When people talk about non-alcoholic queer spaces in Chicago, one of the first places mentioned is often Elis Tea Bar. And although owner Eli Majid didnt initially open the store with that vision in mind, hes glad its grown into its community role.Elis Tea Bar opened nearly three years ago in Chicagos Andersonville neighborhood and has evolved into a community staple. While the queer community can head to Northalsted for a night of bar hopping, they can come to the tea bar during the day or in the evening for a variety of promoted activities.The original Elis Tea Bar in Birmingham, Michigan will be 10 years old this December. Before the shops inception, Majid simply sold teas as a side business at local farmers markets.It was definitely to create a job that I couldnt find, he said. It was to create a space I didnt see, but also Ive always kept in mind that this business Im creating has to be sustainable for myself and as a company.Majid graduated from Loyola with an undergraduate degree in plant biology, and has always been interested in both tea and business. He views his shop as a cross between a wine bar and a coffee shop, since teas also lend themselves to discussing blends, regions, cultures and more. He said he gravitated towards running a business around tea because its a beverage that more easily extends into the evening, unlike coffee.Eli Majid (right) with silent disco host Niah Whitley. Photo: Eli Majid Outside of the shops themselves, Elis Tea Bar supplies tea to establishments such as cafes, restaurants and hotels. Many of the teas are house blends, but some of them are also direct imports. In the near future, Majid said theyll be launching canned non-alcoholic tonics, as well.Although he didnt intend to make the shop a well-known non-alcoholicthough he did envision it as queerspace, he said its been fun to see it grow in that direction. Over the past ten years, he said both shops have become this type of needed space.It was something that happened, but it was something where I could see the customers raising their hands, if that makes sense, Majid said. At some point, I think I had the initial idea, and then I think over time I actually gained the confidence to really run with the idea.Those ideasespecially those involving his evening eventshave been the crux of the Chicago business. Elis Tea Bar boasts a variety of activities from open mics to writing groups to art creation nights and more. And theyre a big hitMajid said the business is often hitting capacity.Melissa Erikson has been doing stand up comedy for two years and began hosting the Friday open-mic nights at Elis for around a year ago. She became interested in Elis after seeing it was not only a queer place but owned by a queer person, which are to her as a trans woman.Queer spaces are so important to me to feel safe, to see myself reflected in my story, reflected in other people, to know that Im less alone, she said. Im turning 30 this year, but especially when I was younger, being in spaces like that [was] probably a little life-saving for me I can say in many ways. And now theyre just life-affirming.Even when shes tired after long weeks, Erikson said her mood does a total 180 after attending the Friday events and spending time with the community. She said every week, she sees people exchanging art and numbers, complimenting each other and forming relationships.Open-mic nights are one of Eli Tea Bars signature events, drawing in a variety of patrons to watch or perform. Photo courtesy of Eli Majid Open-mic nights are one of Eli Tea Bars signature events, drawing in a variety of patrons to watch or perform. Photo: Eli Majid The Chicago shop has been growing, gaining more business and revenue every year, Majid said. He also thinks that the rise of people becoming sober-curious during and post-peak pandemic has added to the desire for non-alcoholic spaces. Theyre also looking to have more dynamic social lives with nighttime options besides going to bars.What were doing did not exist when I was in college, he said. What were doing did not exist 10 years ago, five years ago and whatnot I think the bars will always have a place in the queer community, and I love going out too. But what people are seeking now is theyre seeking more quiet spaces. Theyre seeking introvert-friendly spaces. Theyre really interested in being nerds.Hes also open to ideas from the communitytarot events, writing fun PowerPoints, anything slow fun, living room fun. He said theyre always looking for new events to cater to different parts of the community.Although Majid said he doesnt have any sort of metrics he uses to gauge success, hes busy every night. And while other Chicago business owners he knew were telling him about down in sales this past winter, Elis Tea Shop surpassed all its sales goals. Theres no expansion plans currently in place, but he said the team is always keeping [its] eyes open.We are proof of the concept that a sober space is needed, he said. We have lots of programming. We have a diverse amount of customersevery age, every cultural background. And its authentically forming.///For my fellowship between Comcast NBCUniversal and Windy City Times, I often focus on queer entrepreneurs and creatives here in Chicago. This month, I got to speak to the lovely Eli Majid, owner of Andersonvilles Elis Tea Bar.The shop has quickly become a bit of a non-alcoholic queer haven during its nearly three yearsalthough this wasnt something Majid predicted when he opened in Chicago, hes happy to see it grow in this way.Over time, hes added in community-driven or suggested events, which have become some of the driving forces of his business. Whether thats open mic nightsI also speak to trans open mic host Melisa Erikson about her experience performing in a safe queer spaceto writing groups and more, theres something for everyone. And theyre always looking for community input on future events.One of the main themes throughout Elis Tea Bars story is how its become the much-needed spot for slower-paced queer activities. During our interview, Majid asked me if I had a place like that to go to in collegeI didnt, my first real experience in the queer community in the city was going to the bars when I was 21, and he felt similarly.Bars will always have a place in the queer community, but the tea bar is, in Majids words, carving out a niche that didnt exist years ago.If youre looking to visit, Elis Tea Bar hosts weekly trivia nights Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m., art nights Thursdays at 8 p.m. and open mic nights Fridays at 8 p.m. You can also check out their events page to find other specific activities coming up, or just head up to Andersonville to sample their wide variety of teas.This story is part of the Digital Equity Local Voices Fellowship lab through News is Out. The lab initiative is made possible with support from Comcast NBCUniversal.The post Elis Tea Bar continues to grow as a Chicago non-alcoholic queer haven appeared first on News Is Out.