Root of Happiness

If this is your first time you HAVE to start with the cloud breaker one. Super strong and traditional. After this we tried some ginger mule kava drink the tender suggested — more of a drink to sip on and it was so good. Yes your mouth goes numb and it’s amazing. The relaxation «buzz» kicked in about ten minutes later and was perfect. Go here. Great kava and great vibes. BULA!

Giving this four stars because it looks nice when you walk in and they treated us really nicely. We didn’t have anything since we stayed only a short time but our friends did. They tried the Kava and said it was not very good. But I guess that’s how it’s supposed to taste. There are other things on the menu if you don’t want to drink Kava.

Root of happiness is a smooth lounge. The atmosphere is really relaxing, though I personally didn’t like that they allow people to vape indoors, because it messed with my ability to breathe clearly. Besides that, they unfortunately didn’t have the drink I wanted in stock that night, apparently the hot chocolate is very popular. I’ll have to try to get it another time. I settled for tea, which was served a little too hot, but manageable.
The taste of the yea was nice, light and palatable. I’d be willing to give this place another shot to improve my opinion, but for now I’ll leave it as «average.»

While I personally am not a huge fan of the taste of Kava, I loved the atmosphere and the attitude of the staff at «Root of Happiness» and have referred others to it many times since going there my first time.
The lighting is dim and the seating is bar style or booths along the walls. There is a giant chess set in one corner and, if you are brave enough to endure the rest of the restaurant giggling at you everytime you lose, there is also giant Jenga game made from blocks of cut 2’x4’ wood on a nearby coffee table with low bench seating in that area.
Drinks are averagely priced (Mine was roughly $ 7) but it is a small cost to experience a completely unique place right in our own backyard. I would definitely recommend and visit again in the future.

On 11/​12/​2015, I decided to come to this unknown place called, «Root of Happiness.» Root of Happiness is a special place where kava is made (originally from the Pacific islands), so you can relax your mind without the worries and anxieties all night long. As I entered, the atmosphere is very dark and laid back filled with various of social people who are trying to have fun from studying, projects, games (like Jenga), and music. The concept is very paradise feel with all the tikis and Hawaiian items that surrounds the whole room. The outdoor patio is not bad as I headed out farther from the front door.
The employees are doing alright as I welcomed there for the first time. No cons at all.
For the drinks, I ordered a special drink which Jackie F recommended me for a try. It’s called, the «Kavaojito.» As I slurped it, this kava/​mojito combo is totally notch the top! It’s very flavorful and elligant for that drink which kava and sugar combines into a happy drink! Such a good, relaxing Kavaojito.
There’s some good amount of parking spaces available both front and back, so you can park anywhere you want.
There’s also have a gift shop too which you can shop your favorite kava accessories and specialty items right thru your home.
In the end, Root of Happiness is the finest, and the most relaxing kava place that I’ve ever attended. Perfect for happy hour pleasures, and hanging out with your friends for a soothing mood. A well, worthy visit. My rating: 4 solid stars.

