Looking for kava near you? You have three easy options: a local kava bar for the social, traditional experience, a store that carries ready-to-drink kava seltzers, or an online order with in-store pickup or local delivery where available. If you want to check a CBD Kratom store, find a CBD Kratom store near you and call ahead to check what is in stock.
In This Guide
More people are looking for a night out that does not revolve around alcohol, and kava keeps coming up. This guide covers where to find kava, what to expect, and how to choose.
New to kava altogether? Read our guide to kava as an alcohol alternative, then come back here to find it locally.
What Is a Kava Bar?
Kava is a drink made from the root of the kava plant, a pepper family plant that has been part of social and ceremonial life across the Pacific Islands for centuries. In Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga and Samoa, sharing kava is a way to welcome guests, mark occasions and simply sit and talk.
A kava bar brings that tradition to a storefront. Instead of beer taps, there is a counter serving freshly mixed kava, usually poured into a coconut shell or small cup. You will often hear people say "bula" (a Fijian greeting) before they drink. The lighting is low, the music is easygoing, and the crowd tends to be a mix of regulars, students, and people who simply do not drink alcohol.
The kava bar scene has been growing, especially in Florida, North Carolina, New York and California, where you can find bars in college towns, beach towns and big-city neighborhoods. Many people describe the experience as relaxed and social, with conversation as the main event.
A single serving of kava at a kava bar, named for the coconut shell it is traditionally served in. Shell sizes and strength vary from bar to bar, so ask the bartender what you are getting.
One heads-up: traditional kava tastes earthy and peppery, and it can leave your lips and tongue slightly numb for a few minutes. That is normal, and many bars serve a fruit chaser.
Kava Bar vs Kava at Home
Both are good ways to try kava. The right pick depends on the night you want.
| Kava Bar | Kava at Home (Ready-to-Drink) | |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | Traditional kava mixed from ground root and water | A sealed, flavored kava seltzer |
| Taste | Earthy and peppery, often with a chaser | Familiar flavors like grapefruit or hops and orange |
| Setting | Social, with a bartender to guide you | Your couch, a dinner party, a game night |
| Knowing the amount | Varies by bar and by shell | Printed on the label |
| Where to find it | Kava bars, mostly in larger cities and college towns | Stores, online with pickup, or local delivery where available |
If there is no kava bar near you, or you would rather host than go out, ready-to-drink kava is the simplest way in. Our how to drink kava guide walks through both styles in more detail.
How to Shop Ready-to-Drink Kava
A few things to look for on the shelf:
- The amount on the label. Look for how much kava or kavalactones (the active compounds in kava root) are in each can. For example, No. 502 Kava Seltzer Paloma lists 100mg of kava per 16 oz can, and No. 505 Kava Seltzer Hops + Orange lists 150mg of kavalactones per can.
- Other ingredients. Some kava drinks include extra botanicals. No. 505, for example, also contains 300mg of ashwagandha per can. Read the full label so you know exactly what is inside.
- Alcohol-free. Kava seltzers are non-alcoholic, which is exactly why many people reach for them.
- A flavor you will enjoy. A familiar flavor makes the first try easier. Paloma is bright grapefruit; Hops + Orange is mild and crisp.
You can browse every option in our kava collection.
Find a CBD Kratom Store Near You
CBD Kratom has 55 stores, and our Doyens (in-store guides) are happy to answer questions about kava and our other non-alcoholic drinks and help you compare options.
Product selection varies by location and changes often, so it is a good idea to call ahead to check what is in stock before you make the trip.
Order Online for In-Store Pickup or Local Delivery
Want to skip the guesswork? Order online and choose how you want to get it:
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Pick your kava
Choose a 4-pack of No. 502 Paloma or No. 505 Hops + Orange from the kava collection. Single cans are listed for in-store pickup only.
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Choose pickup or local delivery
At checkout, select in-store pickup at a nearby CBD Kratom, or local delivery where it is available for your address.
Start Low, Go Slow
Whether you are at a kava bar or opening a can at home, start low and go slow. Sip slowly, and wait at least 30 minutes before having more so you know how kava affects you. Do not combine kava with alcohol, and do not drive if you feel any effects. If you are pregnant or nursing, have a liver condition, or take any medications, talk to your doctor before trying kava. Our guide Is Kava Safe? covers what the research says.
Shop This Guide
Our kava-only seltzers are an easy first step if there is no kava bar nearby, or if you would rather keep the night at home.
Bright grapefruit Paloma flavor, alcohol-free, with 100mg of kava per 16 oz can.
$38.00
Shop the 4-pack
Mild hops and orange flavor. Each 16 oz can lists 150mg of kavalactones and 300mg of ashwagandha.
$38.00
Shop the 4-packFrequently Asked Questions
Where can I find kava near me?
You can find kava at kava bars, at some specialty and natural food shops, and as ready-to-drink seltzers. To check a CBD Kratom store, use our store locator and call ahead to check what is in stock. You can also order kava seltzer 4-packs online for in-store pickup or local delivery where available.
What is the difference between a kava bar and kava at home?
A kava bar serves traditional kava (ground root mixed with water) in a social setting, usually by the shell. Kava at home usually means a ready-to-drink kava seltzer: a sealed can with the amount printed on the label, a flavor you already know, and no prep.
Is kava legal in the United States?
Yes. Kava is legal nationwide in the US. It is sold as a beverage, a powder, and in ready-to-drink cans.
Do CBD Kratom stores carry kava?
Selection varies by store and changes often, so we cannot promise any one location has kava on the shelf. Find a CBD Kratom store near you and call ahead to check what is in stock, or order online and choose in-store pickup.
Can I drink kava and alcohol together?
No. Do not combine kava with alcohol. Pick one or the other for the night, and do not drive if you feel any effects.
Sources & References
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Kava. NCCIH. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/kava
