Michael Shanks - site 2006: Enter the Boba Cafe

Besides the great taste of boba, one of the reasons why people enjoy going out to drink some is because of the atmosphere of the cafes. Bubble tea is becoming more available in different ways beyond the cafe, but the cafe is still the main source of boba. Boba cafes are often characterized by contemporary design and vibrant decor. It's an interesting and unofficial "standard" for bubble tea cafes to have a well-decorated atmosphere, and more cafes are trying to distinguish themselves with their decor since most bubble tea cafes offer dozens of flavors. On an NPR program, publisher Eric Nakamura discusses his favorite bubble tea shop called Volcano in Los Angeles. "You know, it has, like, a movie theme in case I get bored. You could sit outside. It feels like this one is faster pace than the other ones. The other ones are more laid back, I think, and, I think, you know, once people start coming to one, it's just one of those things where you just kind of gravitate toward that. You can't help but want to come and just people-watch (Profile: Bubble Tea)."

Quickly, a boba tea franchise started in Taiwan has a cafe in Milbrae and its youthful decor attracts many teenagers and other customers. "Enter the store, and the blue-and-soft-orange-painted walls revitalize your tired senses. The decor is not only appealing to the teens who frequent the Millbrae restaurant, but to the working professionals who go to Quickly for lunch and rest their behinds on $200 translucent contemporary-style chairs. Three plasma-screen TVs feature Quickly commercials and the latest music videos from Taiwan (Morente)."

Here are a few example pictures of boba tea cafes:

Tea Cafe: Houston, Texas

Uploaded Image