Bubble Tea – Downtown Magazine

Hot Pot Lab, the Newest Pop-Up

After more than 3 months quarantine due to COVID-19, New Yorkers are now in the reopening phase of their beloved city. It’s a welcome relief for all especially small businesses throughout the city.

Museums like the Moma announced their reopening after a 4-month quarantine, and we could not be happier. New Yorkers are more than excited to go again, but say that they will remain visually concerned about the risk and take the CDC guidelines seriously to avoid exposure.

Hot Pot Lab, the newest pop-up, this interactive food-themed pop-up art gallery, will focus on the integration of food and art with interactive installations. This creative concept not only offers visitors the opportunity to explore art but allows visitors to learn about Hot Pot.

When we asked several New Yorkers for their favorite Chinese dish, many said that their favorite is Kung-pao Chicken.”

But in-fact Hot Pot is one of the most popular in Chinese culture. When researching, we found that there is archaeological evidence that shows the earliest hot pots, appeared around the Zhou dynasty. This research and many conversations we had with Chinese people, Hot Pot does appear to be one of the most significant dishes among the Chinese people.

The founders of Hot Pot Lab cleverly created the merging of Hot Pot dining and art installations. The exhibit is around 3,500 sqft, crossing two levels at their location of 57 Bond. Inside you will find more than 15 art scenes in this uniquely designed space.

The experience includes artistic installations, free hot pot and bubble tea coupons, an exclusive gift shop as well as indoor and outdoor photo opportunities.

I really like the Sudoku installation. It is a machine depicting people eating hot pot all at the same table. The founder explains that the eyes of the machine will move to follow the visitor in their personal chamber, as ingredients are served.

My daughter likes the Mochi installation most because she can lean on the giant white cushion and feel the softness and stickiness of the mochi. I think every child will enjoy this type of installation.

When I asked the founders how they will protect each visitor during this difficult time. They gave me an introduction to their opening policy. The Hot Pot Lab will follow both New York and the CDC reopening guidelines, visitors will be required to wear a face-covering when entering the pop-up. Each space will be thoroughly cleaned before and after their guest leave. In addition, throughout the day, all touchpoints will be sanitized immediately after each visit.

There will also be a limit to the number of people on each floor to ensure social distancing.

This exhibition supports the Food Bank of New York City, the city’s largest hunger-relief NGO during COVID-19 by donating one dollar per ticket sold.

Trip.com is an innovative planning tool that tailors recommendations for places to stay, eat and play to your specific tastes. It also allows you to share your great experiences with people who have the same interests as you; people in your “tribes.” Trip.com’s TripPicks This Week feature empowers you to discover and take advantage of great events, openings and exhibits throughout the city each week.

Here are some exciting events and sites to check out this week in Downtown New York, courtesy of Trip.com. Visit the Trip.com site or download the app for more upcoming events.

1. Uptown/Downtown/Dance
Schimmel Center at Pace University (Financial District)
Friday, Apr. 28 and Saturday, Apr. 29 at 7:30pm

Audiences are in for a real treat when New York Theatre Ballet’s series Uptown/Downtown/Dance new season opens with two as-yet-untitled world premiers from Martin Lawrance and Zhong-Jing Fang. The program also includes Pam Tanowitz, whose works are set to live music by Lou Harrison, David Lang and Beethoven and Edward Henkel’s restaging of “Re-Vision,” with music by Edvard Grieg. Tickets $29

2. Cheers for Charity
City Winery (SoHo)
Saturday, Apr. 29 at 1pm

What’s better than a wine tasting event with over 200 wines from over 30 regions served by the finest New York sommeliers? A wine tasting event that gives 100% of the proceeds to Wheeling Forward, an organization that helps people with disabilities “experience life to the fullest and enable them to see possibility where others see insurmountable obstacles.” Tickets start at $99.

3. Indie Bookstore Day
Check site for participate stores
Saturday, Apr. 29 (Check site for times)

New Yorkers are independent-minded individuals and so it is our duty to defend independent business that have made this city what it is. Saturday is Indie Bookstore Day and we are going to be hitting one or two independent bookstores in our area to pick up a few reads, snatch up really cool limited edition art pieces, listen to live music and author readings, eat cupcakes and much more.

4. Pop-Up Chelsea Market
8th Ave. (14th St. – 23rd St.)
Saturday, Apr. 29 from 10am-6pm

Pop Up New York returns to Chelsea, transforming 8th avenue into a hopping street fair block party. Count on live performances, entertainment, lots of yummy food, trendy goods, a few surprises and an all-around good time!

5. Bubble Tea Pop Up Exhibit
355A Bowery (East Village)
Monday-Friday from 11am-9pm; Saturday-Sunday from 11am-10pm (through Saturday, May 6)

Continuing New York’s sugar obsession – seriously it’s a problem – is the Boba Room, a 3 week “pop up theme park for boba lovers.” Of course you’ll be able to have your fill of bubble tea from New York favorites like Tea and Milk, Pa Tea, Vivi Bubble Tea, and Gong Cha, but the real fun is the exhibit. It features giant bubbles, murals, sculptures, funky neon art and other artistic homages to boba. Tickets $10.