Famed East Village Dive Bar Could Be Replaced By Bubble Tea Joint

EAST VILLAGE, NY — A UK-based bubble tea chain is looking to bring boozy bubble tea to the East Village in the space previously occupied by the longtime dive bar The International.

Bubbleology Tea has applied for a full liquor license for a new location at 120 1/2 First Ave., previously home to The International. EVGrieve first reported on Bubbleology's application. The International closed last year after more than 30 years in the East Village. Its owners moved the storied bar in with another watering hole they own, the Coal Yard, just one block south on First Avenue. Coal Yard reopened as the International at 102 First Ave.

Bubbleology Tea proposed location on First Avenue would be the chain's first in New York City.

The drink shop serves traditional bubble tea plus several boozy bubble tea options in some of its UK shops. Those menus include drinks like creamy vanilla bubble tea mixed with coffee liqueur, mango and passion fruit bubble tea mixed with coconut rum and milk coffee bubble tea with coconut rum.

The chain's proposed menu for its East Village location isn't yet available, but on its application Bubbleology Tea said it would serve food including "sweet and savoury toasted English crumpets" and other snacks.

If approved for a liquor license, the location would seat 30 people. Bubbleology Tea's proposed hours are from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

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