If you’re looking to abandon the bar scene and in need for something completely out of the ordinary, then I highly suggest you come to the «Root of Happiness». I will be the first to tell you that I’ve never drank Kava in my life; let alone even heard of it for that matter. And if it wasn’t for my close Unilocal buddies that have been here, I would probably still be left completely in the dark.
The question that comes to mind. What exactly IS kava? Basically to put it simple, it is a narcotic sedative drink derived from the Polynesian shrub of the pepper family, and a root which are used to make an intoxicating beverage. Its very hard to describe the flavor; it almost has an «earthy mud taste» while having that ground root taste to it. I was somewhat skeptical if it was even worth trying but my curiosity led to actually checking this place out.
I have to say, the location of the «Root of Happiness» was in a rather peculiar part of town. Located in a small strip-​mall on Zinfandel Dr. in Rancho Cordova, this is more what you would find in Midtown Sacramento or Curtis Park. I had made the decision in recommending this place to my fiancée and our friend. As it was a Saturday night, we were originally going to go to a bar so this place was a perfect alternative.
Once entering the establishment, you are greeted into a dark, tranquil Polynesian oasis. It almost feels as if you’ve stepped into a cavernous island that is a secret hideaway. You will find a large table complete with a Jenga game, plush leather seating, and dim-​lit lanterns that grace the darkness of its surroundings. Finally, there are several pictures that flow with the Tiki island theme throughout. The music flowed very well where you will hear lots of indie rock mixed with reggae. It was the perfect tempo for this type of atmosphere.
If you don’t wish to sit near the large table, there are several booths throughout the kava bar with leather benches. Additionally, there is an actual bar area that offer high bar stools where you can converse with the kava bartenders. And since the «Root of Happiness» does NOT serve alcohol, you will still find taps that replicate a place that would serve alcohol.
I had the opportunity of meeting the owner, Tyler who gave me an in-​depth tutorial about Kava and its potency. He recommended the selections of their low-​tide (4 oz.) and high-​tide (8 oz.) drinks as well as their specialty drinks. As I didn’t want to dive straight into Kava, I ordered their «TropiKava Smoothie» (for $ 9.00). This smoothie offers several blended organic fruits mixed in with their traditional Kava.
My smoothie is ready and after the first sip, I could definitely taste the bitterness of the Kava. It took a few more sips for me to enjoy it and within no time, I was pleasantly surprised how good this stuff was. I wanted to continue this experimentation and ordered a small 4 oz. «Low Tide» drink (for $ 4.00). This was the real deal and it came out in a small bowl while it was rather lukewarm. This is where I could feel the slight numbness in the back of my tongue but unlike alcohol, my senses were clear as a bell. It gives you a slight euphoric feeling without feeling disoriented. Additionally, as an added bonus, the owner gives both my friend and I small sample of flavored «Tincture». This had a pasty look to it and once placed below your tongue, you could feel that numbness kicking in full swing.
My overall experience of the «Root of Happiness» was an exceptional one. It is the perfect relaxing atmosphere if you wish to avoid the loud bar scene. Not to mention, the effects of the Kava won’t give you a nasty hangover that alcohol can cause. There are several other options that I wish to try in the near future. Thank you to Tyler and the staff at the «Root of Happiness» for making my Kava-​drinking experience a positive one!

Never had Kava before and wasn’t quite sure what to expect but I loved the set up very chill and relaxing. I had a great time cant wait to go back with a group of friends

What a different place.
I came to Root of Happiness on a weekday evening after work to unwind with a few nonalcoholic beverages since I was trying to detox myself from alcohol for a while.
The interior of the business is very relaxing, with low lighting, nice décor, clean environment with a lot of comfy seats. I especially liked sitting at the bar because of the height of the bar it made me feel short (which at 5’8″ doesn’t happen too often) but I liked it.
I really did like their kava. I have never had kava before so I have nothing to compare it to, but it was quite good. I ordered their Kavajito which was a spin on a mojito but instead of alcohol it had kava. It was good and sweet and a nice introduction to kava. My second drink was just a bowl of basic kava which was nice too, but a little harder to drink. My tongue never went numb like other reviewers have described, but I did feel slightly more relaxed. Not tired though.
The only thing I didn’t like about the place was I seemed to be one of the three oldest people there for most of my stay. I have a 19 year old Stepdaughter so most of the time I felt like I was hanging out in someone’s basement with a bunch of her friends. Not really my thing but somehow I don’t think I’m their target audience.
What was also off putting was that most of the clientele in the place seemed to be high. Or smoking hookah. Or homeless. When I went to the bathroom (which is located by the back door) I could see people smoking and loitering by what I assumed to be their cars in the back parking lot. Never an indicator of anything good. And I’m sure they weren’t just drinking kava.
I’m giving it 4 stars for what it is; they have good kava and the place is decorated and kept up nicely. If I was rating it on the clientele, my rating would be closer to 2 – 3 stars. They could really improve the experience (and attract more profitable clientele) by taking a less laissez faire approach to what goes on in and around their business.
To each their own I guess.

