OOLA Distillery, owned by Kirby Kallas-Lewis and KT Niehoff, is expanding its operations to Capitol Hill. The new location will be situated at 1412 E Union St, confirmed by Kallas-Lewis.
“We, my wife, KT Niehoff, and I are excited to be on the cusp of opening our new extension of OOLA in this great space,” Kirby told What Now Seattle.
“Three years after closing our doors on 14th and Union in Capitol Hill, OOLA distillery comes home with a bottle shop, cocktail bar, and restaurant called “OOLA Capitol Hill” this summer. Pending licenses, our goal opening date is set for July 15, 2023,” KT added, “OOLA Capitol Hill’s concept is PNW casual fine dining, shared plates, driven by the
seasons and paired with cocktails showcasing OOLA spirits. Retail and small bites will be
available starting at 11 am and the full restaurant will open at 5 pm. Expect a stellar happy hour with oysters readily available. Retail, cocktail classes and special events are also part
of the program.”
Owners Kirby Kallas-Lewis and KT Niehoff have been Seattle shakers since the ’90s.
They have lived in Capitol Hill for 30 years. KT founded Velocity Dance Center in the
Oddfellows Hall in 1996 and Kirby started OOLA Distillery on East Union Street (1 ⁄ 2 a
block from the new location) in 2010. Their new space was the original home of Donna
Moodie’s Marjorie Restaurant, and is where Kirby and KT got married.
Kallas-Lewis has an extensive background that spans various creative endeavors. His journey began as an art dealer in cities like Paris, Brussels, New York, and San Francisco, where he developed a discerning palate and a deep passion for food, wine, and cocktails. Before finding his calling in the world of distilling, Kallas-Lewis explored diverse paths, including raising milk goats, creating paintings and sculptures in Tahiti, working on Alaskan fishing boats, and even running a gallery in the bustling city of New York. His wide range of experiences has shaped his perspective and contributed to the unique character of OOLA Distillery, according to the company website.
OOLA offers a wide array of spirits for patrons to enjoy, such as whiskey, gin, and vodka. Some of these options are OOLA Waitsburg Bourbon, Three Shores White Label Whiskey, and others. If you’re looking for additional options to enjoy within the distillery, they offer distillery tours, merchandise, and their membership program OOLA Society.
