Hot Spot: Kavasutra Kava Bar
Kavasutra is not your typical bar or health food establishment. (Photo: Getty Images)
Kavasutra is not your typical bar. Sandwiched between a gluten-free bakery and an organic wellness store, this tiny establishment aims to please New York’s health-conscious crowd with Kava Juice, a simple mixture of ground dried Kava root and cold filtered water. Grown in the South Pacific Island, Kava has been consumed for centuries in religious and cultural ceremonies for its calming benefits.
The treatment
Unlike most brands that advertise their Kava-infused teas and supplements as a means to get a good night sleep, Kavasutra markets its elixir as a social lubricant. The reasoning? Reduced anxiety allows for higher sociability.
The lowdown
Today, with six locations throughout the US (four in Florida, one in Colorado, and one in New York), Kavasutra Kava Bar offers a variety of 15 drinks, including Kava shots and frozen Kava Piña Coladas. Non-addictive, low-calorie and gluten-free, Kava provides a healthier alternative to the traditional ways of taking the edge off.
Sound too good to be true? According to scientific studies, Kava does, in fact, relax the body yet stimulate the mind. How? Kavalactones, the active compounds in Kava, act on the cerebellum, the part of the brain that coordinates motor control, to relax the body. Simultaneously, these compounds inhibit the re-uptake of the stimulating chemical, noradrenaline, thus improving cognitive functions, such as attention, memory function and memory formation and consolidation. Bonus: Very few and mild adverse side effects, such as headaches and nausea, have been reported, and studies on Kava causing liver damage are inconclusive.
There are six locations throughout the United States. (Photo: Kavasutra Kava Bar)
The backdrop
Step inside Kavasutra and, almost immediately, you feel relaxed and at ease. Bright dreamy seascape paintings and soft reggae music help transport you miles away from the noise and stress of New York City.
The scoop
I settled in at the ten-seat bar and waited for the friendly bartender to walk me through the menu. I was encouraged to try the Ed Shell, a $13 concoction that’s designed for newcomers. Unlike drugs and alcohol, Kava has a reverse-tolerance effect, meaning with regular use, the body requires less in order to feel its effects. Typically, customers require one to two drinks to feel relaxed, but customers can consume as they wish, as there are no concerns of overdose.
I obliged and the bartender poured me a thick, murky brown liquid in a large bowl. I was relieved to learn that I must “chug and chill” aka consume the drink in one or two gulps, as decreed by ancient traditions. The grainy liquid is difficult to swallow but the pineapple garnish helps mask any lingering bitter and earthy after-taste – how I imagine muddy water would taste.
The taste isn’t necessarily delicious, but the aftereffect is strong. (Photo: Getty Images)
The result
After gulping it down, my body temperature rose and my mouth went numb I quickly regretted having tried this at noon, with a full day of chores ahead. Prompted by my panicked look, the bartender explained that Kava is a member of the pepper family and is commonly used in herbal medicine as a topical anesthetic, and assured me that these sensations are normal and only last momentarily. As the side effects dissipated, I was instantly reassured and felt incredibly relaxed.
While unregulated by the US government (yes, that means minors and pregnant women can consume Kava) I’d still recommend to drink responsibly. Personally, my body felt loose, as after a deep-tissue massage, yet my mind was clearheaded. I lingered at the bar for about an hour or so before heading out to complete my to-do list.
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