A Tiny New Bubble Tea Shop Has Opened Inside an Old ATM on Swanston Street

Renowned Malaysian brand Tealive has 500 stores located around the world, but its latest Melbourne venture is a little different. Opening today in the site of a former Swanston Street ATM, it's set to be one of the smallest bubble tea stores in the world. Clocking in at just 4.4 square metres, the cashless venue has room for just two staff at any one time.

Despite its size, Tealive's new hole-in-the-wall is slated to dish out over 500 bubble teas a day and it's kicking things off strong by giving away a whole stack of freebies for opening day. Swing by the space across from the State Library Victoria from 12–4pm today, February 18, and you'll nab yourself a complimentary signature pearl milk tea.

Eugene Hyland

Unsurprisingly, this store's working a smaller menu than the rest of the brand's 500 international outposts, celebrating Tealive's best-selling bevs. Roll past for drinks like the silky roasted milk tea loaded with grass jelly, an iced matcha latte featuring warm pearls, the strawberry custard smoothie and a range of fruity iced teas, along with a milk tea soft-serve dessert. It's an entirely cashless operation, so you simply order and pay via the electronic display out front.

And while this store's got a tiny physical footprint, Tealive is also making moves to up its environmental game across all global outposts. It's swapping out plastic straws for paper alternatives and even sells its own range of reusable bubble tea tumblers.

Find Tealive's new store at 335–339 Swanston Street, Melbourne. It's giving out free signature pearl milk teas today, Tuesday, February 18, from 12–4pm.

Images: Eugene Hyland