“Everything old is new again.” The lyrics by Barenaked Ladies aptly describe the revival of a centuries-old tradition of imbibing kava.
If you want to kick back and meet or make friends — but coffee shops and the attendant caffeine rush, and bars serving mind-numbing, speech-slurring alcohol, are stimulants you want to avoid, there is another option.
Local kava bars offer a chill experience in a convivial environment where you can get a buzz of sorts — at least a good head and body feel — that lasts several hours without impairing cognitive function.
Kava is a beverage made from a plant originating in the South Pacific islands. Kava, or Piper methysticum, translated as “intoxicating pepper” or “bitter root,” and kratom leaves, known as botanical teas, were used in ceremonial and social settings due to their mellow-mood-producing properties.
Natives of Fiji and elsewhere ground the dried kava root into a powder, mixed it with water and traditionally served it in a coconut shell, often with the Fijian greeting “Bula,” meaning hello or welcome.
The Naples Press spoke with a trio of local kava business owners, each of whom stressed the importance of educating consumers about the earthy-tasting brew.
Alchemist Kava
Ashley Giannone, owner of Alchemist Kava, opened in July 2023 and offered a primer on kava and kratom.
“Kava contains six kavalactones, active compounds that activate GABA receptors, promoting relaxation, improved mood, better sleep and relief from inflammation and anxiety,” Giannone said. “Kratom is from Southeast Asia and is used as an herbal remedy for pain relief, fatigue and ceremonial purposes. It is made by harvesting and brewing the plant’s leaves into a tea, either from crushed leaves or powder.
“There are three main kratom strains: the white vein is energizing, the green vein is mood-enhancing and the red vein is relaxing, all determined by the age of the plant when harvested. Kratom contains more than 40 alkaloids, with two primary ones that interact with opioid receptors in the brain to reduce cortisol levels, enhance mood and promote relaxation or energy, depending on the strain.”
During the day, the Kava bar strives to balance productivity and connection; it’s a laid-back space where people can work, study or hang out. Patrons range in age from 5 to 75, including parents and their children, golfers after a round on the course, students and working professionals. After 6 p.m., the vibe shifts to more of a community space with daily events that foster a sense of connection and involvement.
“My husband, Vincent, and I became kava enthusiasts in early 2017,” Giannone said. “We were originally into craft beer, but as full-time professionals pursuing our master’s degrees, we discovered kava bars were perfect to get work done while relaxing. The atmosphere and the ability to enjoy kava and other botanicals while staying focused resonated with us.”
The décor draws inspiration from the alchemy of the Middle Ages, blending Giannone’s passion for history with the bar’s identity.
“The logo features a kavalactone molecule, connecting the science of kava to the transformative nature of alchemy with drink names inspired by alchemical terms,” she said. “Art by locals adorns the walls, and long tables for work or gameplay are available. We brew kava ahead of time, and when a ‘Signature Elixir’ is ordered, our kava tenders prepare the drink like a craft cocktail, minus the booze, resulting in a unique, flavorful experience that mimics a cocktail with the benefits of botanicals.”
Alchemist Kava offers monthly events such as bingo, magic night, trivia, karaoke and an art club.
Naples Nectar Lab
Native Neapolitan Drew Gendron, founder and CEO of Naples Nectar Lab, was a business law major at the University of Miami. While playing sports, he suffered a ligament injury that would eventually lead to his opening Naples Nectar Lab in 2020. Gendron said that his business was the first to offer kava in Naples.
“While healing from my injury, I visited a kava bar and did schoolwork,” Gendron said. “It gave me a calming and relaxing effect, but the taste was not much more than the plant mixed with water. I thought offering a good-tasting kava would be a great option in Naples, which did not have much going on after midnight. The place would offer a safe, healthy and welcoming environment for socializing with non-alcoholic and non-sugary beverage options. I opened [it] as a space to unwind, connect and experience the unique benefits of natural plant-based drink.”
