To spot Tin Table, look up to the second floor of Oddfellows Hall for a sign with bold dark letters spelling out “The TIN Table” against a wavy-edged white background.
Now take a moment to imagine you’re standing right at the threshold of what was once one of Capitol Hill’s coolest “upscale” pubs, floating above the street in Oddfellows Hall-where the exposed brick catches warm light and the buzz from the lounge drifts down to you. Tin Table was more than a restaurant; it was a vibrant, welcoming space proudly owned by Hallie Kuperman, a true icon of Seattle’s LGBTQ community. It opened its doors in 2009, not just facing the legendary Century Ballroom-another of Hallie’s creations-but practically winking at it.
As you walk past, picture well-dressed diners perched on leather stools at a long bar-one hand cradling a Floozy Burger, the other swirling a Spritz into Spring. Nights here saw curly fries and duck pastrami sharing table space with Bloody Marys and stacks of Dungeness crab scrambles at brunch. If you strained your ears, you might catch the laughter and clink of happy hour as the door swung open.
Life at Tin Table wasn’t without drama. COVID-19 hit hard, forcing a temporary closure, but the team got crafty! With a pulley system to deliver takeout-imagine your order being carefully hoisted down to you, Mission Impossible style-they didn’t give up easily. They even opened the grand Ballroom as a dining room to keep everyone safe and well fed. For Thanksgiving, instead of worn leftovers, folks feasted on herb-roasted turkey, squash, and buttermilk rolls.
It wasn’t just about food; Tin Table hosted free LGBTQ senior lunches and made its way into novels, like the suspenseful “The Night She Disappeared,” described as a chic, bohemian haven.
Though the doors are now closed for good, the spirit of Tin Table hasn’t faded-it lingers on Capitol Hill, in memories and a few tasty stories.
