Looking to broaden its menu and serve beverages like adult hot chocolate, white tea mojitos and boozy chai, Tea Bar at EvyTea is applying for an all-alcohol license.
David Ertischek
Evy Chen, owner of the Tea Bar at EvyTea on Amory Street.
"We are applying for a full license to better serve the events and pop-ups we hold. The tea bar was built with a focus of being a community gathering space, a fun space and a happening space. The license will broaden our menu and allow us to grow and thrive in what we do best -- beverages," said Evy Chen, founder of EvyTea. "We are a tea bar focused on healthy, innovative and fun drinks. We want to expand our horizons to alcoholic drinks with the same focus."
Chen opened the Tea Bar at EvyTea on Amory Street this past May, and started the cold brew tea business in 2012.
The Tea Bar had a Boston Licensing Board hearing Sept. 21 for a 7-day all-alcohol license, but asked for a deferment on the board's decision so Chen and other Tea Bar representatives could meet with neighbors to discuss the business' desire for the license.
They are scheduled to talk at the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council Oct. 4 and with Egleston Square Main Street Oct. 5. Chen is also looking to speak with the Brewery District Neighborhood Crime Watch and the Brookside Neighborhood Association.
"Hopefully that will help people understand our concept a bit more," Chen said. "It will be both outside and inside. [The drinks would complement] finger foods, snacks, food items prepped by our pop-up partners."
Chen also created an ipetition to gain neighborhood support for the liquor license. The petition was started Sept. 14, and as of Sept. 27 had gathered 191 signatures in support of the license.
David Ertischek
The Tea Bar has an outdoor herb garden on Amory Street.
"EvyTea is now one of the main reasons I venture to JP from my home in Back Bay. Their patio and atmosphere are what Boston has needed! I could get more friends to join me on weekends and in the afternoons if alcoholic drinks were offered," commented Michael Winston.
"We are homeowners in JP and fully support EvyTea having a liquor license. It has been a lovely addition to our neighborhood and we hope the city will allow them to serve additional alcoholic beverages with a liquor license," commented Laura Grattan of JP.
The desired hours to serve alcoholic beverages would be 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.