What is Kava and Three Places to Get it on Long Island

Used for thousands of years in the Pacific Islands as a medicine and for ritual purposes, Kava is now catching on here as a dietary supplement for anxiety, insomnia, and some other medical conditions. According to WebMD, “Kava is a beverage or extract made from the Piper methysticum plant. In the South Pacific, it’s a popular drink that is used in ceremonies for relaxation.”

You don’t have to travel too far to get a dose either. Right here on Long Island, Kava bars are starting to open up to serve elixirs and teas infused with a derivative of the plant’s root.

Kava drinkers say they get a sense of bliss from the concoctions, relaxed and euphoric. But, the taste is bitter. An alternative to alcohol, these spots are for people to socialize in a bar-like atmosphere but without the alcohol.

With the popularity growing nationwide, we expect more shops to begin serving Kava or dedicated Kava bars to open up soon. If you are a new Kava drinker or want to see what all the buzz is about, check out one of the places below.

Endless Summer Teahouse – Tea house serving a variety of Kava drinks. Location: 4217 Merrick Road, Massapequa.

Roots Kava Bar – Roots Kava Bar seats about 40 people and has five self-serving stations. Servers are called Kavatenders. Location: 250 E. Main Street, Port Jefferson, NY 11777, (631) 831-4887

Island Kava – Opened by a former professional MMA fighter and West Islip resident, this Kava bar was one of the first ever on Long Island. Location: 73 N Ocean Avenue, Patchogue.

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