Kava in Denver: A First-Timer's Guide

If you've been hearing about kava bars around Denver and wondering what actually happens inside one, this is for you. No jargon, no assumptions. Just what kava is, what to expect, and how to order your first shell without feeling lost.

What is kava?

Kava is a drink made from the root of Piper methysticum, a plant in the pepper family that grows across the Pacific Islands. In Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga, Samoa and Hawaii, people have been preparing it for centuries: the root is ground, mixed with water, strained, and shared.

It is not alcohol. Nothing is fermented or distilled. The compounds that give kava its effect are called kavalactones, and they come straight from the root.

What does kava feel like?

Most people describe kava as calming and sociable. The body relaxes, conversation comes a little easier, and the head stays clear. That's why it has traditionally been a drink for gathering: you sit, you talk, you pass the bowl.

Two things surprise first-timers:

• Your mouth will tingle. Kava slightly numbs the lips and tongue for a few minutes. It's normal and it fades.
• It can be subtle at first. Some people don't notice much from their first shell. Give it 15 minutes before you decide on a second.

What does kava taste like?

Earthy, a little peppery, and unlike anything else on a café menu. Some people love it immediately. Others treat it like a shot of espresso: more about the ritual than the flavor.

If earthy isn't your thing, flavored kava is a gentler way in. At BulaBula we pour a Vanilla Kava and a Chocolate Kava, both blended with protein for a creamier, sweeter shell.

How to order your first shell

Kava is traditionally served in a half coconut shell, which is why a serving is still called a shell. Ours are 10 oz.

1. Tell us it's your first time. We'll walk you through the menu.
2. Pick a kava. Our Waka Kava is made from Fijian waka root and is clean, bright and social, a good place to start. Van Kava, from Vanuatu root, is heavier, smoother and more deeply relaxing.
3. Say "Bula!" In Fiji it's customary to clap, say bula, and drink your shell in one go. You're welcome to sip instead. Nobody's checking.
4. Give it 15 minutes. Settle in and let it arrive.

You can see every kava we pour, with prices, on our menu, and read more on our kava page.

A few things to know before you drink

Kava has a long history, but it isn't for everyone.

• Don't mix kava with alcohol.
• Skip it if you're pregnant or nursing, have liver problems, or take medication. The FDA has advised that kava products have, in rare cases, been linked to serious liver injury. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements has a plain-language summary. If you're unsure, ask your doctor first.
• Don't drive if you feel drowsy. Kava can slow your reactions.
• You need to be 21 or older to order kava at BulaBula. Bring a valid ID.

Where to try kava near Denver

BulaBula is a kava bar and tea lounge at 195 S Union Blvd in Lakewood, just west of Denver. We're open 11am to midnight, seven days a week, and there's no alcohol anywhere on the menu.

Come by yourself or bring a friend, tell us you're new, and we'll take it from there. Plan your visit.