KavaClub
KavaClub
by Fayeruz Regan 06.2024
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve seen the sensational headlines surrounding KavaClub in Richmond. For over a year, the drama wasn’t focused on KavaClub itself, but “the establishment” attempting to thwart its opening in the first place.
In a town where restaurants are hyped or suddenly shuttered on a weekly basis, you would think the KavaClub saga would get lost in the mix. But for enthusiasts excited to try Kava for the first time, Richmond’s buzziest story only fostered resentment toward The Virginia Department of Health. Without sufficient information to back their restrictions, or motivation to move the bureaucratic needle, they became the public face of the fun police.
For centuries, Kava has been a cornerstone of cultural ceremonies and social gatherings in the Pacific islands. A communal bowl is passed around, often in a coconut shell, and the whole experience is made to foster connection and community. Made from the ground root of the piper methysticum plant, Kava is known to produce a mildly euphoric effect, reducing stress and anxiety.
Kava is legal in the U.S., and when added to water to create a beverage, it’s classified as a “food additive” by the FDA. It’s neither a food nor an opiate, but the classification feels random.
Owner Fred Bryant did an impeccable job of making his establishment an experience. He starts with quality product. Their Kava is grown by a trusted farmer in Fiji, then sent to a certified lab to ensure the highest quality. Like anyone who hadn’t tried Kava before, I overcompensated by bringing my husband along and planning to take a Lyft home. When you enter the Main Street hot spot, you leave the world behind.
Usually when you walk into a bar, you’re hit by a wall of noise. Then depending on your age, gender, and how many bodies are crammed into the space, you strategize the fastest way to get the bartender’s attention. Then with drinks in hand, you find an optimal spot to scream over the din. In these scenarios, people can only feel so connected.
Since KavaClub serves Kava instead of alcohol, it was serene. The playlist emanated great vibes. The décor was tropical, but not Margaritaville; Polynesian, but not Tiki. It felt both contemporary and 1960s mod. There are roomy hammock-like chairs swinging from the ceiling, palm trees, and wavy corals and greens painted on the walls. A hot pink, neon sign reads “Bula!” which is the Fijian way of saying “cheers,” only with a deeper meaning: “to long life and good health.”
Because of the nebulous laws surrounding the consumption Kava in Virginia, it is served on its own. You can drink a shot straight from the coconut shell or chase it with a mocktail. I recommend the latter. Kava is earthy, but not in the delicious way a beet is. It’s more bland, so accompanying drinks heighten the whole experience. As we chatted at the bar, server Erika Cannon whipped up inventive, fresh mocktails that made everything feel celebratory. We ordered so many, it was a zesty blur of sliced jalapenos and glasses rimmed with Tajin. There was creamy coconut, lavender syrup, cinnamon horchata. For a place with such cache, we’re almost trained to expect aloof bartenders. But Erika, like owner Fred Bryant, was engaging, sharp as a tack, and proud of their product.
After about 20 minutes, tiny waves of relaxation trickled in. My shoulders dropped a couple of inches. I found myself gazing up at my husband adoringly as he spoke. My breathing got deeper and in general, I felt like everything was going to be okay. No small thing for a Palestinian these days. On a molecular level, Kava is wavy. In an homage to this, wavy, soft shapes are embedded in the design and branding of KavaClub. In turn, customers feel a little soft and wavy themselves. It was lovely, and I was still able to drive home.
Places like this are what makes Richmond Richmond. This should be on everyone’s bucket list. It’s a refuge for those who are sober, but want to enjoy a mocktail in a social setting. It’s a place for students to take the edge off while cramming for tests. It’s family-friendly, and there’s a great night scene, with live jazz on Thursday nights.
As we follow the trends of modern society, which tends to fragment people, this community-focused social club is fostering real connections. Perhaps that’s the most intoxicating part of all.