by Denise F.
Raise your hand if you've ever tried kava.Had I been asked this question a couple of weeks ago, I would have looked around befuddled and lamely half-raised my hand, in hopes that you would think I was cool. Because kava just sounds like something the cool kids should be doing, right? If you're not hip to the lingo, kava is a root crop of the western Pacific which, when converted to liquid form, produces a relaxing high that has been likened to that which is caused by Xanax. Thus, kava is often referred to as "liquid Xanax."So, when someone tells me there's a bar on Fort Lauderdale beach that serves liquid Xanax, I'm pretty much all over it. What could be better than enjoying a legal high, in a public place, with some of my closest friends? This is just what I was thinking a couple of weeks ago, when I stepped inside the doors of Kahuna 'Awa Kava Bar. Upon first walking in, I immediately noted the chilled out, bohemian vibe of the place. It looks like the kind of place that should have hookah's and plush couches in every corner, beaded curtains, and anachronistic hippy-types reliving the golden years. But, despite what the atmosphere suggests, kava is both the side show and the main event at this bar. In fact, I don't recall seeing any sort of menu, just a man behind a bar ladeling puddles of murky liquid into stone bowls. Hmmmm this should be interesting....Sitting down on one of the barstools surrounding the small bar, I had a bowl, filled with kava, placed in front of me. Feeling at once nervous and excited, I looked to my friends for encouragement as I raised the bowl to my lips. We joined in a resounding "Bula," which is the traditional "cheers" in Fiji, and unanimously chug-a-lugged our cloudy beverages. Holly effing hell. The flavor that assaulted my tastebuds upon drinking the kava is what I can only describe as horrific. Kava tastes like a freakish hybrid between sewer water, tree moss, and the semen of Satan himself. Trying not to upchuck, I reached for the slices of pineapple in the center of the bar in a total panic. What on EARTH did I just swallow? When I attempted to tell my friends that it was high time to head on out of this place, I found that my tongue was a little tingly, and almost even numb. Could it be that I was feeling the effects of this juice from hell? Perhaps this isn't so bad after all? Three bowls later, I was calling it quits , feeling loopy and tingly and strange all over. While some say that what kava produces is a high, I'm not sure I'd describe it as such. Personally, if I'm going to drink something that might as well have come out of a toilet, I better be seeing satars and nymphs frolicking through forests of purple trees below techni-colored clouds made of sunshine dust and children's laughter. But, alas, there was no such high, and I drove off, unimpaired, probably never to return again.Bottom line: If you can get past the revolting flavor, kava is worth trying just to say you have. Because, if all the cool kids are doing it, you should be doing it too.
by Heather H.
this place is a trip. and a little trippy too. I got dragged here by my friend who heard about it from the guy sitting next to her on the plane down. all i knew was kava kava was suppossed to relax you. next thing i know, i'm drinking cups of this stuff and my throat and tongue are numb. and my toes tingle. and im watching the trainwreck of a woman at the bar derail herself. the owner seemed like he was on something more than just kava kava, but was very helpful. if you go, make sure you get extra pineapple "chasers" oh, and i slept like a freakin baby. a baby with a numb throat!
