Tea Lounge

Once upon a time, you had less hipsters, transplants, and I would wander in at the wee hours and sit, to enjoy a cup of whiskey, and some tea.
Those days have long gone, and even though you never replaced the sink hole couches, or the raggedy chairs, Your flair for tea was always there.
Thank you for the memories, sweet beloved establishment.

I love this place. But after tonight the Tea Lounge is no more. I am here and I feel like I am at a funeral of a good friend. I am so sad. As my girlfriend said, «NYC and Brooklyn is going to shit.»

Sad to hear that another independent local institution is closing. I will miss the quirky chairs and tables, the large but cosy space, surprisingly good music performances, and the option of tea or booze in the evening. I won’t miss the entitled stroller brigades or the challenge of getting a seat for an hour because so many people were camped out there all day. I suppose if that’s really the reason why they are closing, they could have experimented with no laptop sections. I imagine we’ll be welcoming yet another Starbucks into this space.

Unfortunately Tea Lounge is closing this location and Sunday will be their last day.

I’m a fan of any coffee shop that will add a shot of Bailey’s to your latte. You don’t get that here in Portland because the liquor laws are so puritanical.
It was refreshing to stop here and take a break after exploring Prospect Park

Daily happy hour on all drinks, wine, hot chocolates and tea, as well as the delicacies, like cookies and brownies. Free wifi. Heart of Park Slope; hipster warning. Spacious. Difficult at times to find a seat, particularly the cushiony couches – prime real estate of course – perfect for informal business meetings and philosophy-​centric conversations.
The tuna melt with cheddar on sourdough bread is DIVINE. Wow. I washed it down with a pumpkin spice latte which was also very tasty, frothy and rich.
Love the combination of bar and café – get business and personal things intermingled. The live bands and other artists throughout the week are perks, too. Only place I know of in NYC that serves as both bar and coffee shop.
Cool sticker-​filled bathrooms.

I will openly state that I’ve never envisioned myself as a «tea lounge person». Who even knows what that means. When I was invited to meet a friend here, I was a bit apprehensive, but happily surprised.
The space is much larger once you enter than imagined from the outside. As imagined they have a great array of teas. They also offer a few bites if you’re feeling a bit snacky. I’m also pretty sure that they offer alcohol.
I was there on a Sunday and they were hosting an open mike session that features comedians, singers, poets etc. It was pretty cool.
The prices were reasonable as well and the crowd was really laid back with ample comfy couches to make anyone happy.

The bad — Sometimes the dirty dishes/​cups left over from patrons who spend all day there sit too long on the communal tables.
The music can get way too loud and vulgar. Some of the workers have atrocious customer service skills and others are really ghetto /​unprofessional in their demeanor and what they choose to talk to patrons about.
Some of the regular patrons are also loud and disruptive. This goes back to my point about the unprofessional servers. I’ve overheard conversations about sex taking place between the regulars and the workers, and it’s not like i was trying to eavesdrop they were just talking so loud everyone in the place couldn’t help but overhear!
It’s really dark and you get the feeling the couches haven’t been cleaned in forever. Grossy!
The good — Huge space
They have a nice selection of food and drinks. I especially like the quiche; and the desserts look delicious. I think it’s fine to get a small tea since you can just keep asking for hot water and the tea is strong so the bag will give you at least 3 cups.
Free wifi — mostly works
There are a lot of plugs but if it’s full you might still have trouble getting an open one.
You might stumble upon a night where they have good acts going on.
No one is rushing you out the door — you can sit/​hang out all day if you like.

I came in here because a friend of mine was doing a gig on a Tuesday night. I didn’t realize that they have live music so often. I really like this place for their atmosphere. It’s super chill and not at all like your typical coffee house. Though it is typically busy, it’s not your usual come and go type crowd. Most people grab a couch and spend a few hours on their computers, reading or chatting with friends. I’ve even come in here for lunch with a friend and saw some people totally passed out on the couches for hours at a time. I guess if it’s not crowed, people feel comfortable… getting comfortable. Besides for the atmosphere, they also have a bunch of food options. They have a lot of tea (duh), coffee and the pastries (gluten free available as well) all look really good. I’ve gotten salads from here which were all exactly what I expected.
When I came this time, my friend ordered a turkey sandwich. It was the saddest display of sandwich I’ve ever seen. It was literally 1 slice of turkey, 1 slice of old tomato and a lettuce leaf on 2 toasted (possibly stale) pieces of bread. She was not too happy about it.

