Da Kine's Kava

So I had zero clue what kava even was before walking into Da Kines, but right away I was greeted by Cameron, and he couldn’t have been more chill and welcoming. He took the time to explain everything without making me feel dumb. The drinks were great and very relaxing! The outdoor area is super cool and was what initially drew me in. Good vibes and just a solid place to hang. What I loved most was how it felt like everyone already knew each other, but still made room for someone new, I didn’t feel like a stranger at all. Overall great experience. Thanks Da Kines!

This was my first time to a kava bar but it will not be my last! I tried delta 9, kava, and kratom. In the future Id like to isolate my libations to one type per visit so that I can know which substance produces what feelings, but whatever the combo was, I loved it and felt fantastic. I had a great discussion with a random couple I met and got some goodies from the attached smoke shop. There are a ton of cool gifts there. I loved the multiple outdoor seating areas. All were very inviting. I really liked this spot and I'd be a regular if I lived in the area. Def visit!

Never had Kava or visited a non alcoholic Kava bar previously. Stopped by to try the Indo Tea and also got a bottle of Hibiscus Lemonade to go. The Indo Tea was served in a bowl. It had bitter aftertaste but I actually don’t mind the flavor somehow. The Hibiscus Lemonade kava was less bitter and actually refreshing and tasted great. I definitely felt relaxed after drinking the kava.

We stopped by while on tour, pain in our chest, ink our skin, demons in our DMs… and I don’t usually leave reviews, but Dakines straight up cracked open my shadowy soul and poured some light in. Walked in half dead from the weight of it all… walked out feelin like maybe, just maybe, there’s hope. First off.. the vibe? Immaculate. The moment I stepped in, the energy was different. It’s like this place hugs your trauma, hands you a handcrafted mocktail, and tells you it’s gonna be okay. Speaking of mocktails…holy alchemy. These aren’t drinks, they’re potions brewed by low key wizards. Smooth, bold, layered with flavors I didn’t know existed. Every sip tastes like self discovery. Whoever made the menu, you got artistry in your blood. The community here… it’s real. No judgment. Just smiles, open hearts, and conversations that make you wanna feel things again. I’ve never had so many strangers root for me. You don’t find that in clubs or dark venues. This place ain’t just a bar, it’s a lighthouse for the lost. And the crew? Legends. Mia- calm, collected, like a Zen monk with a shaker. Jess — sharp, witty, makes you laugh when you didn’t even know you could. Elijah— the eye contact? Healing. The knowledge? Knowledgable. The energy? Peaceful chaos in the best way. Donya — from one poet to another, she got BARS. Speaks to your soul, mixes like a spiritual guide. Phoenix — fire in human form. Big presence, good heart, very funny and endearing. But yo, Cameron? Nah, Cameron’s different. That dude is a whole vibe. Service so on point you’d think he’s reading minds. But it’s the music taste that got me. Every track he dropped felt like it was curated for my broken past and brighter future. He painted the air with mood. Cameron, you’re the hero of my healing arc. Respect. Dakines changed me. I came in jaded, stayed for the drinks, and left wanting to write love songs instead of sad ones. If you’re reading this and you’re in a dark place pull up. Order something beautiful. Let this community remind you who you are.

This was my first time visiting Da Kine's Kava. My drink was refreshing; it was a little different, but I'll be back. I liked the outdoor seating, and the staff was nice.

If you haven’t been to Da Kine’s in Durham yet, stop what you’re doing (unless you’re operating heavy machinery, in which case, finish that first) and GET HERE. This place is an absolute vibe, and I don’t say that lightly. I’ve been to a lot of kava bars, but Da Kine’s is on another level—like, if there was a Michelin star for kava bars, this place would have three. Let’s start with the drinks. I don’t know what kind of sorcery they’re using back there, but the kava and mocktails here are straight-up art. I’m talking beautifully crafted, deliciously balanced, and somehow both refreshing and relaxing at the same time. You ever drink something so good you get emotional? Because I did. I had a moment. And I’m not ashamed. The staff? Absolute legends. Friendly, knowledgeable, and they somehow make you feel like you’ve been part of the family for years—even if it’s your first time. And speaking of staff, we need to talk about Cameron. This dude isn’t just a bartender; he’s a curator of vibes, a mixologist of moods, a DJ for the soul. His music taste? Impeccable. I walked in feeling kinda “meh” and walked out feeling like I’d just had a life-affirming cinematic montage. Whatever playlist he’s running, I need it in my daily life immediately. But the real magic of Da Kine’s? The community. This place isn’t just a bar; it’s a second home. A judgment-free, welcoming-as-heck, “you belong here” kind of space. Whether you’re a kava connoisseur or just kava-curious, everyone is greeted with warmth, conversation, and probably a laugh or two. It’s the kind of place where strangers become friends, and regulars become family. And let’s not forget the ambiance—this spot is gorgeous. Perfect lighting, cozy yet spacious, and designed for peak chill mode. I could write poetry about the seating arrangement alone. It’s that good. So if you’re looking for the best kava bar in North Carolina (or possibly the universe), Da Kine’s is THE SPOT. Five stars aren’t enough—I’d give it six if I could. Maybe even seven. But since that’s not an option, just trust me when I say: get yourself here, order something delicious, and let the magic of Da Kine’s do its thing.

