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Midtown’s latest traffic attraction comes with tapioca pearls. Gong Cha is sending a mobile LED truck through the neighborhood starting tomorrow, kicking off a weekend of free drinks, giveaways and a chance to win enough bubble tea to keep your straw busy for a year.
The celebration is in honor of the Taiwanese tea chain’s 20th anniversary and the unveiling of two remodeled shops at 75 West 38th Street and 12 West 32nd Street. Before you start clearing space in your beverage budget, one distinction: the truck will distribute free-pearl vouchers; the year-of-tea prize is part of the weekend festivities at the stores.
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On Friday, October 23, from 1pm to 7pm, the truck will cruise Midtown around both locations, with brand ambassadors handing out 3,000 vouchers for free pearls with any beverage purchase. Then, the bigger giveaway starts at 10am on Saturday, October 24, and Sunday, October 25, at both shops.
The first 75 guests each day receive exclusive merchandise: tote bags on Saturday and tumblers on Sunday. The next 100 guests each day get a free medium beverage, choosing from Mango Green Tea, Strawberry Milk Tea or Black Milk Tea with Pearls.
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Both locations will also offer buy-one-get-one-free deals on five fan-favorite beverages throughout the weekend, plus spin-the-wheel prizes, waffle and breakfast samples, and a chance to enter for a free year of Gong Cha. (The announcement doesn’t specify exactly how many drinks that prize includes, so don't calculate your daily boba allowance.)
Beyond the freebies, the shops have received a refresh with open layouts, self-service ordering kiosks and upgraded brewing technology intended to move orders along faster. The 38th Street outpost also has seating, a red merchandise display wall and an expanded breakfast lineup, opening at 8 am for pastries, specialty coffee and bottled drinks alongside its teas.
Both spaces feature original work by artist and designer Hannah K. Lee, whose boba-centric lettering draws inspiration from newspaper mastheads and New York’s visual culture. The collaboration also includes apparel, hats and tote bags.
A third remodeled location is coming to 42 Mott Street, though an opening date hasn’t been announced. For now, your weekend assignment is in Midtown: arrive early, choose your tea and leave room for pearls.