“Last weekend, my friends and I went to a local Kava bar. We had a blast! Connecting with new people, having some Kava mocktails…we’ll definitely be back!” – Anonymous Kat’s Botanicals contributor.
Kava is an herb from the South Pacific islands that’s trending in the US as a more relaxing and enjoyable way to socialize. You may have a Kava bar or Kava lounge in your area. If you’ve been to one already, then you know it’s a great place to unwind, meet up with friends, or do a vibe-check on that latest swipe-right person.
Curious about Kava Bars?
Traditional Kava is making waves in a new way as Kava bars are popping up across the US. But what is a Kava bar? What is a Kava bar like? It’s like a relaxing trip to the islands with every sip!
Today, Kats Botanicals is discussing Kava bars:
- What is a Kava bar?
- Tips for locating a Kava bar near you
- What type of atmosphere you may find at a Kava bar
- Types of botanical drinks that may be on the menu
- And more!
If you’re new to Kava, you may be surprised to learn that they don’t typically sell alcohol at these trendy bars. Kava is the star of these social spaces. Here’s what you might expect to experience at that new Kava bar near you.
Why Do People Go to Kava Bars?
A college student shared her story with Kats Botanicals’ staff. We loved hearing her story about the relaxed vibe, the expansive menu of Kava drinks, Kratom mocktails, and CBD-infused wellness drinks. The Kava bar she visited had an island theme, complete with hang drum tunes and coconut bowls.
“There were a lot of different kinds of people there. Everyone was smiling and conversing. It wasn’t at all like a traditional bar. Somehow, it just felt more welcoming,” she shared.
People go to Kava bars for lots of different reasons, mainly to relax, socialize, and find a sense of community. Bespeckled with everyone from grandmas to construction workers to college students, Kava bars provide a harmonious zone where people can enjoy the benefits of Kava: nature’s bounty of calm.
Kava as an Alternative to Alcohol
For those of you who have never experienced the ambiance of a Kava lounge or heard of one, you may be surprised to know how fast the trend is growing. As an alternative to the alcohol-based bar scene, Kava drinks are more relaxing and less intoxicating. Forget muddy memories and icky hangovers.
Since Kava is more natural and has far fewer side effects than alcohol, Kava bars draw diverse patronage. Just Google search for “Kava bar near me” and see what’s available! We did. And, we went. We can say firsthand that what our Kratom shoppers are reporting is totally true!
In the spirit of the Pacific islanders who created the Kava tonic and its traditions, Kava bars are popping up everywhere. Some have island-themed decor, and others capture the coffee-shop vibe. Mom-and-pops and franchises make this an attractive small business with a competitive edge. Each Kava bar is a little different, reflecting the owners’ desires and suiting the communities in which they are nestled. With or without palm trees and tropical aesthetics, Kava bars bring the “spirit” of island calm into our busy lives.
Kava Culture History
Kava comes from a plant in the pepper family called Piper methysticum. It has a peppery, earthy, and sometimes spicy or bitter flavor. The drink has a long history with Pacific islanders as a way to enhance ceremonial traditions and to generate a sense of social ease. Local men would gather in the Kava bars at dusk after a long day’s work to unwind and discuss important things.
In Polynesian culture, Kava root was also given as gifts to island visitors to “foster good relations,” as explained in one of the most notable handbooks on Kava, The Pacific Elixir. Kava was traded as a commodity as well.
Because Kava was primarily used by men in small ceremonies, it took some time and cultural shifts for Kava to begin showing up in the West. As these original Kava bars became more open to the community and trade with other countries became more Kava-centric, other countries began recreating similar establishments on their own turf.
See how Kava and Kratom compare.
What Is a Kava Bar?
Kava bars began showing up in Florida in the mid-nineties. Generosity and relaxed camaraderie are fertile soils for sharing, and so enjoying Kava and sharing it were synonymous. Nowadays, it’s not just the men who enjoy this relaxing pastime. Today’s Kava bars invite modern Kava drinkers to celebrate Kava culture in a modern way.
Kava drinkers no longer have to enjoy their craft only at home and may meet up with friends or co-workers at a local Kava bar. Kava bars, or Kava lounges, are especially popular in Florida (the “Kava Capital of the U.S.”), California, and North Carolina college hubs. Today, you can meet up with your friends at a Kava lounge and simply order a Kava drink.
If you’re not quite ready to hit up your local Kava bar hangout, try making your own Kava tea at home.
The Kava Experience | Benefits of Kava
Kava does not intoxicate you like alcohol does. This is one reason some of our Kats Botanicals staff have made these establishments a part of their social routine. We’re among many who are sick of traditional bars. Like you, we want relaxation and a good time that doesn’t slow us down. Naturally, Kava is gaining interest as a potential healthier alternative to alcoholic beverages.
Non-alcoholic drinks are available at regular bars, of course, but the vibe of a traditional bar is not for everyone. Plus, you don’t really have to impair cognitive function just to have a good time, right? Kava may be the perfect choice if you’re looking for a non-addictive social drink that’s still a good time.
From that first tingly sip, Kava eases your senses, melts away stress, and gives you a cozy, social ease like no other botanical does. This is due to the kavalactones Kava contains, providing a wide range of potential Kava benefits for your body and mind:
- Experience the tingly sensation of Kava
- Slip into a state of comfort and social ease
- Release the stresses of your day
- Feel the tension in your muscles melt away
- Tap into creative flow
- Get a restorative good night’s rest
So, grab a coconut bowl and sip that milky, pungent brew that imbues a more comfortable atmosphere.
