Rooted Kava Bar
| Address: | 1731 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103, USA |
| Phone: | +1 619-293-3180 |
| Site: | rootedkavabar.com |
| Rating: | 4.4 |
| Working: | 11AM–1AM 11AM–1AM 11AM–1AM 11AM–1AM 11AM–2AM 11AM–2AM 11AM–1AM |
Location
Photos 75
Reviews 12
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Jonathan Lodato
WARNING!!! Kava(Piper methysticum) is touted for its suppossed medicinal benefits. In truth there is lack of scientific study other than reports of decreased anxiety and its proven high potential to adversely interactive with prescribed psyciatric medications. Overall it is classified as a psycotropic, meaning it alters mind and mood. Like any other illicit drug it releases dopamine and stimulates GABA receptors in the brain( see research from NCBI). Same as alcohol or cannabis. This triggers " reward behavior" so if you are " in sobriety" I write to dissuade you from ever considering ingesting this stuff. Like anything else, the difference between poison and medicine often lies in the dose. Which is fine if you have never suffered from addiction and have a proven record of limiting consumption. If you are like me however, be warned. Im a hereditary alcoholic/addict and have developed quite an affliction with this root. I used to come here just for the people and enjoy a cup or two of kava with minimal or no effect. Back when it was mostly a yoga studio, it was occupied by the "conscious community". Thats all changed now, THE MUSIC SUCKS and its mostly just a brusque clique of bleak liberal chain smokers and I find myself here compulsively for no other reason than to experience the effects of kava. My excuse for going was always to socialize in a sober/conscientious environment but thats no longer the case. However mild it may be, enough cups WILL produce a euphoric effect. One im disgracefully attracted to. One night I simply had one to many,I felt it hard and remember thinking " DID I JUST RELAPSE??!". It struck me as terribly uncomfortable and worrisome but I sheepishly reasoned that everyone else here enjoys it, its just kava, its fine( little did I know ). Since then my frequency of use increased dramatically and Ive watched kava take quite a few people right back to harder substances.so I declare that if you drink enough of this stuff regularly and consider yourself to be "sober" in any fashion, you are quite in denial deeply. Any rehabilitation facility also strongly agrees. The kava lactones extracted through traditional preparation are NOT water soluble. Every cup you have, you are ingesting loads of macromolecules that the body requires to be processed through the liver. This absorbs a lot of metabolic energy and is the reason why you feel such a noticable HANGOVER effect the next day.I Cant forget to mention its a powerful diuretic that can produce extreme feelings of NAUSEA, which is quite awful. Not only are the PRICES EXORBITANT but you are throwing your money away to feel like hell the next day. Really you might as well just head downtown and go hollywood if you are going to consider kava consumption as a type of alternative lifestyle. In my experience the most pronounced effect of coming here is a feeling of profound REMORSE! Especially since one of the owners is a delusional weirdo who exhibits an aversion to his own paying customers! He makes condescending insults to myself and specific patrons. To rudely interrupt interactions, particularly with females, who he cajoles with adulation like a creep. He behaves grossly HAUGHTILY to customers with some self-perceived notion of grandeur but in actuality he is nothing more than a pusher man of this modern snakes oil that is kava. If this was any other business I would easily refrain from contributing another dollar to that jerks coffers after such brazen disrespect. To easily disregard any person/s who intend to reduce my value as a human being. Yet repeatedly I inauspitiously find myself sharing space with these insidious, toxic persons against my best interest. To satiate a clearly apparent ADDICTION. Im not certain if this review will really ever reach many people but I pray that these words find at least one inquistive and intelligent mind. That this denouncement influences and spares even one person from the wasted time,money and the unhappiness kava use has brought me.
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Nandi Pathefinder
Sadly this place has really gone downhill since the management change. I ordered the golden milk which in the menu says it is made with rice milk. When I got it I asked was milk it was made with, because I noticed it was extra frothy. The served said soy, which doesnt not like my body, I was not offered an alternative drink or refund. The scary part is, that if I hadnt asked and if I have been really allergic it could have been much worst. I got in touch with the owner- but havent heard from them that they will take this seriously. What was even worst for me that that I also bought a $30 bowl of kava (which was tasty and potent), but I did not feel valued as a customer or as a human.
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Annie Buchwald
Super down to earth family place. Children and lets are welcome, you can sit on cushions, couches or chairs under their indoor tree, people are super nice, the people who work there are very happy to teach you about the kava drink and they also serve kambucha (sp?) - both in several flavors. They have a deck outside for smokers and do painting-and-kava classes in a separate room now and then. It feels really good to be in this place.
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Robert Roleson
A really laid back place with couches up front and outdoor benches (smoking section) behind the building. The music was good (old school hip hop) but that was also because a DJ was spinning for a charity event going on. This was my first time trying Kava and chugging doubles was probably a mistake, especially after the first sip numbed my mouth, but i would definitely try again.
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Ricardo Aranha
Very nice place to hangout. First time trying Kava tea, the bartender was very friendly and taught us a great deal about Kava, very cool and relaxing experience overall. The place is cosy and chill went around 2-4 pm, the acai bowls were tasty and they had a nice variety of Kava tea flavors, my favorite one was ginger.
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Sean Deering
The proprietor used my drink to put out a fire, and handed me back my empty cup. This initially annoyed me, but he assured me it would be comped. They then proceeded to give me free ice water all night, and said it would always be on the house from that day forward. Thanks Dillon!
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Athena Sees
I felt like a visitor who had traveled to a foreign land. They greeted me with a tasting of all of the kava flavors. My favorite was the cucumber watermelon. It was a great experience and attracted a friendly group of people. As Arnold would say... Ill be back
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Tiziana-Lisa Zaccaria
You really should go there and try a kava drink which is made of the root of the plant. It is similar to marijuana and chills you down. Really nice impact on your mind. The drink itself tastes horrible, but it is worth the effect.
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Isaac Ullah
Its a cool place, and very nice bar tenders. Im just not so sure about the whole "kava" thing. It was as good as it possibly can be, I suppose, but give me a beer over a bowl a kava any day.
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Raul Damiani
Never heard was kava was until I walked into this awesome little place. Great staff. Very friendly and really great clientele. Kava was excellent and would definitely recommend.
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Barbara Gifford
What a great find! A relaxing cozy atmosphere, great service, and unique beverage choices. We had a great time and look forward to coming in again on our next trip to San Diego!
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john Murphy
One my favorite places, great atmosphere, great kava, yerba mate, and now kombucha. All locally brewed. The bar tenders are the best! Looking for a new hangout in SD, comehere!!
