If you like tea, Tea Bar may be your hidden gem.

Tucked away behind Baskin-Robbins 31 Flavors and next to Body Exchange Sports Club on White Lane, Tea Bar is a new alternative to the ever-popular coffee house.

Andy Nguyen opened Tea Bar four months ago and says he serves anywhere from 70 to 100 drinks per day to thirsty customers.

All drinks are made to order in a fashion that Nguyen describes as “like bartender.”  There’s even an actual bar where you can see your pick of tea, displayed in clear jars, while sitting and watching your drink of choice being made.

Or, if you’re in a hurry, there’s a drive-thru to get you in and out quickly.

There is a pretty extensive menu of drinks that include, but are not limited to: tea, coffee, smoothies, flavored shots and Italian sodas.

At this time the only snacks offered are small bags of chips, but Nguyen says he is working on a menu for hungry patrons hoping to eat as well as enjoy one of the many tea varieties or other drinks offered at Tea Bar.

Nguyen says tea is a healthy alternative to energy drinks and coffee.

One goal of his business is to educate people on the health benefits of tea. Nguyen says white tea is especially appealing to women.

According to Nguyen, white tea can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines as well as help to keep teeth and hair healthy.

There is a health chart hanging on the wall, as well as on Tea Bar’s website (www.TeaBarca.com), where you can read about the health benefits of the different tea categories.  Nguyen’s slogan for Tea Bar reads: “Flavor + Health = Tea-Mates.”

A weekend special Tea Bar offers is coconut Jell-O, served in the coconut shell complete with decoration, and made fresh by Nguyen’s wife.

The building looks very small from the outside, but once inside there is room for about 25 people to sit comfortably, Tea Bar offers free Wi-Fi for people to use while hanging out or studying.

There is also a stack of games available to customers who want to pass the time while savoring their beverage of choice.

Nguyen said, Tea Bar used to have free live music on the weekend and is currently looking for a new musician to fill the space left empty.

Tea Bar is located at 7697 White Lane and is open seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays.