For almost four years, Mitra 9 has marketed itself as the Budweiser of Kava, trying to make mainstream a growing trend of Kava-infused drinks that are said to help reduce anxiety.

Now, Mitra 9 is expanding with the launch of a Kava-themed bar.

Elevate Kava Social Lounge opened at University Village near Florida Gulf Coast University in Lee County. Located at 10952 Eagle Village Drive, unit 460 — next door to Mi Pueblito Paisa Restaurant, which serves Colombian cuisine — General Manager Caleb Warner hopes Kava continues to catch on.

Warner called Southwest Florida the Silicon Valley of Kava, as the Mitra 9 founders hail from Naples.

Warner also grew up in Southwest Florida, graduating from Estero High School in 2013 and FGCU with a degree in hospitality management in 2017.

Warner previously worked at Quail West and Colony Golf and Country Clubs but decided he wanted to focus on elevating the Elevate concept.

“So that’s what we were going for, is having an environment that looks and feels like a regular alcoholic bar, but incorporates Kava cocktails, for lack of a better term,” Warner said.

The original Elevate opened early 2023 in Maitland, about 30 minutes from Orlando. It has been a success, Warner said, doing about $80,000 per month in sales.

Warner said he expected the new location near FGCU to do about $100,000 per month in sales.

First-time Kava drinkers are often invited to participate in a Bula, which is a word from the native Fiji island language where the Kava extract originates.

“They use the term Bula, and that is like a cheers to good health,” Warner said. “And you know, kind of coming together as a community. So that’s something that we’ve done really well.”

Kava can be competitive, with about a dozen or so bars now in Southwest Florida, some of which are near the new Elevate location.

“So, we all kind of band together and try to collaborate on events and be more of a community than competitors,” Warner said.

In addition to the Kava on draft, Elevate also sells canned Mitra 9 with sparkling flavors, such as Orange Dreamsicle, Lemonade, Strawberry Watermelon and Coconut Lychee.

“Kava is known to be great for stress relief, anxiety relief and just really a great kind of social drink so it doesn’t have any intoxicating effects,” Warner said. “It’s safe to consume and drive home.”