The best kava bar in Durham! Decided to come here one night, after work, and ordered green kratom “Florida Style”. The tea was the perfect strength and kratom was of great quality. This place had an amazing vibe, great music, and very friendly staff. I live in St. Petersburg, Florida (known to have the most kava bars in the country) and I would rank this bar with some of the top kava bars in that area. Well done Da Kine’s! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Lovely community, amazing welcoming people. Cam, Jess, Elijah, and Mia are great and do their utmost to make sure you have a good experience

Just the cutest lil place! Attached dispensary, staffed by sweet and helpful femmes. Huge outdoor hangout areas, smoking area, full of people like myself so I felt at home. Tried Kratom tea for the first time and am buzzing! Just know it's bound to be an epic night now.

I didn't expect to be able to find kava in Durham, but here is a cozy kava spot! Kava's a non-alcoholic relaxing drink - if you haven't had it before just ask and they're happy to explain it to you or answer any questions! The kava itself is pretty bitter by itself, but they have a big selection of mocktails, and you can tailor the amount of kava in your drink. It's a small space, but comfortable to relax with friends!

This place is pretty cool! I have never tried kava before but it's very interesting and I'd recommend it! This place also has kombucha, even a kombucha on tap for a really good price! I would definitely recommend going just for that even if kava isn't your thing.

I absolutely love this place, it never disappoints. The community here is awesome, the environment and vibes inside and outside are amazing, the drinks are perfect, and all of the staff are absolutely wonderful! Recommended!!!

We loved this place. I'll be honest I thought we were going for champagne that was not the case. I appreciated the explanation from the owner I believe. I say that because of her passion. I got the Grab The Bull, so I'm feeling pretty good. I have been clinging my teeth recently from stress and I must say I feel very calm and at ease and noticing a change today in a short time. It's a great place to relax and unwind I highly recommend. Support local!

So I've been here a number of times over the past year, have friends here and really like the drinks, especially the sparkling kava and the rotational offerings. I can't usually handle the numbing of kava but their mocktails do a good job of making drinking it actually palatable. Da Kine's is a much needed alcohol alternative for Durham and those of us who don't drink alcohol, with generally great people and interesting drink offerings. Unfortunately for a place that tries so hard with its plants and its music and decor to cultivate mahalo vibes the energy as of late is noticeably different, the upper Management has been antagonistic, pouty and seemingly walks around looking for any little excuse to instigate conflict with the same customers and employees that help make the space, even over tiny issues. The fights cause far more damage to the business than they solve and you can even tell when someone is pacing around, just looking for the opportunity. On one occasion recently the Management started individually and publicly telling patrons he was no longer Mr. Nice Guy and that it was "gloves off" but couldn't articulate exactly what was even wrong, other than some vague sense that some people didn't move back chairs when they were done. Telling some people apparently that theres a group of people on the "inside" and others who are on the "outside". Just very othering language and weird to be telling patrons, especially in a place that prides itself on community. Everyone was a bit confused and more than one person has these stories.The whole thing felt kind of angsty and adolescent. Its not clear what caused the whole tough guy routine - with a floral backdrop no less! - but it at times seems like Management is lashing out unrelated personal frustrations onto the customers/employees and spending what must be unhealthy amounts of time pouring over and surveilling camera footage, an odd level of engagement for someone otherwise checked out of the business. Multiple people have mentioned having weird camera related incidents relating to the owner... It's a shame, Da Kine's/Plant Mamas is predominantly woman-operated and really runs with that, creating a space that at its best showcases that femininity and sisterhood in the most positive and uplifting ways, a lush dispensery/kava bar with knowledgable staff, creative Kava and Kratom drinks and a great overall vibe. But the energy, both personally and from what has been said by regulars/employees, over the past few months is not what it was and people have mentioned it feeling slightly persecutory and driven by petty power/control/emotional issues, even when the people who go there and work there are usually delightful and don't come there to watch a grown man pout at the bar like a kid. And no one seems to know why the attitude shift. Hopefully this goes away, it would be a tragedy to watch a place cannibalize everything its worked to build over the years, especially when there is no compelling reason for it to do so.

I was able to try this place from an offline discount that I received. It was such an interesting experience. They have a variety of cocktails, coffee, and a couple of CBD products. It's great that when you arrive you are offered a tasting of Kava as well as the bottled kava. The owner warned of the numbing of the tongue from the kava. Kava is supposed to have relaxing properties and I did feel a little more relaxed after having my kava cocktail. It's important to note that kava is a little bitter tasting but it wasn't so bad with what it was mixed with in the drinks. The location had great natural sunlight and had a minimalist feel to it. The service was fast and friendly and it seems that the owner really wants to educate you on the products. Overall it was a good experience and if I'm ever in the mood for something different like kava this is definitely where I will go!

