Nakava Kava Bar

There’s no where else like this. It’s like Cheers. Everything they make is amazing. It’s beautiful. And the people are passionate about what they do & take a vested interest in each & everyone of their customers. Always something special. From live music to fire twirling, & so muchmorw. when BTW music is not live their musical selection is awesome. One night a week irs movie night, for ex. Movies such as Anchor man, fight club, talladaga nights, grandmas boy, night at the roxberry. You always feel a part of the family. You inevitably make new friends ever time you’re there.

The new look is awesome, way cleaner looking and more inviting than the old place… the employees are super friendly. The kratom on tap is amazing too!

I’ve tried better kava in Cuba. This place is ass. Get some better s***, guys. Keep trying.

The Nak used to be warm and inviting refuge from the tasteless world of muggles. Now it is a muggle house… except not even muggles want to go there.

«THE LAST SHELL…»
There’s an old saying that is often ignored by even the most savvy businessperson …“if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.“
The magnificent fish tank: gone.
The warm and fuzzy rustic «island-​like» vibe: kaput.
The majority of loyal customers: buh bye.
The beloved owners who watched over Nakava like a child: ousted.
The new Nakava is an attempt at a chichi bar that sells kava (bula!) and, more interestingly, openly sells kratom-​infused drinks… uh oh.
Kratom is arguably illegal to sell as a pre-​made beverage due to its lack of FDA approval as a food additive and is also on the DEA drugs of concern list for 2015. Gaining speed and support, if HB 73 makes it through the Florida legislature and past the desk of Rick Scott, kratom will be illegal to even posses in Florida (a misdemeanor) and perhaps a devastating blow to this business and others.
Here is a link to the DEA publication and FDA announcement.
Overall, the recent changes appear to have triggered a revolt of sorts; many of the businesses’ fiercely loyal customers have apparently voted with their feet and largely sought greener pastures at Kavasutra in Lake Worth and the Purple Lotus in Delray, where the tropical mystique and lack of pretentiousness still welcome customers who prefer patchouli oil and drum circles to south beach polish and minimalism. This is one of those businesses that almost needs a rustic, angry «tiki-​god feel» and genuine coconut shells to feel authentic.
Admittedly, I’m not a huge kava fan. The mud-​like taste is tough to circumvent for many, and not everyone is a fan of the mouth-​numbing effect, but the people and overall atmosphere of the old Nakava were kitschy and priceless. It was hard to leave without a smile on your face, meeting someone new, or twanging away on a beat up guitar in the back room. The new version seems more sterile than inviting, and doesn’t make you feel like «taking a load off» as did it’s former incarnation. The photos say it all… the smiling faces and tiki hut inside are photos from the old version. The new sterile version looks like it an empty bar on Washington Ave. Like a great BBQ grill with years of black caramelized flavor built in, sometimes it’s best not to replace «old smokey» with the new Frigidaire stainless steel gas version. You’ll miss something special.
In Daytona Beach there is a legendary biker bar called Boot Hill. Yup, its dirty, skeezy and wildly popular. Having collapsed there on several occasions, I can attest to the fact that the ceiling is completely covered in bras and panties which have been stapled there over the past decades. I believe they even have a bra from Aileen Wuornos, the serial killer. If you so much as suggest cleaning the place up and taking down the undergarments, after they beat you senseless, your body will be dragged naked behind a 51 panhead up and down Orange Avenue. Some things, you just don’t fu*k with.
There have been rumors that «new» Nakava employees have attempted soliciting customers directly from inside other kava bars and giving out freebies hand over foot. Is that overly-​aggressive marketing or desperation to rebuild a customer base? You decide. If it’s true, one might predict that this kava bar, the first of its kind in North America, sadly, is down to its last shell. What in the «bula» were they thinking?

Nice people, helpful bartenders being that it was my first time drinking kava. Will be back due to the relaxed environment and people that work and hang out there

The best kava bar in south Florida, the bartenders are always on there game and warm and welcoming and helpful !

This is definitely the spot. I used to hang out at Nakava several times a week. The staff is great, girls are pretty. The manager is really cool and kind to new customers. The kava here is mellow and relaxing. Dope atmosphere and they have birthday parties and events all the time. The regulars are really chill people. All around a great place. Try it out if you’ve never been!

I love the Yogi brand kava tea so I wanted to give this place a try and see what it was all about. Well one things for sure, this is no Yogi tea. This is the real deal kava tea that tastes super bitter, and I had a hard time taking it down. This place is for the serious kava drinker unlike me, but it had a cool South Pacific vibe and very friendly patrons that made me feel welcome. It’s not really my cup of tea (lol), but try it you might like it.

Kava was good, but not a friendly place for outsiders.
A gent by the name of Carney bought me a Kava when I was there though, I got him one back.
I wish we got to talk to one of the owners. I think his name may have been Jeff. An Indian looking guy was leaving as we were there… but he was yelling at his staff and seemed stressed. The whole experience was dissatisfying esp. because I was trying to talk my friend into trying a new place besides Mystic… the Mystic in San Diego is awesome, the one in Miami is cool looking but not as nice (the kavatender wasn’t very talkative and was hoity if you asked me).

I come here every day, even though there are other kava bars closer to where I live. I’ve been to a lot of kava bars and Nakava’s product is by FAR the best I’ve had, it’s worth the drive for me (try the ‘chief’s’– it’s super strong). The bartenders are all really cool people. Lots of friendly regulars, too. Good place to unwind after a long day.

great spot to chill and drink kava kava in Boca with a distinctively non-​Boca vibe. Spacious, south pacific décor, comfortable seating, huge fish tank. Pitcher of black sand kava and 2 pineapples juices for $ 16. Would have preferred real pineapple, but the juice was fine as a chaser.

Great atmosphere! Very friendly staff as well !

couple bowls of black sand kava (stumbled on ladies night so 2 for 1), pretty much what I was looking for. dark chill atmosphere, unique spot to de-​stress

If you like Kava bars you should like Nakava. You won’t see the typical plastic Boca crowd here flashing their possessions. It draws more of the artsy unpretentious type. They sell hookahs now too. A ‘double’ Kava will cost you about $ 10.