The Den is where you go when you want to get a vintage t-shirt with cats on it and a cup o’ tea. The store originated as a used clothing shop called urban xchange (best used clothes store in town, by the way). Now, i forewarn you, this place sells primarily clothes and tea is kind of an afterthought. The employees tend to the front of the store, that’s the money maker for them. If you want something from the back (such as tea or a vegan cupcake) you need to go up to the front register and ask for help.
Also, and I’m just speaking the truth here, they do not know much about these teas. Let them know what you want and they will get it for you, but you probably shouldn’t start chatting about how much you love oxidized oolongs. This place is like a burger joint that has a house red, you wouldn’t ask, “How’s the finish?”
If you are looking for an awesome second-hand clothing store with cool employees, go to urban xchange. While you are there, grab a cup of tea.
This tea room is in my favorite area of Tacoma, the north end. So it is a great location to spend the day. As for the business, it is the closest you can get to high tea in Tacoma. They have white tablecloths, old china, and you have to make a reservation. They are also open only about 5 hours a day, 4 days a week I believe. If you have money to spare and like wearing Jackie O outfits, you would fit right in here.
The teas here are pretty good. They have a lot of fruit flavored teas, which is not my favorite. However, they are very well made as the secondary flavors do not overpower the taste of the tea itself. Their food is good too, but a full tea service is a little expensive. I am a very laid back, jeans and sweatshirt type of girl, so I am partial to couches, conversations with the employees, and local music in the background. The only way to know what kind of tea experience you prefer is to try this and see what you think.
Great tea shop for Tacoma locals and tourists (why tourists would come to Tacoma, let’s leave that up to the imagination).
The selection is great, they also have some pretty genius blends. Great place to take a parent, sibling, teenager, etc. There is so much to look at, do, and listen to. Local art everywhere, and if you hang out long enough one of the artists will probably show up and order some tea. If you ask, they will mix up something for you on the spot. When possible and if they are not too busy, you should tell them what kind of bunk tea you want in grams. That way, they will give you the freshest batch instead of grabbing the stuff that’s been sitting on the shelf for a little while.
This place is not for the meek and faint of heart. You might hear some strange conversations and see some risque art, but if you can hang then you will certainly not be bored.
Last piece of advice… go to the back. More art, cool typewriter, and a nice guitar to jam on.
SAY IT ISN’T SO! The teacup in Upper Queen Anne closed :( I won’t talk about how cool it was, that will just upset us both. But, they are still distributing through their website, so check it out.
This tea shop has by far the largest and most complete selection of teas in the city. Added bonus, no pesticides! All of their hundred + teas are organic, and you can tell that they have been grown and picked with the intention of savoring the plant and reaping all its benefits without altering it. When you go in there, you will see a very eccentric shop with lots of character.
They tend to be packed from when they open to right before they close at 11 pm (which is another reason I love this place, late night tea cravings are fulfilled here daily). If you wait a couple minutes in the middle of the shop, a table will open up pretty quickly.
To sum it up, this place is a must try. Even if you have to park a half a mile away, it’s worth it. Full service is pricey, so if you are hungry I would suggest getting a cup of their homemade soup de jour and a cookie or squash bread. But whether you’re hungry or not, just go. Great place to get cool tea gadgets, also.
Great place for teas from all around the world. They distribute lots of Silk Road teas, but also have a few fair trade vendors. If you like flavorful tisanes, this is a great place to go. Oolong fans, get the milk oolong. Black tea people, try their “honey tea”. They have a great white peony and high quality greens. The staff are also knowledgeable.
