Kava Social

Went to Kava Social last weekend for a quick kava after shopping at Beacon’s Closet. There is no “quick” with kava, and I ended up staying for almost 1 1/2 hours. I had the Tiramisu Orange Kava, and I was so relaxed. It was like my stress melted away. The comfortable couches helped matters. Kava is so good, and I don’t drink it nearly enough. I have got to come back here!

Such a welcoming, beautiful and chill place. Never heard about kava before, saw the sign on the street and checked the inside. The bartender immediately welcomed me asking if it was my first time and kindly explain all about kava and kratom, helping me decide which drink would be best for me. I hade the "mule". Absolutely delicious. So good I could have drank it all straight but instead I took the time to chill and enjoy the good vibes of the place (Loved the Playlist by the way). I enjoyed so much the experience that I stayed from 6pm to midnight! I will definitely come back 😊

I've been to this place numerous times. They have always impressed me with amazing drinks. Tonight i went with my brother and friends (who go here weekly). The drinks were awful and were not worth it. We have had a terrible experience and are contemplating returning to this establishment. They used to be the number one location.

Kava makes my mouth numb and makes my me relaxed. I was happy to find this spacious, clean Kava place just blocks from McCarren Park! I had the Piñakava smoothie, which is pineapple, mango, coconut and kava, also known as delicious and relaxing. Had to have a to go due to Covid restrictions, but the space looks super chill and relaxing. Took my smoothie to McCarren Park and enjoyed it... You should too

Chiiiiiillll space. Lots of comfy chairs, mood lighting, and vibey playlists. Stopped by on a Sunday and most folks were meeting for casual conversation or working on their laptops (free WiFi is a plus). Barista acknowledged us right away and helped us pick our drinks. Highly recommend the vegan chai!

I had an iced kratom drink, and worked on my laptop for a few hours. Very relaxing place to sit for a few hours, super friendly staff and beautiful murals and furniture. Will absolutely return here again

this place was cool & looked cool but it felt completely like a study lounge based on the crowd. and even late at night it didn’t switch up into a more bar/lounge. it remained study hall 😂. kava was strong & good though & bartender really nice. i thought the drinks were a little steep on price but i’m also not familiar w prices for kava, so i digress but the price wasn’t right for me ! 😅😅😅

Taking the energy of a coffee bar and the mood and vibe of a tea shop, Kava Social is however something else. Yes it does have coffee, and yes it does have teas, but what makes this a must visit is the eponymous Kava drinks. Kava, a bitter additive known for its relaxing calming effect, is here complemented with coffee, teas, or other ingredients to make absolutely unique drinks. Drinks that will leave your mouth slightly numb and leave you feeling a bit more relaxed and chill. Alternatively many of the drinks feature kratom with a stimulating effect that gives espresso a run for it’s money. Prices are a bit higher than your typical coffee shop but that’s to be expected with the number ingredients that since off these drinks feature. If you think that choosing better lattes and cappuccinos is tough, the wild differences between each of these drinks makes choosing coffees seem like a breeze. The staff is great and extremely helpful when deciding. Interior feels like a New Age music shop meets Scandinavian design though the pacific influences (where kava is sourced) comes through in the relaxing ocean blue hues. I want to file Kava Social under my hipster nonsense folder but it’s done with too much care and is far too interesting and novel to dismiss.

Randomly in willamsburg tonight and stopped in here. I have been to Fiji and had Kava there. This experience brought me back. Very nice service. I loved how people were studying in there or doing work on a Saturday night. Also playing in the background was this oddly satisfying video that was playing. I won't describe it you just have to go. See you again very soon!

The vibe at this kava bar sits somewhere between coffee shop and lounge, similar to the actual drink they're peddling. I seek out kava semi regularly as an alternative to alcohol, with the effects being most similar to CBD. It's subtle, but after downing a kava beverage I feel more chilled out and my muscles feel more relaxed. I don't particularly enjoy the earthy, gritty flavor or the numbing sensation on my tongue, but places like this that blend the kava with different flavors definitely make it more palatable, so I was excited to try their different "expressions" of this root based drink. The menu helpfully labels different drinks as being for newbies or expert level kava drinkers, which is great because many people have a reverse tolerance to the beverage, and will feel the effects more strongly the more they ingest it over time. It's common to not feel anything the first time you drink it. I naively chose an expert level drink because it had a coconut milk in it and sounded tasty. I tried one in a classic ed shell and a more unique mocktail that was made to taste like a White Russian, which was expertly made though really strong. I had to take breaks while drinking it because I felt the effects pretty immediately. My friends ordered kratom drinks, which almost all kava bars offer. Kratom and kava are both teas that produce some euphoric effects, but kratom is more of an upper than kava. The kratom slushie was particularly noteworthy and masked the flavor of the kratom well. Drinking alcohol at every social event is so built into our culture that there are few alternatives, and kava is helping to fill this void in the space. Whether you're looking for a place to work during the day or socialize at with a friend, the couches and bar table facilitate whatever type of outing you're going for. Just make sure you ask a lot of questions before trying any expert level drinks.