Today, Gendron operates two Naples locations and one in Fort Myers, and plans to open a fourth in Fort Lauderdale.
All ages are welcome, with a decidedly younger set after dark. In the style of Art Deco, Nectar Labs meets modern tradition with a South Pacific blend. Features including neon signs, surround sound and lighting that control the vibe share space with natural elements such as grass and butcher block.
“At Naples Nectar Lab, we take the safety of our patrons seriously,” Gendron said. “We source the kava from Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea and Fiji, where we import the Vanuatu strain. It is put through our kneading process, to which we add our own concoction to increase its effects. We make sure that when we receive shipments, they are lab-certified and clean, without diseases and at the right potency levels.”
Gendron also makes his “Kula” kava and kratom seltzers available in many convenience stores across Southwest Florida and online (kulacan.com).
Kava Luv Social Lounge
Savanah Martinez, director of marketing, said Kava Luv serves house-made cold brew, traditional tea and shell beverages.
“CEO and owner Michael Hamwey worked in the mortgage field and used to visit a local coffee bar in the area,” Martinez said. “He loved the kava concept, and when it became available, he jumped at the opportunity to assume operations. Since 2020, two locations have opened, the latest in March, with plans to open in Fort Myers.”
Kava Luv offers a modern bar ambiance with marble-topped counters and leather stools, earth tones, natural flooring and windows that open to the outdoors. Large modular couches, four television monitors and table space for video game consoles or workstations are available while sipping kava or teas.
“While kava comes in powdered form or extracts and shots, Kratom, the botanical teas, have different veins: white is energy, yellow is focus, green is euphoric and red is relaxing,” Martinez said. “Green is a good introductory strain and is well-balanced between them all, leaving you feeling focused, uplifted and sociable.
“Concoct your own drinks with 10 to 15 flavors and six or seven juice options. We brew everything in-house by specific temperature standards and carry traditional teas, cold brew and French press coffee. ‘Blissful Brew’ is prepackaged in our brand name for take-home use, and we have a brew machine available for purchase; we also sell growlers and cannabidiol.”
Alchemist Kava
Where: 4121 Tamiami Trail East, Naples
Hours: 8 a.m.-12 a.m. daily; 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. daily and 10 p.m.-12 a.m. weekdays, happy hour with buy one, get one
Pricing: $4-$13
Contact: alchemistkava.com or 239.900.1616
For daily event calendar: alchemistkava.com/events/
Naples Nectar Lab
Where: 2500 Tamiami Trail North, Unit 112, Naples (Plaza Walk Building)
Hours: 8 a.m.-2 a.m. daily
Where: 15495 Tamiami Trail, Unit 106, North Naples (Shoppes at Audubon Plaza)
Hours: 7 a.m.- 1 a.m. Monday-Thursday; 7 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday-Saturday
Contact: nectarlabkavabar.com or 888.786.6807; Instagram @nectarlab; Facebook @naplesnectarlab
Kava Luv Social Lounge
Where: 7550 Mission Hills Drive, Ste. 310, Naples (corner of Collier Blvd. and Vanderbilt Beach Road)
Where: 1575 Pine Ridge Road, Suite 5, Naples
Hours: 9 a.m.-1 a.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday-Saturday
Happy hour: 9 a.m.-11 a.m. and 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday; noon-3 p.m. and 10 p.m.-12 a.m. Saturdays, buy one, get one and $1 off shots; noon-3 p.m. Sundays, 50% off shots
Prices: $6 shots; $13 to $16 specialty drinks
Contact: kavaluv.com or 239.963.9133; pet-friendly
Events: 7 p.m. February 22 kava pong tournament, $15 buy-in with a cash prize; 7-10 p.m. March 5 Wellness Wednesday vendor market; 1575 Pine Ridge Road, Suite 5, Naples
This story was published in The Naples Press on Feb. 7
