11:11 Teahouse

Elite '08

86

52

Tanya F.

Atlanta, GA

I'll start with what I like about 11:11:  I think it's in a neat location, and there's such an awesome variety of teas.  The deck is great in the summer for relaxing with some bubble tea.  The owner very knowledgeable about the teas all and seems to be incredibly laid back.  Her cat is exceptionally friendly too--but that brings me to the flip side...

So now what I don't like...:  There's cat fur on everything, which is sort of weird for a business.  And another thing--when I walked in, I wasn't sure what to do.  I just stood there for a while, trying not to seem awkward.  I just checked out the teas for a while until the owner came out.  I don't mean to be a proponent of the 'go-go' corporate takeover lifestyle, but I hate that it's cash only, I almost never carry cash.  I don't think it would be compromising much to upgrade to a little visa card reader, am I wrong?

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Elite '08

103

258

nikki k.

Atlanta, GA

So, I went up here tonight to see my friends from Memphis play a show.   I've never  been here before and had no idea that it was cash only.  Bleh.  Well, if I had wanted something to drink they didn't seem to be offering anything anyway.

We got up there late (our friends were supposed to have already finished playing) but they hadn't even started.  The first band spent forever banging on drums like damned hippies.  We decided to sit outside and just wait, then take them out for drinks on us.  

Then the owner or door lady came up to us and said we needed to pay five dollars to hear the music (from outside.)  Okay, I am all about supporting bands but seeing as I am unemployed, I figured I would spend my money buying them drinks (somewhere where they take credit cards) after the show, as we all planned to go out and drink anyway.  

This daffy gal started getting very hostile and nasty towards us.  My sister and I offered her the only two dollars we each had, but our friends had no cash and she proceeded to berate them and even told our friend he needed to go to an ATM and get money?

We tried to explain to her we were just there to pick  up our friends but that fell on deaf ears.  She then said some other bizarre stuff to us.  We gave her four bucks to sit on her porch and wait for them to be done, but she pretty much kicked us out with her hostile behavior.  After taking our money she pulled up a chair and sat right next to my sister and was saying crap under her breath, so we left.

I will NEVER go back to this dump.  I mean, why would I want to sit on some nasty thrift store couch covered with a dirty blanket anyway?  And do they even have a license to run the place?   I will always pay to see bands, friends or not, but I didn't even want to step in there, it just looked dark and dirty.  I just wanted them to hurry up so we could go somewhere civilized.

Too bad I ended up just going home instead of bonding with my old high school pals.  They called after the show, wondering where we went, and they were pretty angry.  Thanks, lady, for being so frickin' cool.

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2

6

Kristen R.

Decatur, GA

I had been really excited to try this place out for some time. Two of my friends had been before and enjoyed the tea and knitting out on the patio.

Well, I tried it on  a weeknight this fall with one of my friends who had been there before. There were no other customers when we went. The owner talked on the phone for about 15 minutes while we looked at the loose teas they had to choose from.  The teas are in these large glass jars on shelves near the back of the place. Once she got off the phone, the owner was nice enough, if a little spacey, and took our order. I was a bit surprised that she was using a tiny electric kettle instead of something more commercial, but whatever works for her.  Anyway, my friend and I are sitting on a couch, practically in the dark, it was really that dim, and my friend noticed a huge roach crawling up the wall, very close to the now boiling tea kettle.

We explain to the owner why we don't want the tea anymore, and are going to leave. She told us it probably came in from outside, as the patio door was open and told us it was "nature," basically implying that we weren't appreciative of nature. Y'all, I know a roach is an animal too, but I do not want to find one near my food, especially not food that I am paying for. I imagine part of the reason we got such poor service was because there were no other customers there that night, but it was really just ridiculous the way she treated us.

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4

10

Carly T.

Atlanta, GA

I honestly hate this place. I cringe when i drive by it. If it is brought up in conversation or...GASP...actually being entertained as an idea for something to do that night, I immediately disown those friends.

OK so the last part was a little much but I just kinda wish this place didnt exist.

I have only been there one time but it was just so ridiculously awful I now refuse to even walk by it on the street. My tea which I was told by an employee and I'm quoting, "its fucking awesome!" was by far the most bitter piece of crap I have ever drank. I could have eaten the crap i clean out of the litter box and enjoyed it more! Plus the crowd there was like madmax meets veganism meets douche.

Do yourself a favor and never enter this terrible place.

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0

2

Ansley C.

Atlanta, GA

Going to a teahouse I would expect a certain amount of tranquility and manners, but both were lacking at this place. It was more of a dive than a teahouse. The slow service was not a problem, just the girl (owner's?) insolence which is generally suggestive of a poor upbringing or insecurities. I agree with Carly T.  -- I won't be going back or recommending it!

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166

292

Blake B.

