We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Diet

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Kava Bar?

By R. Roberson
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 23,465
Share

Kava is a drink containing water mixed with the crushed root of a pepper plant found in the South Pacific. It traditionally is the only drink served at a kava bar, an establishment that typically tries to provide a relaxing environment for patrons to connect with one another on a spiritual level, similar to the way kava is used in South Pacific island ceremonies honoring marriages, births and deaths. Often served in coconut bowls, kava is alcohol-free, but it induces a feeling of sleepiness, a relaxation of the body and muscles and a heavy feeling on the tongue.

Bars and clubs provide a chance for social gatherings and a way to unwind during special occasions or after a long day. Over the years, variations on traditional bars have taken place, such as the evolution of coffee bars, sushi bars and kava bars. Many people believe the concept of the kava bar originated in Vanuatu, an island nation located in the South Pacific.

Patrons of all ages and backgrounds frequent kava bars, as there is no age limit requirement because alcohol is not served. Early kava bars consisted of a group of people gathering under a large shade tree or tin-roofed shed, but the modern, upscale kava bars strive for a tropical vibe designed to help customers feel as if they are lounging in a tiki hut in the South Pacific. Many kava bars play reggae and tribal music to add to the authenticity of the environment.

Kava bar patrons typically are encouraged not to drink alcohol after consuming a kava beverage, because of the relaxing effects of the drink. Kava bar menus sometimes include different types of kava, depending on potency and taste levels. There is difference between the beverages served in kava bars and the herbal supplements that are sold in health stores and websites and touted to ease anxiety, insomnia and stress levels. Kava supplements and extracts have varying levels of concentration and contain different additives. The kava used in bars is sold in its purest form.

The existence of kava bars is not without controversy. The United States Food and Drug Administration has warned drinkers of a possible link between kava consumption and liver failure, though studies that indicate possible liver toxicity have mostly been based on consuming the whole plant, rather than just the root, which is how kava was traditionally consumed. Kava bar owners often post signs warning that kava could affect a patron’s motor skills and ability to drive, and there have been instances of drivers arrested for being under the influence of kava.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-is-a-kava-bar.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.