Lovely, one of a kind place in Durham! Been a few times now and the staff are always friendly and the drinks always yummy (if you like kava !). Only reason this isn't 5 stars is because the parking is tough. Great option to have a chill afterno

My boyfriend and I tried Da Kine's Kava for the first time just the other day and we've already been back. The people there are super friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable. They answered all of our questions and walked us through all things Kava. My boyfriend works full time and is a full time student and is a ball of nerves at baseline. Since going back to school and burning the candle at both ends he is physically unable to relax. Kava had such a positive impact on him!! The first time he drank Kava was the first time I've seen him in a relaxed state in months. He said he felt at ease and that he didn't have to be running around trying to get everything done. This is life changing for him and for me since I worry about his stress levels all the time!! If you are stressed or simply just want to enjoy some Kava, check this place out!

This is the coolest place I've ever been to in this area! So happy to have found it :) The vibes are stellar and customer service is AMAZING!! Everybody that works here and frequents here is absolutely lovely and amazing. So happy to know about this place!! Amazing vibes!!!

This place is so cute! It's located next to Grub--for those who have gone there. The decorations are adorable. It makes you feel like you're on vacation a little. In addition, they have an outdoor sitting areas. I'm happy that I've tried Kava. I wouldn't be opposed to trying it again, but I don't think it's for my taste buds. They have coffees on the menu which I didn't try but looked adorable.

Loved this place! The owners were so knowledgeable on kava and were very patient in explaining it to me and my roommate

If you're looking for a spot in the Triangle with a good vibe and uniquely tasty drinks that'll help you relax and unwind without the adverse effects of alcohol and similar alternatives, this is it. I've been to DaKine's a couple times in the past week and will keep coming back for the drinks and the people. Zoey's past experience as a bartender at traditional bars keeps the mixed drink options refreshing in both senses. Brent's knowledge of the kava root is encyclopedic, both with respect to the differing strains available and their unique pharmacological effects. Together, they ensure you'll pick a drink you enjoy. (They do samples, too!) At time of writing, they offer three varieties of kava itself (Hawaiian, Fijian, and Solomon, in order of intensity) and about a dozen tasty mixtures and counting. All of the cocktails I've tried are great - Haleakala Sunrise (Guava Colada, which you also get bottled, plus strawberry drizzle) is a particular standout. Blue Oahu is great for drinking outside in the Durham heat. If you're not partial to the distinctive taste of kava itself, the mixture in Molokai Mud masks the flavor effectively. Highly recommended.

There's a lot of things to love about Da Kine's! Good people, tasty drinks, and chill vibes just to name a few! Zoey and Brent are super hospitable and have done an excellent job at creating a space that is friendly and inviting. Don't be intimated if you're not familiar with kava! They are great at explaining the menu and will make sure to hook you up with a tasty beverage. Oh also the space is great! They've got a ton of natural light and two big garage doors they often open up on nice days. Perfect atmosphere for hanging out or busting out some work!

I came to Da Kine's Kava and tried the Blue Oahu cocktail. I was surprised at how delicious it was! It was my first time trying kava and the owner's were so helpful explaining everything and offering samples! You definitely need to check this place out!!

I've visited Da Kine's twice so far, and I'm surprised that the opening was so recent because this business really has it together. The online ordering and curbside pick-up system works very well, and service is cheerful and just lovely. I haven't tried a kava cocktail yet, but can report that the plain kava is strong, surprisingly smooth, and soothing; the bottled ginger-beet juice is also delicious. I highly recommend Da Kine's, especially if you've never tried kava before or don't know anything about it - they will happily provide education, samples, and excellent customer service to ensure that your experience is great.

It's a pretty nice spot! It was my first time having Kava and the seating and décor in the place is nice to study in during the day!

Da'kines recently opened in the old Joe Van Gogh location. They serve an alcohol alternative drink called kava made from a root native to Hawaii. The kavalactones are supposed to be calming and anti-anxiety. I tried a few samples and you should too so you'll know what you're getting. I sampled the Fijian traditional kava and it tasted like straight root water I wasn't a fan. The bottled flavored drinks and kava cocktails were more my speed. I tried the Haleakala sunrise and all of the flavored bottled drinks except for the traditional since I already knew I wouldn't like it. My favorite was the guava colada. All of the drinks have a slight bitter after taste but this is most hidden in the guava colada. I did feel some mouth tingling and some slight relaxation. I don't think they are currently allowing customers inside but there's a small seating area beside the building if you can stand the NC heat.

Attentive, kind, and knowledgeable staff. Quality products in a pleasant environment.

The owner was awesome and drinks were delicious! Try it I promise you will not regret it! They let you go try samples so you know what you like!

This place is AMAZING! The bar is beautiful and clean, and the drinks are delicious! Zoey and Brent are kind and welcoming and are always available to answer questions about Kava (it's a great alternative to alcohol!) We immediately felt like family and have enjoyed the experience time and time again! Come check it out! You won't regret it!