Kava for Beginners: What to Expect on Your First Visit

Walking into a kava bar for the first time is easy and low-pressure. Tell the server, a "kavatender," that it is your first time and they will recommend a beginner-friendly drink, usually a smooth traditional blend, a flavored kava soda, or a small extract shot. Start with one serving, sip it slowly, expect a brief tingling on your lips, and give it 15 to 30 minutes to feel a calm, clear-headed relaxation. Do not drink on a totally empty stomach, hydrate, and never mix kava with alcohol. That is genuinely all there is to it.

First, a quick refresher

Kava is an alcohol-free drink made from the root of the kava plant that has been enjoyed in the South Pacific for thousands of years. It relaxes your body and eases tension while keeping your mind clear, like the calm of a drink without the alcohol or the hangover. New to the whole concept? Start with what is kava and our guide to kava effects and benefits.

What a kava bar actually feels like

Forget the loud, boozy bar image. A kava bar is closer to a relaxed, social coffee shop that happens to serve calming drinks instead of caffeine and alcohol. Expect:

• A chill, welcoming vibe with comfortable seating, conversation, and often games, trivia, karaoke, or live music.
• Zero alcohol pressure, because everyone is there for the same alcohol-free experience.
• Friendly, knowledgeable staff who genuinely enjoy introducing newcomers to kava.
• An adults crowd of 18 and older, from sober and sober-curious folks to athletes, students, dates, and groups of friends.

At Kava Works we lean into that with two relaxed Colorado Springs lounges and nightly programming. Check the events calendar to time your visit with trivia or live music.

Your first visit, step by step

• Tell them it is your first time. Just say it. "It is my first time, what do you recommend?" instantly puts a great kavatender to work for you.
• Pick a beginner-friendly drink. Good first orders are a smooth traditional blend like a Fiji Blend, a flavored kava soda or nitro tea if you are unsure about the earthy taste, or a small extract shot if you want to feel the effect a bit faster.
• Start with one serving. Kava builds gradually. One serving first, then decide.
• Sip it and expect the tingle. You will likely feel a brief numbing on your lips and tongue. That is completely normal.
• Give it 15 to 30 minutes. The calm comes on gently. Relax, chat, and let it settle in before deciding whether you want more.
• Hydrate and listen to your body. Have some water and notice how you feel. If you are pleasantly relaxed, you have found your level.

See the full menu for everything you can order, and ask about nightly happy hour as a low-cost way to sample.

What to order: a quick cheat sheet

• If you want the real, traditional experience, try a Fiji Blend.
• If you want something easy and refreshing, try a kava soda or nitro tea.
• If you want to feel it a little faster, try a small extract shot.
• If you just want to dip a toe in, come during happy hour to sample for less.

When in doubt, ask your kavatender. Describe the feeling you want, relaxed and cozy versus social and uplifted, and they will match you. Learn more about the options in our guide to types of kava.

Simple etiquette and good habits

Kava culture is welcoming and informal, but a few good habits make for a great first time:

• Eat a little something first. Do not go in on a totally empty stomach.
• Pace yourself. It is not a race; sip and let it build.
• Do not mix with alcohol or sedatives, ever. This is the one firm rule.
• Mind your drive home. If you feel notably relaxed, give it time before driving, and do not drive at all if you have combined kava with anything else.
• Be social. Kava is meant for connection.

How much should a beginner have?

Start with one serving and see how you feel after 20 to 30 minutes. Everyone's body is different. The goal is not to "feel it hard"; it is to feel relaxed and good while staying clear-headed. With kava, more is not better; finding your comfortable level is. For more on this, see our guide on how to drink kava.

Who should not drink kava?

Kava is for adults 18 and older. Skip it, or check with your doctor first, if you have liver concerns or take medications processed by the liver, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are mixing it with alcohol or sedatives. Full details are in our guide on whether kava is safe.

Ready for your first kava? Come see us

There is no better place to try kava for the first time than a lounge where the staff love showing newcomers the ropes. Visit Kava Works North on Academy Boulevard or Downtown on Pikes Peak Avenue. Bring a friend, tell us it is your first time, and we will take care of the rest.

Frequently asked questions

What should I order at a kava bar for the first time?

For your first time, order a smooth traditional blend like a Fiji Blend, a flavored kava soda if you want something more approachable, or a small extract shot if you want to feel the effect faster. Tell the kavatender it is your first visit and they will recommend the best option.

How much kava should a beginner drink?

Start with one serving and wait 15 to 30 minutes to see how you feel before having more. The goal is a comfortable, relaxed calm while staying clear-headed, so find your own level.

Why do my lips go numb when I drink kava?

A brief numbing or tingling of the lips and tongue is a normal, harmless effect of fresh kava. It simply means the active kavalactones are present.

Do I need to know anything special before going to a kava bar?

No. Just eat a little beforehand, pace yourself, do not mix kava with alcohol, and tell the staff you are new. Kava bars are designed to be easy and welcoming for first-timers.