Our Medicine Makers
Three souls united by a vision to create a space that emphasizes reciprocity and allows people to practice traits of our humanity.
The one thread through all these centuries of tea houses has been the focus on being a venue for the community to come together over a cup of tea. The entertainment, conversations, locale, and décor were never formalized or governed by protocol or ritual. Instead, they were, and are, natural outgrowths of what happens when people gather to share the news of the day, tell traditional stories, and play songs in the sanctuary where one "forgets one's sufferings" with tea.
Hector Ayala
Mixes mocktails, experienced with herbal medicine
Hector brings authentic Pacific Island kava culture to Seattle's late-night scene, following traditional rituals with a casual approach. Serving from a tanoa to guests who drink from coconut shells, he creates ceremonial moments of connection. His expertise in herbal medicine and mocktails adds another layer of healing to the space.
"We serve kava the traditional way - it's about honoring the ritual and the community it creates."
Daneca (Thalay) Trần
Spoken-word rap artist, mindfulness practitioner, and community organizer
Thalay is a multi-disciplinary artist, mindfulness practitioner, and community organizer born and raised in Seattle; land of the Duwamish. With parents immigrating from South East Asia, Thalay devotes their work towards reparations for First Peoples as well as bringing awareness to the interconnected realities of cultural displacement and importance of embodied, cultural healing. Seeing that collective liberation is a personal responsibility, Thalay uses her creative passions to promote collective well-being through sharing modalities based in her 10 years of practice within the Plum Village tradition, land-based practices such as herbalism and holistic medicine, as well as offering free/donation based movement classes.
"She is a space maker- or rather, a wave maker- who loves to host and create safe, yet revolutionary spaces for community."
Alexia Parmer
Vocalist and community builder through music
As a musician and vocalist, Alexia infuses Cedar Tea House with creative energy. She hopes visitors participate in spontaneous events - whether it's a musical jam session, a board game, or deep conversation. Her vision is for organic moments of connection through art and play.
"Music, games, conversation - it's all about creating those unexpected moments of connection."
Experience Cedar Tea House
Artisan Tea Blends
From lemon ginger rooibos to carefully curated organic blends, each cup is crafted with intention and care.
Traditional Kava Ceremony
Experience authentic Pacific Island kava culture, served from a traditional tanoa in coconut shells.
Signature Mocktails
Salal-huckleberry with mint and other creative non-alcoholic beverages that celebrate local flavors.
"We're not just serving tea, we're brewing community"
Find Your Way to Us
Located in the heart of Seattle's Rainier Valley at 4419 Rainier Ave S, we're your late-night home away from home in Columbia City.
Cedar Tea House
4419 Rainier Ave S
Seattle, WA 98118
Wed-Sat
5:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Last call for kava at 1:30 AM
cedarteahousellc@gmail.com
Follow our journey
By Transit
Metro Bus Lines: 7, 9, 50 (Rainier Ave S)
Light Rail: Columbia City Station (10 min walk)
Bus Stop: Rainier Ave S & S Hudson St
By Car
Free street parking on Rainier Ave S after 6 PM
Paid lot behind building ($5 flat rate)
ADA accessible parking available
By Bike
Covered bike racks available
On the Rainier Valley Greenway
"The door is always open, the tea is always brewing"