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Historic Tea Room on Queen Mary Transformed into Surfer’s Bar

Wave-riding Elegance Meets Salty Snacks in Maritime Makeover

Historic Tea Room on Queen Mary Transformed into Surfer’s Bar: High Tide Tea Time

Byline: Sandy Shores, Long Beach, California

Screw the News Photo -- the transformed historic tea room on the Queen Mary, now a surfer's bar called High Tide Tea Time. This i13
Screw the News Photo — the transformed historic tea room on the Queen Mary, now a surfer’s bar called High Tide Tea Time.

In a move that has traditionalists raising their pinkies in protest and surfers waxing their boards in anticipation, the Queen Mary’s storied tea room, once the epitome of maritime elegance, has undergone a radical transformation. “High Tide Tea Time,” the newly minted surfer’s bar, now offers a unique blend of surf culture and high seas history, serving up wave-themed cocktails and beachside snacks amidst the ocean liner’s opulent décor.

The grand opening saw a curious mix of clientele: seasoned surfers in board shorts and flip-flops clinking glasses with tweed-clad historians, all marveling at the surfboards hanging where portraits of maritime captains once did. The menu, a clever blend of British high tea traditions and laid-back surf shack fare, includes items such as the “Big Wave Scone” served with seaweed jam and the “Hang Ten Tea,” a potent brew of rum and tea, garnished with a mini surfboard.

A Swell of Opinions: Surfers and Historians Ride the Wave of Change

Screw the News Photo -- depicting the transformation of the historic tea room on the Queen Mary into a surfer's bar, now called H12
Screw the News Photo — depicting the transformation of the historic tea room on the Queen Mary into a surfer’s bar, now called …

The transformation has sparked a tidal wave of opinions. Local surfer, Kona Kai, praised the innovative concept, saying, “Dude, catching a wave and then catching a high tide tea? Epic!” Meanwhile, maritime historian Penelope Port sternly adjusted her monocle before stating, “It’s an affront to the Queen Mary’s dignified history. Tea time is not a time for tomfoolery!”

Riding the Cultural Wave: A Bar that Breaks Tradition

“High Tide Tea Time” isn’t just about refreshments; it’s a cultural phenomenon blending the adventurous spirit of surf culture with the timeless elegance of the Queen Mary. Patrons can sip on cocktails like the “Tsunami Tini” while listening to tales of the high seas, bridging the gap between Long Beach’s surf community and its maritime heritage.

Surf’s Up: The Queen Mary’s Bold New Direction

Screw the News Photo -- depicting the transformation of the historic tea room on the Queen Mary into a surfer's bar, now called H11
Screw the News Photo — depicting the transformation of the historic tea room on the Queen Mary into a surfer’s bar, now called …

This daring venture is part of a broader initiative to attract a new wave of visitors to the historic ship, appealing to younger generations while still honoring the Queen Mary’s legacy. The ship’s management hopes to prove that history and modernity can coexist, even thrive, together.

High Tide or High Tea? A Fusion of Flavors and Cultures

As “High Tide Tea Time” rides the crest of popularity, it serves as a reminder that innovation can breathe new life into historic spaces. Whether it’s the allure of surfing or the charm of a bygone era, this surfer’s bar on the Queen Mary offers the best of both worlds, proving that sometimes, you can have your scone and eat it too, surfboard in hand.

Disclaimer: A Spoonful of Satire

Before you grab your surfboard and your tea cup, remember that the tale of “High Tide Tea Time” is served with a generous splash of satire, a blend brewed to entertain and amuse. In the grand tradition of the Queen Mary, we navigate the seas of humor to bring you stories that delight and surprise. So, as we say Auf Wiedersehen, let’s toast to the spirit of adventure, the joy of surfing, and the timeless elegance of tea time, even if it’s just in our imaginations.

By Althea Sumilang (Amarillo Beach)

Althea Sumilang graduated from the University of the Philippines with a degree in Journalism. Her career began in broadcast journalism, covering major sporting events across Southeast Asia. Althea's love for the ocean led her to Amarillo Beach, where she became a beloved figure in the surfing community, not only for her stand-up surfing prowess but also for her engaging features on surf culture and environmental conservation. Her sunny disposition and blonde locks are well-known, as is her dedication to mentoring young surfers and journalists.

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