«Please, hold my hand (not literally) through this adventure into the unknown.»
That’s what I was thinking and how I felt when it was decided this would be a stop on this evening of unknown outing stops. I’ve had Root of Happiness bookmarked and shared with a few friends that it was something I wanted to try. I found it originally when searching Unilocal for kombucha and then found out about this ‘thing’ called kava. I Googled «kava» and, after mentioning my desire to partake, suddenly had a minor concern — perhaps I might have an adverse reaction, heart palpitations, or even a heart attack or stroke. I read words like «sedative» and «anesthetic properties.»
OMG. if there ever was, this was over reacting!
The atmosphere and décor inside can be described as Tahitian and/​or Fijian. There are a few booths opposite the bar, the bar (obviously), a couple banquette by the door, and an area of loveseat and cozy chairs around a mini-​giant Jenga. There’s also an outdoor area in back. Dim general lighting and colorful lighting elements are easy on the sensitive eyes you may experience. Music plays in the background and on this beach party night, it was beachy tunes.
My beverage of choice (recommended by my tender after explaining I had no idea what I was doing) was the basic of brews. With a murky color, the taste is slightly pungent, perhaps a bit bitter, with a distinctive aroma (and dependent on your choice of flavor or fruit, if any) — my choice of plain straight up brew was served in a tea bowl. Somewhat like a Fijian drink called grog (I read that somewhere, I’m not really that edumacated).
Other than experiencing a numbing affect of my tongue, I’m having difficulty finding the correct words to use to describe the experience and effect. Instead, I’ve inserted a couple excerpts from Wikipedia:
«…sedating … (relaxing and calming) without disrupting mental clarity»
«…reduction of the inhibitory … elevation of dopamine levels…»
(the latter definitely not words I would have come up with without assistance)
Would I come here again? Hell yes. Would I suggest to friends that this experience was, for the most part, fun and harmless? Hell yes. Like anything, do your own research if you have concerns and don’t over indulge.
PS — I never had the Kombucha I was originally seeking…

this is a cool place to hang out. very nice and relaxing place. clean. Has a out door seating as well this place is really great the only reason I gave it a 4 star is because whatever they’re serving is either bath water or something els i cant imagine.. I hope at least they read this review and start serving something else besides the bath water like maybe a soda or water or something where people can stay hydrated and And enjoy this place if we choose not to drink the «tea»… first time I was here they had some pizza which was really awesome I like it they don’t make it themselves but they order for their customers
Please start serving some water soda juice or anything that is not just tea (kava)

I love this place hence the 5 starsl

Been going here for the past year already. Finally time to leave a little review. One word… Amazing!
Amazing service, amazing environment to be around at (especially if you just want to get your mind of things, relax, and connect with new people, and amazing drinks. I recommend the green joy which is basically the kratum tea with a little boost to help you relax a little more. Or go for the sledgehammer… If you want to be extreme grab a punch :)
Also 2 thumbs up for my man Danny. If he’s working, he’s the man to go to.

Very friendly bartenders and. The owner, an ethnobiologist often personally chat’swith visitors.
The vibe here is very chill and calm unlike other coffee shops.
A bowl of kava is really calming. Xanax in a coconut shell.
The interior design here is awesome as well. I always feel like I’m in a Euro Lounge mysteriously put in the middle of Fiji.
I won’t deduct a star yet, but the cigarette smokers inside can be a drag if you aren’t’ a smoker.
I would seriously suggest that the owners gently move the smokers to the nice outdoor patio in back.

Came in when it first open and a guy named Jacob greeted us right away, I didn’t even see him but from that moment I knew I was going to have a good experience and let me tell you it was beyond anything I’ve expected.
I first ordered a Kava Kolada it was a little hard to drink at first, but I got used to the taste after a while.
While chatting with Jacob, he began sharing some stories and let us try a few things since it was our first time. This place truly deserves 6 star the customer service was just beyond friendly it felt more like home.
Can’t wait to come back!

This place is like my second home. Tyler and Travis have created such a phenomenal atmosphere for people come relax and enjoy something that you won’t find anywhere else. Kava is such an amazing relaxing drink, it brings friends and strangers together for a good time. The «bartenders» are very friendly and knowledgeable, and also great conversation when they’re not too busy.
The best part is the bar feel with out all the drunk A holes. Highly recommend to anyone looking to have a good time or get away from the drinking scene. Kava life always good

The best part of Root of Happiness is that they serve kava, because there’s not a lot of competition.
It’s a funny location, inside a strip mall. The staff and owner seem like they are trying to work out the kinks in making a chill place to relax and drink kava. They fail just a little bit in some details (eg., what’s with the you tube fail videos)… but overall a nice place to hang out with a friend when you don’t want to hit up a bar.
Not so sure about the kava drops to go. Maybe they go bad after a while? Maybe one needs to include several dropper-​fulls? Maybe there’s more to it but I was not told?

