TBAR

Tbar
117 S. 12th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107

 I've had my eyes set on Tbar for sometime, after a search of coffee shops and tea shops in Philly. I just never found the time to go, since I was in the area always on errands leading me to other places, other food adventures. So, on a Friday, I texted Caligirl "hey do you want to go to Tbar after work" which she responded to with a very enthusiastic yes. After a moment or two, I knew she didn't recall this place and was thinking solely about the word "bar".

Tbar serves teas. A hundred and something teas, all neatly described in binders available at...the bar. However, there are plenty of seats, mainly in sets of two, and if you are lucky, you can score one of the few couches they have. The atmosphere is a mix between  modern-somewhat utilitarian and comforting lounge-like. All of the tables in the front half of the store look like they can belong anywhere. The character comes out better at the back of the store and the bar, where there are couches and some odd seat/cart thing, and inlaid whole-leaf teas under plexiglass, respectively.

You can easily spend a few hours here lounging back with friends, reading, or doing work, without being a bother to anyone. It's the largest space of the few study-friendly coffee shops I've been to in the area that aren't franchise or chain. Wi-Fi is available, but I believe you have to ask for a code.

The back

The bar

Sample of items for sale.

The base teas are white, green, rooibos, oolong, black, and herbal. From this, you move on to the flavor profile. They also have pearl tea and can add what they call "fizz". You can get regular teas like you see in the supermarkets, or mixed up versions, such as Peach and Ginger Black Tea. And you can get them hot or cold. Caligirl ordered a taro ball tea and was asked which kind of milk she wanted in it, a question that she has never been asked before, even in hippie filled San Francisco valley. She was quite happy with her brew, and it came out in her favorite shade of purple-blue. This is why she named her car Taro. I ordered mine hot, and it comes as whole leaf with pieces of the infusion flavor added in. They use new tea sachets for every tea, so your cup is made fresh.

They serve pastries, cookies, and when available, sandwiches. I had a chocolate pastry, which was pretty good, though could always have used more chocolate.

There is also an abundance of tea related books and objects for sale.

A large black tea, a cold pearl tea, and a pastry, plus tax: $11

Market-Frankford subway to 11th or 13th Street, walk south to Sansom.
Broad Street subway to Walnut and walk east to 12th street, and north to Sansom.
PATCO to 12/13th Street, walk north to Sansom.
23 Bus southbound.