A first-of-its-kind, late-night tea house and lounge has opened in Fort Worth: Called Floating Lotus Tea, it is located at 120 Louis Ave., Ste. 103, tucked inside Hao’s Grocery and Café in the Near Southside.

The innovative concept comes from a Fort Worth artist named Choke — an acronym for "Creating Her Own Kinetic Energy." A self-described "full-time artist turned tea lady," Choke has spent extensive time in Southeast Asia pursuing her passion for tea, staying on farmers' properties to help cultivate, harvest, and process the leaves.

Once she understood the nuances of tea production, she traveled across Vietnam with just a motorcycle and a backpack in search of the finest leaves. Along the way, she formed close lifelong friendships with local tea farmers and gained a deep appreciation for their heritage — traditions that, in many cases, have been passed down for thousands of years.

"I am obsessed with the plant and the importance of preserving and supporting tea farming communities; it’s an artistry that continues to tell a story," Choke says. "I wanted to bring that same spirit to my own community in Fort Worth — to create a space where we can sit down and have deeper conversations."

At Floating Lotus, visitors can sample a variety of teas sourced directly from the farms Choke worked with and visited over the past 15 years across China, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Taiwan, and Myanmar. Guests are encouraged to taste different varieties and strike up conversations with fellow visitors during what Choke calls "CommuniTea" nights.

Founder and tea sommelier Choke pours single-origin tea during a traditional service at Floating Lotus Tea.Photo courtesy of Floating Lotus Tea

"We’re sitting down with people we don't know, creating an inviting environment to explore different perspectives through intimate conversations," Choke says.

The 20-seat lounge offers a cozy, speakeasy vibe inside Hao’s Grocery and Café, a gourmet market featuring international items and to-go meals from well-known Fort Worth chef Hao Tran, a nominee for Chef of the Year in the 2023 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards.

Choke and Vietnamese vegan chef Luu Lac initially began using the back space on Thursday nights to serve tea and food alongside live DJ sets. By mid-July, the space had officially launched as Floating Lotus Tea. The Thursday night collaboration with Chef Luu Lac continues as a regular feature.

Tucked inside Hao’s Grocery and Café, Floating Lotus Tea creates a speakeasy-style sanctuary for tea enthusiasts. Photo courtesy of Floating Lotus Tea

The tea house’s interior was entirely hand-crafted by Choke. She sourced and reclaimed the wood used for the tables and chairs, decorated the room with her own paintings and sculptures, and even taught herself to sew overnight to make the custom pillows and drapes.

Tables are equipped with icebreaker prompt cards for guests looking to disconnect from their phones and start a conversation, meditate, or simply take in the atmosphere. Live DJs perform every night, setting the backdrop for connection and reflection. Floating Lotus also hosts philosophy discussions, tea-themed movie nights, guided tea meditations, and educational tasting classes.

As a certified tea sommelier, Choke recognizes that traditional tea culture is still gaining a foothold in Texas. "It’s important for people to come in with an open mind," she says. "It's about allowing yourself to experience what tea truly is and what it can be, until it becomes a familiar, recognizable palate."

Floating Lotus Tea is open from 6 pm-1 am Wednesday-Saturday.