Laurel’s E Olive Way bones (Image: @kateopatz)
Food and drink entrepreneur Kate Opatz is creating her latest project Laurel, “the smallest, prettiest cocktail bar,” on E Olive Way on Capitol Hill.
Formerly the home of Crumble & Flake Pâtisserie, Laurel will be transforming this very small space — not quite 500 square feet — into a fun and fresh cocktail bar.
Opatz is not new to opening and running bars on Capitol Hill. In fact, Laurel will be opening next door to another Opatz institution: Montana, the graffiti-filled and well-loved dive bar.
Despite this proximity, the new bar will host a completely different atmosphere. Laurel, named for Opatz’s mother and for the natural imagery it evokes, will be “light and beautiful.” Opatz plans to lean into feminine motifs, using plants, bold colorful tiles, and earthy tones.
“I love the feeling of a tiny bar, being packed into a pretty space. That kind of place just makes me happy,” Opatz said.
Opatz has partnered with Nico Ciel, the bar manager at Opatz’s La Dive and visionary behind the new cocktail menu at Laurel. Aiming to reflect the levity and warmth they’re planning on curating in the space, the menu will feature craft cocktails that are “seasonal, fresh, and herbaceous,” said Opatz.
Montana was her first bar ownership venture, opening with late business partner Rachel Marshall in 2011; Opatz has now opened and owns four — and counting — local watering holes, including Nacho Borracho on Broadway and La Dive, a natural wine bar on E Pike.
Opening a new establishment in this pint-sized location was a dream shared by Marshall and Opatz.
On other sites, you might read about a new bar opening. On CHS, you might read about a new bar you can help open.
“It was a spot Rachel and I had always coveted and made plans for. I already had an emotional attachment to it and when a kind friend shared that it had become available, I just couldn’t say no,” Opatz said.
While Opatz is seasoned in Capitol Hill nightlife, Laurel will be an opportunity for her to try something totally new—coffee. Laurel will have a full-scale espresso machine, and be open during the day to serve coffee and espresso drinks.
“I was a barista for many years and love that whole world. I’m really looking forward to having my first daytime space,” Opatz said.
Opatz and her team are eager to begin work in building out the bar and navigating serving both coffee and cocktails. They hope to see Laurel open to the public by the end of summer.
For neighbors interested in supporting this project and becoming part of the Capitol Hill food and drink scene, the team is seeking small investors for Laurel. If interested, reach out to @kateopatz.
Opatz is eager to see the dream she shared with Marshall come to fruition. “Seeing the whole aesthetic come to light and seeing people in there enjoying the space is the best feeling,” Opatz said.
Laurel is planned to open later this year at 1500 E Olive Way.
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A business this size is a very small space, but an apartment this size is the norm in Capitol Hill. :/
I love the idea of this place (well lit, earth tones, plants) but am not quite interested in tiny spaces that either become way too crowded or way too exclusive due to their size.
Wish them all the success because I think more options and new businesses are always great, and hopefully I can try a coffee sometime!