O5 Rare Tea Bar

8 Reviews on “O5 Rare Tea Bar”

• Angela Whyte

  Beautiful experience with tea made as you watch, (a bit zen). Lovely selection and also kombucha on tap made with different teas. Plenty of good information about the enjoyment of tea.

  September 17, 2017, 9:59 am

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• Alan King Bowden

  Awesome spot for tea like no other. Full of knowledge and a vast variety of rare teas. Great atmosphere and friendly staff ready to answer any questions you may have. One of my favourite spots to hangout on an afternoon while exploring the world of rare tea.

  March 29, 2017, 12:00 am

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• An

  Good tea, and I like their kombucha more than most of the ones I’ve tasted. Wild bush is a mild tea with little bitterness and lots of fragrant flavor. The rosewater macarons went very well with my silver needles white tea, and there are lots of uncommon teas to try out.

  June 15, 2016, 2:41 am

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• Karin Kam

  One of my favourite places to relax and have a great chat with my friends. Beautiful space, wide selection of teas.Its a great alternative to going out for beers, since I feel more cleansed every time I come here. They always have wonderful and knowledgeable staff to enhance your tea experience. They often have events to teach you more about the tea culture.Highly recommend! dimsumtrail.wordpress.com

  May 12, 2016, 10:56 pm

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• FoodinYVR

  A place for tea lovers. I’m not one of a tea drinker but I really liked their kombucha. After attending their kombucha class ($10), they gave us a $10 credit only if we purchase the kombucha kit. I wish I could use it on everything, not just the kit. I would rather just drop by and picked up some whenever I want. I wanted to get their kombucha kit for $45 but not sure if I will commit to it. I wanted one so that I can modified mine with low sugar, and/or caffeine-free. I hope they can help me with that. They also didn’t talk about how different tea will affect the result of the kombucha. This place also doesn’t serve at food. I suggest they add something to their menu especially when there is nothing much around at night. Food and sweets made from tea would be nice. Finally, there is a long bar and nothing like small round table where you can gather around and chat.

  July 24, 2014, 4:06 pm

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• Dipify

  TEA, TASTINGS & STORIES : O5 RARE TEA BAR. Some serious tea culture is brewing at O5 Rare Tea Bar, in West 4th, Vancouver. It sure beats drinking burnt coffee.Owner, Pedro Villaln, who has come a long way from slanging tea from the back of his truck, has created something special out of his obsession and endless travel. His passion is quite infectious.All O5s teas are organic, sustainable and handled by loving hands. The very thought of mass treated plantations, untouched by the wild is unthinkable. Much like many forms of love, perfection is in imperfection. Each tea has its own story. Each cup and bite has its own taste. And each hour is its own experience. These are the things good stories are made of.I could rave about fragrant, roasted oocha, the purest of pure; hand-cranked macha; or those big oak barrels in the back ageing white tea. I could also go on about how each tea is served ceremoniously into your cup/glass. But the mystery is part of the fun. Besides, the teas are probably going to change over the next while any ways. O5 stock only 15-20 teas at a time– an appropriate number for this eclectic importer to keep a careful watch over quality– meaning the menu is basically an ever changing fresh sheet. All teas are fresh, unless they aren’t suppose to be.Naturally, food pairings and tasting spoons change with the tea. This time I was treated to sugared hibiscus, ginger candy, and other genius stuff. It’s a mystery what’s in store for my next visit. Perhaps some herbs and spices? O5 is a far cry from those bus detours in China or corporate spin-offs in the strip malls.However, all this talk about tea does not do the whole O5 experience justice. An order of good quality tea can be re-steeped and enjoyed for hours. So O5 goes well with good people and a few stories.The large communal table puts your shoulder-to-shoulder with other appreciators– stranger or friend. The tasty pairings and candied surprises offer ample conversation pieces–an initial excuse to cross gazes with your neighbours to share a primitive sign of delight. Among the new faces was Kirby, who was a good sport as I yanked her chain for a couple of hours. Ariane randomly showed me a thing or two about camera bags. (This lady knows her cameras.)Of course the center of attention is Pedro himself. There is a story to everything. After all the ‘O’ in O5 stands for origins. And Pedro’s business is a product of the characters he surrounds himself with–whether it be an unnamed biker, who hocks ceramic bowls, mixologist, Lauren Mote, who supplies all the bitters. I personally would like to hear more about those loveable Asian farmers with the long pinky nail and the wooden beads. When a man travels far beyond civilization for tea, you know his stories will be incomparable.Impress a date, or come by your lonesome self. Maybe find out what the ‘5 means. Coffee, wine and cocktails have had their turn. Vancouver’s tea scene has just got a pick-me-up. Discover something new and forever at O5 Tea.See the pictures at http://allyoucanlove.com/2013/01/tea-tastings-stories-o5-rare-tea-bar/

  April 11, 2013, 12:58 am

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• SeizeTheDay

  It’s amazing this place. So unique. Loved everything I learned and the great tea stories from Pedro the owner. On your list to do while in Vancouver!

  February 28, 2013, 7:10 am

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