I come here often because I work across the street. I wish it were better… alas.
The only thing going for this business is the space which is large and roomy. Sadly, the service is kinda like going to the DMV to get a new license. Slow and incompetent.
The kicker is the sign on the door telling patrons not to smoke by the entrance. The only people I’ve ever seen smoking there are the staff members while the line for coffee grows and grows and grows…

I didn’t realize spaces this big existed anywhere in NYC. Tea Lounge is gigantic and homey, but unfortunately plagued by single people taking up entire tables with their laptops. I went midday on a Saturday — maybe it’d be different during the week or later on at night?
The menu is HUGE and includes coffee, tea, beer, wine, and liquor. Unheard of. But I got a chocolate chai, which tasted like regular chai to me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I’d give it another shot.

UPDATED: The Tea Lounge is closing! By the time you read this, it will most likely be gone. (To close on 12/​13/​2014.)
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I have a conflicted relationship with the Tea Lounge.
On one hand, this is probably the only place in Brooklyn (with the exception of maybe the library) that doesn’t mind you ordering one cup of coffee and spending all day working at your computer. When I say all day, I mean all day. Once I stayed 7 hours! And more than a few people stayed just as long as I did. Yes, productive — but I felt super gross afterward because…
The food is horrible. I mean, completely terrible. Chicken from a can, soup from a bag, gross chips with all the sandwiches. The baristas are hit and miss, not only in terms of friendliness but also drink quality.
I used to come here to meet up with friends, but now only go exclusively to work because that’s the main draw — no interruptions, the music isn’t too loud, free and fast wifi, refills for $ 1.50.
The Tea Lounge is like a dark, communal workspace in a basement. Oddly, this is sometimes just what you need.

If your looking for a social gathering and great environment to drink tea and kick back and have a great time, this isn’t the place you’ll find that. The place had nothing but occupied seats with people on their laptops or phones just zoning out mean while you have a live band playing with defeats the purpose.
So no seating to drink tea so I find a place at the bar to have my drink. Where I find the bar tender pouring drink into a shot glass over the cup your shot is going into. But as he is pouring he is over flowing the shot glass and its spilling over the edge of the glass running over his fingers and into your glass which you will drink. I’m sure glad I was sober to notice these poor bar tending skills. Just imagine everyone drink who has this guys germed fingers in their glass.
Will not be back to patron the business

I’m at the Tea Lounge right now enjoying a kick-​ass jazz band. I mean, really kick ass. Who said jazz is dead? The guys playing said they’re here every Wednesday night.
I like this place a lot. There’s ample seating in a fairly big space, but sometimes you have to «fight» for a seat if you get there late.
Two bathrooms = bonus.
They take credit cards, but with a $ 5 minimum.
There’s a wine/​liquor/​beer bar and a regular counter for your coffee/​pastry needs. They serve food, although I’ve never eaten anything from here, and I find the pastries to be so-​so.
With a dearth of late-​night Brooklyn Internet cafes (so early 2000s to say «Internet café,» right?), they stay open late. However, their published 12 a.m. time doesn’t necessarily always match up with the time they actually close, and that can be annoying if you get there and they’re already closed.
Also, if you’re looking to do some serious work and you come late on certain nights, the atmosphere might be too loud if a live band is playing.

The Good.
The drinks are really well made — the Chai Tea latte is perfect.
Great location to meet up with a group or to catch up with a friend.
A bar and coffee shop in one. Everyone’s happy.
The Bad.
The food is nothing special… I would go somewhere else to grab a bite.
The couches. Who would voluntarily sit on these? I know it’s part of the appeal (grungy hip hangout and all, but most of the couches here are unbearably uncomfortable… why would I want to chill on a surface that has springs sticking out?)

Great place to study or to ready, very comfortable chairs and desk. The Batista and staff are fantastic. I got a free ice latte with cinnamon and white chocolate just by being at the right place at the right time. THANK YOU STEPHANIE! This place has good vibes and it’s not too loud to study. Even with the live music that starts at around 8 pm. The salads are amazing. my favorite is the house salad. Its the best salad that I had in NYC. Its also cheaper than buying groceries. When I liked about the food is that it is simple and fresh. The kitchen is visible and food is made to order.
This is a great place to hang out and it’s different from the standard conventional coffee shop. Its all ages and all different groups including families.
The music is pretty unique, normally I study in silence but jazz music has such a unique unpredictable melody, It does somehow work for myself.
if your in the area and have some down time; check out the tea lounge; you won’t be disappointed :)

