the new restaurant and bottle shop is a "dream come true" for owners Kallas-Lewis and Niehoff.
Located in the original home of Donna Moodie's Marjorie Restaurant, OOLA's new Capitol Hill restaurant features an intimate dining room and bar with two garage doors that open onto a private patio shaded by mature Japanese Maple trees.
OOLA's spirits are of course the stars on the restaurant's seasonal beverage menu, curated by Beverage Director Devan Lenning. Spirit forward drinks include the Temperance Town, made with OOLA Bourbon, black walnut bitters, tarragon, and an absinthe rinse. You'll also find a substantial mix of non-alcoholic and low-proof cocktail options, a pleasant surprise for a restaurant borne out of a distilling background. Bottles of OOLA Distillery's spirits are available for purchase at the Capitol Hill restaurant and bottle shop.
Like the beverage menu, OOLA's dining menu changes seasonally with visually-stunning and shareable bites, entrees, and desserts. Owners Kirby Kallas-Lewis and KT Niehoff are deeply involved in the daily operations of the restaurant and you're likely to see them when you visit. They live near the restaurant and maintain an extensive backyard garden with fresh herbs, edible flowers, and more ingredients that make it onto the menu as available.
Whether you're looking for a romantic evening, a celebratory gathering space, or a casual bite with friends, OOLA Capitol Hill promises an unforgettable food and beverage experience. With its creative cuisine, innovative cocktails, and excellent service, OOLA deserves a place on your list of restaurants to visit.