Let’s begin in the middle.
Some hot guy (aka our server) gets down on one knee in front of the table and says, «So, if you really enjoyed your experience, we’d appreciate it if you let people know on Facebook or Unilocal or FourSquare.»
I really f’n hate it when men get down on one knee for any reason that is not a marriage proposal. It’s cruel to get my hopes up like that. So of course I had to mess with him a little bit.
«What is Unilocal?»
«Oh, I think it’s like, a website where you can rate restaurants.»
«What do you mean?»
(This went on. I’ll spare you.)
Anyways. I’ve been wanting to try kava ever since there was a UYE here that I wasn’t able to get to. You know how things are so much more appealing when you can’t have them? Yeah. That.
We got here during happy hour, which means that the Sledgehammer, which is apparently the strongest kava drink, was on sale for $ 5 (regularly $ 8). I had two, and then waited to feel something, but I felt nothing. I mean, maybe I was feeling the music a little more than normal (kind of a techno/​dance vibe), but I didn’t feel sleepy, or relaxed, like my friend did.
As we were about to leave, I reported this to the server, who brought us each a kava shot on the house. I held it under my tongue for a few minutes, and still, nothing.
I’m starting to get a bit concerned that my friend won’t be able to drive if we continue to consume kava, but the server really did not want us to leave, because we were seriously the only people there over the age of 18 (incidentally, also the reason that I did want to leave, I do not like being the only one present who is not wearing a crop top, tyvm…) so he brought out some kava paste, and we stuck that under our tongues, too.
At this point, I got what I can only describe as a flash of drunkenness without being drunk. For the next hour or two, I felt a bit giddy, and laughed a lot, and had a bit of trouble coordinating my lips and mouth, but was pretty normal other than that.
So, I’m somewhat convinced that the kava buzz is psychological, but considering that it’s supposed to have a reverse tolerance, I might be willing to try it again. Other than the influx of teenagers, I actually really liked the ambiance, especially when the lights got turned down really low after about 11pm.
Bonus points because it was reported to me that there was a Ninja Turtles poster in the restroom that said, «Don’t do drugs, do pizza.»

Not sure if it was the Kava or the Jenga, but I see why this place is called Root of Happiness!
I had never tried Kava, nor had I heard of it so when Jim A. put together the UYE at this spot I knew I had to check it out. Naturally, the first thing I did was read the reviews which then made me want to google the stuff. Michelangelo’s description is, as always, accurate and well informed. I was definitely intrigued.
I arrived a little early to scope the place out. It’s not in a location one would expect for any type of bar, kava or otherwise, but that may be part of it’s charm. I walked up to the bar and was greeted by one of the co-​owners Travis. He introduced himself, asked my name and went on to explain what they offered and a few recommendations on how to start, being a kava virgin and all. He gave me a sample, I’m assuming to make sure I could hang. It was better than I expected. The best description of the taste I could come up with is the way it smells on a country dirt road after a fresh rain. Surprisingly refreshing and earthy. I ordered the sledgehammer with chocolate and coconut flavoring to calm down the flavor of the kava. It was interesting. I think I prefer the kava straight.
Once I started sipping on this elixir I noticed the numbness he explained. It felt like an antiseptic spray. I can see why this stuff is used to help sooth a sore throat. As for the effects, I don’t think I drank enough to get the full effect, but I did feel an overall sense of relaxation and calmness.
The atmosphere of this place is very chill. Dim lighting, comfy booths, bar stools and comfy seats near the door with the large size chess board, books and HUGE JENGA PIECES?!
JENGA! Yes, the large size Jenga set is quite possibly the coolest bar toy ever!
Overall — I love this place! I do wish it was closer to, well, anything. I would definitely be here more often. BUT — it is definitely worth a drive once in a while to relax with some kava and maybe play a game of Jenga!

