Bubbleology Offers New Bubble Tea and Karaoke Option to Downtown Iowa City

Edison Wang is betting that private-room karaoke has the potential to be a big hit in America, just like it has been as it has spread across China.

Popular enough to support two establishments in downtown Iowa City.

"I believe so, and hopefully I am right," Wang said.

Wang, 23, a senior marketing major at the University of Iowa, is the manager of Bubbleology, a new karaoke and bubble tea spot that opened last week, which is located at 325 E. Washington Street Suite 15, below the Iowa City Chamber of Commerce in the space formerly occupied by Kaplan Test Center.

He says that his big emphasis in starting Bubbleology is to provide a combination of high-quality bubble tea and a high quality private-room karaoke experience that is difficult to find in the Midwest. Wang said this is why he has decided to spend extra to insure that the karaoke equipment and the tea, imported directly from Taiwan, are both top notch.

Wang said he considers these extra expenditures an investment in the future of Bubbleology.

"The main thing I can do is to provide excellent quality for my drinks and Karaoke equipment," he said. "I want to build a business that lasts, not something that ends after I graduate."

Wang said that part of making Bubbleology a part of the community was his decision to offer karaoke music in multiple languages, including English, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, and more.

Although he said he realizes that many of his customers will be Chinese students studying at the University of Iowa, he said he wanted to make sure all members of the community whatever their age group or nationality, knows they can enjoy karaoke

"I hope everybody will hear that this is a private karaoke business for everyone in town," Wang said. "It doesn't matter if you are old, young and speak whatever language. This is a cultural diversity place and also I love to meet people from everywhere in the world, and this is one of my primary goal for this business."

Hot and cold teas are available now, and Wang said the goal is to eventually offer food as well. Flavors include many fruit varieties that bubble tea fans are familiar with, such as mango, strawberry, and watermelon, but Wang said they also offer some tea flavors that are difficult to find in the United States, even in a large city like Chicago.

Wang said Bubbleology's many themed rooms (such as Mario room or a Hawkeye room) are available for reservation. He said Bubbleology is open until 4:00 a.m. in the morning on Friday and Saturday in order to cater to a college crowd that wants to enjoy an alternative to the downtown drinking scene.

Full hours: Monday- Thursday: 10:00 a.m. to Midnight; Friday and Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m.; and Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to Midnight.

You can call to make a room reservation at Bubbleology at (319) 354-8888.