Photo of a bowl of kava and two cups

Ohana: What You Need to Know about Colorado Springs’ Original Kava Bar

Photo of a bowl of kava and two cups

Colorado Springs is home to many unique and fun bars, restaurants coffee shops, and clubs. It is a large, spread out city with a sleepy suburban feel. If you are looking for an alternative to the typical bar scene, then Ohana Kava Bar is for you.

What is Kava?

In the South Pacific islands, there is a wide range of traditional cultures that have nurtured and cultivated a mildly psychoactive plant that is a member of the pepper family. Kava is typically drunk from water that has had kava powder strained into it. Users typically report a slight numbness in the lips and an earthy taste as they drink the beverage. Kava’s effects, depending on the strain (there are over 100) can include mild euphoria and relaxation without interfering with mental focus. Other effects can include sedation, mild loss of social inhibition, and relief of muscle aches and pains. It is for these reasons that Fjiians, Hawaiians, Tongans and various other cultures around the South Pacific used these plants not only ceremonially, but also medicinally.

The use of kava eventually spread to North America, with the first kava bars opening in South Florida. The modern use of kava now includes recreational use for those who are seeking a healthier and safer alternative to the pitfalls of alcohol consumption.

Come to Ohana!

Ohana Kava Bar is named after the Hawaiian word for “family” and has two locations, one on North Academy Boulevard, and the original location, which is near the corner and Boulder and Tejon streets in downtown Colorado Springs.

A wide range of products are on offer at Ohana. First and foremost, there is the most potent kava drink on the menu: The Kraken, named after the infamous mythological sea beast. The Kraken is roughly three times the strength of a single traditional shell and is recommended for beginners. Why would a kava bar recommend its strongest drink to newcomers? It is because of kava’s unique property known as reverse tolerance. Kava users typically report they need less of the drink over time to produce the same effect. That means if you have never had kava before, you will want something stronger to feel an effect the first time.

If you are a more experienced drinker, you can order single or double traditional shells. You can normally choose from several different strains of traditional kava at Ohana. The bartender (also affectionately known as a “kava slinger”) will be happy to answer any questions you may have the effects of each strain.

Another favorite at Ohana is kombucha tea. Kombucha is a fermented tea with trace amounts of alcohol in it. Providing a wide range of health benefits, kombucha is a good source of probiotics and antioxidants. Research has shown that drinking kombucha may help regulate type II diabetes, strengthen the immune system and lower cholesterol.

If you want to branch out even more there is also kratom you can drink. Kratom is a plant native to Southeast Asia, and depending on the strain, it can have euphoric, pain killing or energizing effects. Many former heroin and opioid addicts who are in recovery can successfully remain sober with the help of kratom.

Does this pique your interest? Then come down to Ohana Kava Bar, pull up a chair and drink some liquid relaxation.

To learn more, stop by the bar or explore ohanakavabar.com and use promo code "SHEATH" to save 5%


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