The lemon verbena drink (without kratom because I do not want mind-altering substances) I had was not delicious or tasty and for the cost, it likely should have been. The environment is definitely as described. It's a place where if you enjoy chaos and a loud bar setting, you could bring a laptop and work late at night. However, it smelled horribly of stank feet from all the people who had gone climbing and decided to air their shoes out on the floor (understandable) or [hanging off the] barstools (gross!). The server behind the bar refused to acknowledge me or take my order, a warning I should have heeded, and lacked the hygiene to be serving food or beverages to anyone. If the service is gonna be bad, at least make the beverage offerings good! Pick a struggle.

First off, in the four times I have visited, the place consistently smelled like a sweaty middle school locker room. It is humid and reeks of body spray and must. My partner is Afro-Latinx and does not feel welcome in this space. We are also a queer trans couple. The first time my partner and I came to this place, we were ignored by the first barista. She was packing up to finish her shift, which I understood. But she did not greet us or even look at us and when I attempted to ask her where to order, she turned her back. The other barista ignored us for about 15 minutes. The bar was long and some people were sitting, so I went to different spots where there was an opening to stand and try to get his attention. He glanced at us at one point, then resumed his conversation with his other customers. Before we were about to leave, he offered us a menu. When I asked about the amount of kava in the Blushing Bubbles drink, he said that the levels in the menu (the menu lists the various drinks with levels to represent one's level of tolerance to the kava) didn't matter and that he "considers everyone a rookie". If you're going to profit off of cultural appropriation, do not discriminate against your non-white customers in the same breath. The second time my partner and I went, the younger barista was having a loud transphobic conversation. She was commenting on trans women's bodies, unprompted. Naturally, being a trans person, I refused to tip her and simply walked out. The next time we visited, we refused to tip that same barista again, so she only filled my glass halfway and rolled her eyes when I asked her to fill my drink to the top. Maybe don't be a transphobe. The other customers aren't a bother, but the atmosphere is very gentrifier. There was one customer who commented very loudly "I can't harass a girl if she is coming on to me". He is a regular there, which makes you question the kind of environment that welcomes creepy men like that. Not all the cool drinks in the world can excuse the way they treat customers that are not cis and white. This space is only safe for white gentrifiers. The drinks are not worth the 20$ if they are being served with an attitude in a place where you are only welcome if you are white.

Extreme food poisoning to party of 5 from this store I returned with a party of 5 this Saturday on 5/1/21 after a positive experience the week before only for all of us to get extreme dizziness and nausea which lasted 2 days. It completely ruined our weekend as we were all sick from their drinks. We got there at 4:30PM and one of us left early at 6PM as he felt ill effects, and then the remaining 4 experienced strong nausea and dizziness around 11PM. I believe their Kratom extracts was the issue as all of us got drinks with Kratom in it. I strongly suggest management to review their drinks and hygiene and am extremely disappointed after having a great experience the week prior.

If you are local to Williamsburg OR NOT! This place is absolutely amazing. It is my Brooklyn Oasis. It has the best energy-the bartenders feel like friends and I have met so many incredible entrepreneurs and people in business. The drinks are also incredible! 10 out 10 recommend if you're looking for a place to hang, to work, or even relax.

Loved this place from the moment I came in and found out I had experienced kava all wrong the last (and first) time. Kava is a powdered drink made from a plant native to southern pacific islands like Fiji. It's similar to pepper. They have four different options of kava, the most potent being the super fine. It probably gets absorbed the quickest honestly. Kava also relaxes you without making you slump or lazy. The super fine however may temporarily cause this state of mind where you just chillax like there's no tomorrow. It tastes a little like dirt and gives your mouth/tongue a tingly feeling. After you've imbibed this you have a number of couch areas you can relax yourself on and watch either Bob Ross do his thang or a random assortment of "soothing" videos. Michelle helped us select our choice and also informed us of all the new options available including kratom, a south Asian stimulant, and the kava drinks that make kava tasty, recommending red velvet as an option for the future. I also got to take home kava so I can try to relax in the best place possible, my house!

The people who work there are so rude it's crazy. I never had an experience like this in the kava bars in Florida. There's a woman in her 50s who works there who is rude to everyone except for younger looking guys. Creepy. Drinks are expensive. It's like if a kava bar was stripped of its culture and replaced with gentrifier, fake vibes. 0/10. You're better off buying kava online and meeting people in other venues. I hope the other kava bars in NYC aren't like this place.

Kava Social is oppressive. Despite its branding, this space is not inclusive of all communities. I was not only branded as "disruptive" but was also told that people felt "unsafe" around me. Because I was given these subjective labels (and stereotyped), I was escorted out with barely a conversation. Never before have I been so disrespected. Me, a regular paying customer, was escorted out -- not even getting a chance to finish my drink. I personally feel that my basic human rights were ignored. So I've decided to write this review for my black community. If you're black and aren't prepared to face the realities of discrimination -- just stay away from this place.

