11th Hour Tea & Coffee Bar

Bridget Gallaghur opened 11th Hour Tea & Coffee Bar in January 2018. The shop’s name has personal meaning to Gallaghur, who has often felt the stress of life bubble to the surface during the 11th hour—the metaphorical last minute. It was her mother who inspired her to embrace the concept instead of fear it, suggesting that the 11th hour can be a time of miracles.

Since this shift in mentality, the number 11 has appeared regularly in Gallaghur’s life: in store sales, in tip dollars, everywhere.

“I’ll see 11, and 11 will remind me—you’ll be OK,” Gallaghur says. “Hang in there.”

For those seeking calm and refuge during their own 11th hour, Gallghur’s shop may be the perfect place to go. Large windows bathe the space in natural light, and the walls are decorated with local artwork and potted plants. The staff is warm and affable, creating a cozy and relaxed place to study, read, or share a coffee with friends.

The menu boasts an assortment of drinks around $3–5, with a variety of teas, golden milks, tea lattes, superfood lattes, and a full line of espresso items. The bar subscribes to Stumptown Coffee Roasters, for their commitment to third-wave artisanal coffee.

I had the Blue Chamomile, a new matcha beverage made from butterfly pea flowers, a caffeine-free herbal tea. The drink was foamy like a latte, but bright blue in color with a sweet and earthy taste.

Despite her dedication to making great-tasting beverages, Gallaghur views 11th hour Tea & Coffee Bar as more than a place to enjoy a good drink. To her, it’s about building connections.

“I love engaging with people, and I like the energy here,” she says. “It’s very intimate—that’s what I like. So I just throw in some beverages to go with it.”

833 N. State St., Bellingham
360.788.4229 | 11thhourteaandcoffeebar.com

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