Atlanta, GA

11:11 is like what would happen if your grandmother decided she was bored and let some young hip post-college kids who didn't want to go into corporate life open a coffee shop in her living room. This is a good thing. The atmosphere at 11:11 is as laid back as you ask for, lined with old sofas and small tables to allow customers to roam free. The product-- a huge set of shelves decked with all natural teas-- sits in a windowed corner, next to a desk where the tea is made. The owner really knows her stuff. If you feel overwhelmed- as I did, by the variety of choices- she can tell you what you might like based on your tastes. You then can roam or squat or recline while she goes about brewing your drink right there, wandering around amongst the shelves. It is a happy, comfortable place.

They also are a host to several art and music related gatherings. I've seen two private shows, a live band (right there in the living room), and private birthday parties that seem open to the public. Some weeks there is a Drone Night, where they spin laid back ambient and shoegaze records rather than the tacky pap other Atlanta 'DJs' keep churning out.

All in all, a nice place to get a cozy drink if you feel like chillin' at a home away from home.

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127

282

Stephanie S.

Chicago, IL

Feeling at home at 11:11 Teahouse

This place is so homey and tranquil you would think that you were transported to a country cottage and your grandmother was baking your favorite sugar tarts and brewing a fresh pot of jasmine tea so you and her can enjoy watching the bee's buzz in the colorfully fresh garden.

Your senses are overwhellmend in this teahouse where you can smell and taste different herbs, spices, plants, and flowers from all over the world. The woman who opened and runs this shop orders only the best ingrediants from actual sellers in the countries where the plants are grown.

My friend threw a Bridal Shower here which was an elegant start to the spring bridal season. We spent the afternoon sipping on different teas that were brought out to us and munched on danty sandwhiches and cookies. This teahouse would also be a great spot for a baby shower, engagement party, ladies book club meeting, a friend reunion gathering spot, or just a place to relax on the porch with a good book and sweet tea.

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Elite '08

52

136

Jennifer M.

Atlanta, GA

11:11 gets five stars for being the only place I know of that makes bubble tea.  Bubble tea is my favorite beverage, but it seemed to quickly disappear from everywhere!  Even if they weren't the only ones, however, I'm quite certain they would have the best anyway.  They add a bit of juice to the tea and it's pure perfection.  The milk tea is also quite excellent.  I haven't had a chance to just try some of their hot tea, but given the tastiness of everything else, I'm sure it's great.

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3

7

Darin G.

Atlanta, GA

This is one of the best places to hang out on a lazy day in Atlanta. The staff tend to know a lot about the teas they sell and can help you decide what to order, and the vibe is very cool and mellow. It's a geat room, and there's a gallery off to the side. Not a good place to go if you're in a hurry, because no one else there is. Great selection, too. It's a small space, though, and gets obnoxiously crowded on special music/performance event nights, so I recommend visiting during the day first.

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37

61

Rebekha J.

Atlanta, GA

This is a great little spot to sit and chill with a cup of tea. I have to say that I have tried to hold a few events here and they are not the best with returning phone calls. Penny is wonderful! I needed to find a replacement tea for a rest and relax that I had at one time and Penny nailed it! Her mixed blends are wonderful and they put me to sleep like an angel.

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20

186

Coley W.

Atlanta, GA

11:11 Teahouse sells all-natural teas, all of which come from the Camellia sinensis plant, and infusions, which are hot drinks made from other leaf and root products like cinnamon, ginko or ginger. Teahouse owner Penny Balmes says her most popular tea is jasmine dragon tears, which is brewed from green tea leaves that are hand-rolled into balls, dried and scented with jasmine oil.

Try the "brain tonic" infusion, a mixture of ginko leaves, gotu kola, rosemary, licorice, peppermint and ginger. Balmes claims it will enhance memory and aid circulation.

Stay up late at 11:11 Teahouse. They're open until 11.

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Elite '08

23

90

Chase C.

Atlanta, GA

The location of 11:11 is very convenient for intowners - on Edgewood in Inman Park, it has easy access from all directions.

I wasn't sure what to do when I first walked in. I saw couches & chairs, shelves stacked with glass jars, but no counter. And no one. I panicked for a second, thinking I'd stumbled into someone's house.

Tea *house* indeed. I finally figured it out when a smiling face appeared. She said nothing, but smiled. My friend arrived & we asked for our teas, & as she walked off finally I knew I was in the right place.

There's good patio space, but watch out for the ants out back. There's a good selection of chairs inside, so if you're a back-problem person, you should find something to suit you.

I ordered a large pot of chamomile since it was night time, & it was good enough that I didn't have to add any cursed sugar for flavor. My friend had a black tea of the server's choice, & later said it was good. The smiling (server? barrista? tea-fixer?) brought our teas when they'd steeped, & told us she also had a selection of vegan snacks. My ears perked up (I don't hear that suggestion often), & she brought us some samples. Chocolate wafers, ritz-like crackers, & crystallized/ sugar-coated ginger.

Pros: good location, helpful staff, vegan munchies, good chairs, assorted board games & shelves of books, tons of parking on the street.

Cons: No credit cards - cash or check only, no signage to help those uneducated on teas, the small space results in loudness when it's crowded, & the attentive staff turned unattentive when a cute guy playing guitar sat next to her. But I still couldn't get mad at her, because she was just too nice.

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