Visited KS for the first time on a rainy Sunday evening and place was lively and great vibe. I loved then lounge atmosphere. The drinks are delicious and the staff very knowledgable. I look forward to my next visit and will bring friends.

Got drugged there (BY THE BARTENDER) from my Krank It Up drink. When I ordered, the bartender said it was supposed to be an energy drink. No disclosures on the menu about what was actually in it. They added too much Kratom, a dangerous hallucinogenic plant than can result in overdose. I told the bartender how I was feeling and she brushed it off very rudely. I projectile vomited and was very high (in a terrible way) for 8 hours. I was able to fully recover only 48 hours later. If you read other reviews, there are many people that experienced the exact same thing. Terrible malpractice and should be illegal for this to happen. I'm warning you now, do not go ever.

Great spot, staff are passionate and knowledgeable. I did a customer event here and it did not disappoint. The owner went above and beyond preparing the drink menus. She also introduced kava in very small amounts, so everyone who tasted had just the right amount of all the ingredients, everyone felt good, talkative, and inspired. My group was full of compliments afterwards. The menu is incredibly creative and delicious. If you're looking for something different, stimulating, and relaxing, this is it!

A regular at kava social and have made many friends since I started coming. I love hanging and playing chess. The drinks and people are great too!!

The drinks made all 3 of us ill. We were dizzy and extremely nauseous for hours afterwards. They should change their branding to be "wanna pay $20 for a drink that'll ruin your whole day?"

Do not go here unless you want an IV and trip to the hospital after. I visited yesterday and had one $20 kratom drink from the "calm" list. What an absolute disaster. I felt high as a kite (not in a good way), dizzy, anxious and nauseous. Went to dinner after and violently projectile vomited several times at the table. It didn't stop there. I had to call an Uber back to Manhattan because I was not in any state to take the subway. I felt extremely sedated and was unable to keep my eyes open during the ride. We were one minute away from my place and I had to make the driver pull over and I immediately started projectile vomiting (think the Exorcist) on the street with an onlooking crowd. The Uber driver was concerned but I told him not to wait. I stumbled home and felt so dizzy and dehydrated. All of this after one non alcoholic drink. I left the sober bar and was higher and sicker than any drug I've ever taken. Do not drive after. This place isn't regulated (and apparently neither is kratom after doing some research). They have really bad health score violations as well (picture included) so it's hard to determine if this was the kratom dose or sanitary condition. Still nauseous the morning after and feeling worse than any alcohol or drug hangover I've had. Off to get an IV. Avoid this place like the plague and read the other reviews.

It took me back to the days of my youth in Fiji. You will find the real-deal here and the staff is very knowledgable. Shout-out to Hayden who explained the menu in detail to me and helped me decide on exactly the experience I was looking for! Sat at the bar, comfortable and calm atmosphere with nice TV's/displays that show all sorts of beautiful natural life.

Okay so weed is legal and all now but sometimes you want an herbal escape from reality that doesn't include couch lock, munchies and complaining neighbors in your smokefree building. Enter kava and kratom. These two together on an emptyish stomach totally kill your appetite and give you a happy buzz for hours. No muss, no fuss and no smelling dank. Kava Social is a super chill New Age coffee shop much better to me than the frat house "shots, shots" vibe of the kava shops I have frequented in the city. Will be back often.

Taking the energy of a coffee bar and the mood and vibe of a tea shop, Kava Social is however something else. Yes it does have coffee, and yes it does have teas, but what makes this a must visit is the eponymous Kava drinks. Kava, a bitter additive known for its relaxing calming effect, is here complemented with coffee, teas, or other ingredients to make absolutely unique drinks. Drinks that will leave your mouth slightly numb and leave you feeling a bit more relaxed and chill. Alternatively many of the drinks feature kratom with a stimulating effect that gives espresso a run for it's money. Prices are a bit higher than your typical coffee shop but that's to be expected with the number ingredients that since off these drinks feature. If you think that choosing better lattes and cappuccinos is tough, the wild differences between each of these drinks makes choosing coffees seem like a breeze. The staff is great and extremely helpful when deciding. Interior feels like a New Age music shop meets Scandinavian design though the pacific influences (where kava is sourced) comes through in the relaxing ocean blue hues. I want to file Kava Social under my hipster nonsense folder but it's done with too much care and is far too interesting and novel to dismiss.

I'm a first timer but my experience was great. Nice spot to chill and get your kratom drinking on. Internet access and welcoming community.

Really disliked the attitude of the woman in the front, had to flag her down for water when others had water refilled regularly. She was markedly more friendly to others, wondering what the bias was Also, experienced nausea when I've had kava a few times without issues.

I am a big fan of Kava Social. I love the straight up kava options but when I want something more "fancy" I usually go for the Red Velvet or the White Russian. Soooo good. I much prefer the ingredients they use in their drinks to other kava spots. I miss being able to sit inside, such a great and relaxing ambiance, but I have been enjoying my kava to go. Highly recommended!

Cutest little place for when you want to hang with friends and sip on some delicious beverages. The decor is cozy/modern and generally has a calming vibe. Bathroom is clean and the service is super friendly.