Samu Tea Pop-Up

Overview

It's not often you'd find tea lovers drinking in a cocktails bar, but walk into CBD stalwart Bar Americano at the moment and that's exactly what you'll find. The pocket-sized digs have transformed into a Japanese tea pop-up by the bar's owner Matt Bax. Dubbed Samu, the pop-up is about as different to a raucous night out as it gets. Instead of sitting down for a negroni or the venue's namesake drink, you'll be drinking top-quality tea.

With the intention to be a meditative experience, each session is performed in a ritualised manner and runs for about five minutes, with a maximum of two people at anyone time — so expect peace and quiet. You'll be asked to put your phone away, too. If you're keen to book, you can opt for a private tea mediation, which costs $15 and will see you sitting in the entire space solo, sipping a bowl of tea — a single origin ceremonial-grade matcha or caffeine-free Tochu, to be exact — and eating Koko Black chocolate. Otherwise, you can book for a private session for two for $25, where you'll get the space all to yourselves for up to ten minutes.

Walk-ins are also available, but with such limited capacity expect to wait in line. Thankfully, with such short sessions, it moves quickly.

Samu's pop-up at Bar Americano is running from June 7–30. It's open from 10am–2pm every Tuesday through Thursday. To book, head here.