What Do Kava Bars Serve?
Speaking of coconut bowls…what do they serve at Kava lounges? Are there alcoholic beverages, too? Food or snacks? Do they serve other Kratom products?
Mainly, they serve the star of the scene – Kava! There may be other botanical drinks, but likely no alcoholic beverages. There may be light snacks on the menu, but not a full menu of foods. This is for good reason:
- Kava and alcohol together aren’t a good idea.
- Kava works better on an empty stomach.
Spicy, earthy Kava bowls are served alongside botanical drinks of other sorts:
- CBD and THC drinks
- Kratom drinks
- Herbal teas
- Energy drinks
- Mushroom drinks
- Regular and craft sodas
- Yerba Mate
- Non-alcoholic mocktails
So Kava isn’t necessarily the only thing on the menu! The whole vibe is a menu all its own. You just go, partake, chill, and enjoy. (Best served with friends.)
What’s it Like Going to a Kava Bar?
Kava bars are all about a relaxing social experience where people can enjoy the positive effects of Kava and feel a sense of community. We talked to Coley Oh, the owner of Rooted Kava Lounge in Wilmington, NC. The bar’s Facebook bio boasts, “Exotic teas, good times, open mic. We celebrate love & diversity. Encourage study time, chill vibes.” (She had us at “chill vibes”!)
At Rooted, you’ll find walls of beautiful artwork and a relaxing ambiance that’s somewhere between a coffee shop, bar, and funky library, nestled in the heart of Wilmington, a port town near the coast of North Carolina. Locals and travelers alike visit there any day of the year to find calm, community, social stimulation, acceptance, and in many cases, friendships.
And, of course, a variety of Kava selections!
Each Kava bar is a little different. Like Rooted, many Kava bars have an online presence on Facebook or via their website, so previewing the type of atmosphere to expect is easy.
How to Find a Local Kava Bar
Find a local Kava bar like we did – good ‘ol Google searching. Here are a few ideas to kick off your search:
- Kava bar near me
- Kratom bar near me
- Kava lounge near me
- Where can I buy kava near me?
- Kava tea bar
Kava is legal in all fifty states, but if you plan to look for Kratom drinks there, check to be sure Kratom is legal in your area.
What to Expect at a Kava Bar
Here are a few samples of the stories we’ve heard directly from our Kava-loving family about the Kava bars they enjoy:
“I liked the laid-back atmosphere.”
“I thought my drink would be bitter, but it was kinda good. The people there were cool.”
“I don’t drink alcohol, and I hate going to bars with my friends. At the Kava bar, though, we’re all comfortable, and it’s still a fun time. Five big fat stars!”
“I was freaking out because they served Kratom drinks too!”
And Coley Oh shared a few things about her bar’s effects on the community: “I definitely never imagined that a place like Rooted would curate such a strong and loving community. Never in a million years could I have imagined the type of magic in the atmosphere that exists like it does at Rooted. Here, nobody is a stranger.”
Is a Kava Bar the Same as a Kratom Bar?
Today, Kava bars are frequently visited during the after-work and dusk-time hours, honoring the traditions of the original Vanuatu Kava establishments, called Nakamals. Nowadays, Kava bars branch out their menus to other botanical drinks that can influence your vibe. Because of this, you’ll see people call them by several names: Kava bar or lounge, Kratom bar or lounge, or simply “botanical” bars.
What separates each is their menu. Check the bar’s website to see if your favorite botanicals are served there and for a potential list of drink pricing.
Making Kava Drinks with Herbal Kava Root at Home
While we love visiting Kava bars in person, we don’t always have the time. Or, depending on where we are, there may not be a Kava bar nearby. We realize that consumers need a good supply of fresh Kava powder. Plus, Kava bar trips can be expensive. Having quality, affordable Kava at home is ideal.
This is why, in addition to over 45 different kinds of Kratom, we now offer a variety of Kava products. You need to buy really good kava if you want the best experience. Here are some premium, noble Kava products sure to transform your wind-down time and refresh your senses:
- Vanuatu Kava Powders
- Kats Blend Kava Powders
- Fiji Kava Powders
- Kratavfusion Kava + Kratom Shots
- Delicious Kava Gummies
- Kats Kava Extract Tinctures
Kats Botanicals is your one-stop hub for Kava, Kratom, CBD, and other life-enhancing botanicals. You can brew up your own Kava tea, listen to the ambient sounds of a real-life Kava bar, and relax on your own turf. (An outdoor hammock is not required but encouraged.)
Find Kava Powders Right Here at Kats!
So, what is a Kava bar? In short, it’s one way to enjoy Kava if you like being out and about. You can sit, chat, sip, and relax alone or with friends. Finding the plant-based power you need should be an easy and pleasant experience. Whether you socialize with other Kava-lovers at a trendy new Kava bar or relax at home.
That’s why we focus on providing top-quality herbal supplements for you. We sustainably harvest, expertly produce, and quality test it ALL.
Visit Kats Botanicals, pick out what you need, place your order, and then simply enjoy your wellness journey with products you can trust!
