I have met Travis Sigley twice — once at the Lower Haight communal living space, the Convent, and once over Skype, where we discussed his new members-only tea house — and both times he was not wearing a shirt. Apparently Sigley hasn't worn a shirt in over six years and we don't expect that to change when he opens his Tea Oasis this Sunday, August 3.
Dubbed the "cuddle cafe" by The Bold Italic, the tea house is modeled after the communal Chinese tea ceremony Gong Fu Cha, but with a twist that Sigley brings from his cuddle therapy business.
"It's a pro-touch environment," Sigley tells SFist. "But you don't have to cuddle. The whole point is to create a grounding, relaxing environment that's not a bar."
There will be a designated pillow lounge for "holding hands, scratching backs, or just laying down solo and relaxing," according to Tea Oasis's website, and a no-shoes and no-device (phones and laptops) policy.
Sigley says it's membership-based because everybody will be serving tea, based on the Gong Fu Cha method, and those who sign up must follow the rules, which you can read here. Anyone can become a member.
If you want to check it out, the grand opening on Sunday starts at 3 p.m. at the Convent's sister collective, the Center (548 Fillmore Street), and it's $20 for the day or free if you purchase a $50 a month membership. To start, Tea Oasis will be open Monday through Thursday from 2 p.m. to Midnight, but Sigley hopes to expand hours into the weekend.