I love to go studying at this place. There are lots of comfortable places to sit, many of them with tables to conveniently place your laptop. And there is free Wi-​Fi! It’s like studying in the comfort of your own home but without the distractions.
The music is sometimes a tad bit too loud, but overall it’s a nice atmosphere. There are lots and lots of yummy things to drink. Four different kinds of iced tea! Lots of different kinds of yummy coffee drinks. Hot chocolate. There’s even a bar with decent beer on tap. There isn’t a wide selection of food though — just some snacks.
Be careful about going there to study or work in the evening. They have so many fun events during the evening time. Once I caught a fantastic funk band playing there. Unfortunately, it was a night I was trying to get some work done. So I highly suggest checking ahead of time to see if there will be any festivities in the evening, if you plan to work then.

I wasn’t here for too long, maybe 2 hours on a weekday/​midday. Not to loud in terms of studying, I think when i was heading out around 330p, they started to play some over head music.
The place is pretty large with soft sofas and also hard chair options. There is café with pastries and also tea/​coffee.
Ofcourse parking is a b (tch in this area of Brooklyn. I will return but try to get their earlier.

Came here to study with a friend as it is open pretty late. I was personally able to get my work done but my friend was unable to concentrate due to the noise level. Her personal comment was «It’s a great place to hang out, not so much for studying.»
I came here on a Friday night so there was scheduled live music around 8 PM. I have to admit it was a little harder to study with people performing in front of you. It felt rude not watching the performers, most of the customers didn’t. Every time the band finished a song I would stop my typing to clap.
So if you don’t mind loud music and talking then it’s certainly a great place to get work done (when there’s no live music).
The atmosphere is very comfortable and relaxed, the lights are very dim. There is free wifi and plenty of outlets, couches and coffee tables. The space is big and just slightly crowded around the bar area.
The staff was pleasant and friendly.
I’m not much of a coffee drinker so I won’t comment on the coffee I had.
The genmai tea wasn’t anything special, just something I could make with a purchased teabag.
The egg salad sandwich was pretty appetizing for a late night snack.
The turkey bacon sandwich was a little too salty for my taste.
Overall my experience was good.
I’m not much of a picky person so, I would definitely come back here again. It’s a nice place to relax with friends.

It’s late what’s open where we can chill out and have some snacks? Oh this place. I’ve had nothing but good experiences here. Cool vibe good tea decent snacks they serve alcohol too big comfy sofas that look like they haven’t been cleaned in years c’mon what beats that. If you’re with some friends a date need to do homework wana write some stuff knit fall asleep read a book color whatever you won’t be bothered here. Certain nights they have open mics jazz poetry mime interpretive dance call ahead and see if anything is going on. They should have movie night that would be great.
Ok I’m not so sure about the mimes and interpretive dancers but call and ask

The boyfriend, for reasons unbeknownst to me, loves this place. Vas, a fellow Unilocaler and a friend whose opinions I generally value highly, also loves this place. So, although I’m not crazy about this place, I’ve found myself here on numerous occasions… secretly wishing I was at Starbucks. I don’t get the appeal, but I also don’t need my coffee shops to exude much warmth or character (which is what people seem to be raving about here).
For those of you who have never been to the Tea Lounge, let me describe the scene… Picture someone’s garage, but multiply that space by 4−5x. Now add a bunch of couches and tables until there’s just enough space between each table to safely navigate a stroller. Add a bunch of chairs around the tables, and because it’s not already crowded enough, let’s add a bunch of pillows on the couches. Alright, I’m done whining about how cramped this place is… oh wait, it’s also ALWAYS PACKED! Okay, now I’m really done whining.
Aside from that, the coffee seems fine. They have free wifi that seems to work and they accept credit cards (I think the minimum is $ 8). They also let you stay for as long as your heart desires (which is typically about half hour for me) and they play «chill music» as Vas calls it (read: music that your brain can easily ignore). You can plug in your laptop and work for HOURS while nursing a small cup of coffee without anyone bothering you. While the place is always packed, the noise level is surprisingly manageable. This is a great place to host a group brainstorming session, a lively debate on Obamacare (and how similar it is to the German two-​tiered healthcare system), or whatever discussion you wish to have, without having to yell across the table at the other person (s).
P. S. They also serve food, yummy-​looking baked goods, and alcohol.
P. P. S. I think it smells faintly like a mixture of unbathed humans and toast.