Used for thousands of years in the Pacific Islands as a medicine and for ritual purposes, Kava is now catching on here as a dietary supplement for anxiety, insomnia, and some other medical conditions. According to WebMD, “Kava is a beverage or extract made from the Piper methysticum plant. In the South Pacific, it's a popular drink that is used in ceremonies for relaxation.”
You don’t have to travel too far to get a dose either. Right here on Long Island, Kava bars are starting to open up to serve elixirs and teas infused with a derivative of the plant’s root.
Kava drinkers say they get a sense of bliss from the concoctions, relaxed and euphoric. But, the taste is bitter. An alternative to alcohol, these spots are for people to socialize in a bar-like atmosphere but without the alcohol.
With the popularity growing nationwide, we expect more shops to begin serving Kava or dedicated Kava bars to open up soon. If you are a new Kava drinker or want to see what all the buzz is about, check out one of the places below.
Endless Summer Teahouse - Tea house serving a variety of Kava drinks. Location: 4217 Merrick Road, Massapequa.
Roots Kava Bar - Roots Kava Bar seats about 40 people and has five self-serving stations. Servers are called Kavatenders. Location: 250 E. Main Street, Port Jefferson, NY 11777, (631) 831-4887.
Island Kava - Opened by a former professional MMA fighter and West Islip resident, this Kava bar was one of the first ever on Long Island. Location: 73 N Ocean Avenue, Patchogue.