Sweet Bamboo Boba stands out as Maryland’s first do-it-yourself (DIY) bubble tea bar, offering a highly personalized experience where customers can craft their ideal drink. Sweet Bamboo Boba first opened its doors in Severna Park, Maryland, in 2023, and is now expanding with a new location planned for Downtown Silver Spring.
The bubble tea bar will be taking over the space that was home to Moorenko’s, at 8030 Georgia Ave., for nearly 25 years, Source of the Spring reports. At Sweet Bamboo Boba, patrons become their own “boba baristas,” with the freedom to select from a vast array of teas, syrups, and toppings. This complete customization extends to sweetness levels and ice preferences, and customers can even sample base drinks before finalizing their creations. A single price covers all toppings, whether it’s classic tapioca, various jellies, popping boba, or red beans.
Beyond bubble tea, Sweet Bamboo Boba also delights with bakery items such as pastries, cakes (including Tiramisu), bubble waffles, and honeydew-and-taro-filled donuts, with gluten-free options available. Reviews for its Severna Park location state that the shop cultivates inviting atmosphere, complete with playful decor and interactive games like soccer tables.
While the DIY aspect is central, they also offer popular pre-designed drinks like Brown Sugar Milk Tea, the Japanese Lavender Field (Hokkaido and Taro Milk Tea), Chocolate Cereal (Ice Chocolate and Taro Milk Tea), Mango Slush, Matcha Kit Kat (Matcha Milk Tea and Ice Chocolate), Sunrise Coffee in Thailand (Thai Milk Tea and Coffee), The Starry Night Fairy (a refreshing summer drink), their “God Tier” Taro Smoothie, and Black Sesame Vanilla Milk Tea.