Nice Chill Spot & Something Completely Different
SITREP
So maybe you’re not into coffee per se, but you still enjoy the chill vibe of a place where you can relax, chat with friends, enjoy some games, without the incessant *oonze oonze oonze* electronica with heavy bass pounding in your ear and forcing you to shout to your friends to get heard.
Well, you’re in luck, and THIS is your place…
THE SETUP
First off, if you are off the grid more in central Sacramento, close to Rancho and Fair Oaks, you are REALLY in luck, because The Root of Happiness is a Kava Bar that is right in your hood off of Sunrise Blvd on Zinfandel.
WHAT IS KAVA?
Kava is a delicious non-​caffeinated non-​alcohol beverage alternative to drinks like coffee and alcohol. Kava Bars really cater to people who want to enjoy more of a rich Pacific Islander tradition of culture that promotes the Kava drink.
KAVA TRADITIONS
In the Pacific Islands such as Fiji and Hawaii, Kava is part of the fabric of life and is drunk day or night, at home or in social centers. When drinking Kava, it is a form welcome and factors into important social & political events. Both genders drink kava, with women usually drinking more of it. In Fiji, part of this communal aspect is its role in conflict resolution, functioning as a peace pipe between quarrelling groups
ROOT OF HAPPINESS
Well, I’m not sure «World Peace» will be achieved at «The Root of Happiness» Kava Bar on Zinfandel. But it sure provides tasty drinks — different Kava blends, and a delicious Mango juice/​tea– and they have board games, and they have a GIANT JENGA set! And lots of comfortable couches and chairs.
**CAUTION**
Unlike caffeine, do not drink too much Kava. To be quite blunt, it has an almost narcotic effect that may impair your driving. So friendly FYI.
Even more so, don’t drink Kava with alcohol — the mix is very problematic: that’s a double whammy you don’t want to have to explain to law enforcement if you get pulled over.
Imbibe in moderation. Imbibe in moderation. IMBIBE IN MODERATION ONLY.
***PSA ENDED** :D
THE LOWDOWN
Root of Happiness is a great place, creating a fun chill environment to relax and decompress. Enjoy!
P. S. The Survey Question asks if it «Has TV» — HELL NO!

I enjoy trying new and different places. The first time I had heard about the «Root of Happiness» was after reading Tiffany K’s review. Since then, I had kept it in the back of my mind and mentally book marked it as a «must try.» Then when Unilocal friend Jim A. posted a UYE at this place, well, Joe K & I just had to set aside some time to make it out here!
It’s a bit of a drive from where we live, but turned out to be well worth the trip! When we first arrived, I noticed that the entrance was pretty unassuming; kind of like going to a dive bar in a strip mall. The windows were tinted almost black, so the place looked closed, except for the fluorescent «open» sign out front. But as soon as we opened the door, I could see that the interior was quite attractive, cozy, and well thought out in how it was decorated in an island/​Polynesian theme. The back ground music was sort of a mixture of new age and dance club. Not that relaxing, but stimulating in an up beat way.
As we walked in, we were warmly greeted by the friendly owner who introduced himself and shook our hands! He asked if this was our first time here, which it was, and proceeded to explain the concept of what this interesting lounge revolves around — the kava kava root!
Instead of the usual bar scene, this distinctly new business offers a place to hang out, meet friends and enjoy stimulating beverages invoking alertness, yet relaxation with possibly feelings of euphoria. While Kava is the star here, there are also a number of unique teas such as Kombocha, kava pastes, coffees and hot chocolate. The owner recommended trying «The Sledgehammer» as a beginners drink as a way of getting used to it’s taste and effects. For $ 9.00, it is served in a bowl that looked a lot like miso soup, but the flavor was very different. I found it to be an acquired taste and hard to describe. After that first sip, I felt a mild numbing sensation on my tongue and throat. Followed by a feeling of mellowness that actually alleviated some of the stress I was carrying from a long day at work.
Besides the two flat screen TV’s over the bar area, there are also games like giant chess, giant Jenga, cards and even some musical instruments to keep any active minds stimulated and amused. Otherwise, just sit back and relax in one of the bar stools, booths, or comfy sofas as our fellow Unilocalers all enjoyed.
Joe and I were really impressed with this place, and plan to return very soon! A big thank you goes out to Jim A, for planning this event and introducing us to the ways of the kava!