Saahiti Kiran Chamala/ Fourth Estate

The perfect spot for late-night cravings and boba adventures

BY SAAHITI KIRAN CHAMALA, CULTURE EDITOR

We’re college students, of course we love our late-night boba runs! 

You might have seen promotions of this boba chain in collaboration with “The King: The Eternal Monarch,” or noticed it buzzing on your way to campus. 

Well, the wait is over– The Alley, a popular Taiwanese boba chain, has finally opened its first location in the DMV! Located conveniently on Main Street in Fairfax, it’s just a quick 5-minute commute for students living on campus. The shop features a minimalist design with accents of black and white that create a clean, modern aesthetic.

“My first impression when I walked into The Alley was that there isn’t much color to the place, and it’s just very white and bright,” Aviroop Kaur Dhaliwal, a junior at Mason, said. “Most boba places have some type of theme or fun colors to go along with it, so this was a new experience for me.”

Open until 11:30 p.m. on weekdays and 1.a.m on the weekends, it’s perfect for those looking for a late-night boba fix or just a chill hangout spot with friends. “As an avid bubble tea drinker, I was surprised to find out that a new boba place opened up so close to campus with such late hours,” Dhaliwal commented.

The Alley’s menu has familiar options to regular boba-enthusiasts; however, one drink stands out: the Ube Brown Sugar Deerioca Creme Brulee Milk Tea.

“This drink was so unique! It’s rich, creamy and the perfect balance of sweetness with the ube flavor,” Mason junior Sthuthi Chakravarthy said. “I’ve never tasted anything quite like it before at a boba shop.”

Aside from this unique drink, most of the menu items are similar to other popular boba spots around campus. However, the prices at The Alley do lean towards the higher end for a similar portion size.

Overall, The Alley is a refreshing new option for boba lovers in the area. If you’re looking to mix things up and try something a little different, this spot could definitely be on your list. It’s the perfect place to switch up your usual boba routine and explore some new flavors, making it a must-try destination for those late-night cravings.