Kava Culture Kava Bar

BY MAGGIE OLIVE KLEIN

KONKLIFE WRITER AND EDITOR

We’ve got a new and exciting addition to our community! Located at 901 Fleming Street, Kava Culture Kava Bar recently opened on May 20th, and it is an untraditional bar that you’ve got to check out. 

The idea for the botanical tea bar was originally launched in October of 2017, when the first location was opened in Bonita Springs by sisters Caroline and Jacqueline Rusher. Flash forward to today, there are nine open locations, with the most recent being here in Key West! According to their website, kavaculture.com, the welcome page says, “We serve the finest all natural Kava and Elixrs for everyday life to combat the stressors of our modern urban lifestyles. We want to bring you back to a simpler time, an honor to our tribal ancestors, where community and home means connection.” So, what exactly is Kava? 

Kava is a crop from the Pacific Islands that is used to create a root drink, commonly known for its sociability amongst consumers. When asked about its specific role at Kava Culture, Jacqueline Rusher states, “We are putting a modern spin on a traditional root. It is put in a bag and squeezed with love, and from that we create a brewed drink. The resulting beverages are more palatable for those that wouldn’t necessarily opt for something so earthy. It is a bridge between traditional and modern.” The Rusher sisters crafted a community based business with their Kava bars, placing emphasis on the role of locals within their practice for each existing location. The significance of the Kava roots ability to break the barrier between shyness and sociability is something that really enables connections to be made. 

Jacqueline mentions the individual locations’ triumphs in helping their locals with, “The most important part of each place is having the community rooted in it. We hold community events that are open to young artists, musicians and writers, and have helped a lot of them kick start their businesses by giving them a spot where aspiring individuals can get recognition. Especially with COVID, people want a space where they can socialize with others, and not necessarily have to suffer from a hangover after the fact.” The menu of the bar is crafted to suit customers, with different options for different desires. The menu allows customers to pick a drink based on the feeling they want to achieve, including joy, relax, energy, stamina, and social. The versatility of the drinks is something unique to Kava Culture, and a very fresh and modern addition to Key West!

The sisters have had a really rewarding time with all of the work they have put in, and have been able to create relationships with so many people from staff to locals. When asked about her favorite place she has been for business, Jacqueline says, “So far, Key West is my favorite. I don’t want to leave! Usually I stay at a new location for a few days, but I have already been here for three weeks, and I don’t want to leave!” But, are we surprised? No. So, if you’re interested in checking out the new Kava Bar here in Key West, head over. We promise you won’t be disappointed!

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