More Than a Bar A Way to Gather
4
Texas Locations
120K+
Shells Served
2019
Founded
0
Drops of Alcohol
Our Story
It Started With One Question
Where do you go to actually be with people – when you don’t drink, when you’re early in recovery, or when you’re just tired of bar noise but still want somewhere to go?
In 2019, we couldn’t find a good answer. So we built one.
A small, candlelit social lounge in North Dallas – a non alcoholic bar built around kava, botanical drinks, coffee, and tea. One simple idea guided everything: everyone is welcome, and no one has to order anything to belong here.
wanted to build a place that just lets you stay.”
What started as one room with twelve seats has grown into four lounges across Texas, but the heart of it hasn’t changed.
Real conversation. Real connection. Real plants. No pressure.
Daniel & Mira Okafor
Co-Founders · The Kava Bar
The Plant at the Center
What is Kava , Anyway?
Kava is a root native to the South Pacific, prepared and shared in community for over 3,000 years. In places like Fiji, Vanuatu, and Tonga, kava ceremonies are part of everyday life. It is used to welcome guests, bring people together, and mark important moments.
Traditionally served as a kava root drink, it has an earthy taste and a gentle, calming effect. Many people describe the kava effects as relaxing yet clear-headed, helping you feel more present, social, and at ease.
That’s why it’s served in a shell, not a glass. Kava is meant to be shared.
3,000+
Years of Tradition
Used in Pacific Island ceremonies long before written history.
100%
Plant-Based
Just the root of Piper methysticum, water, and sometimes coconut milk.
0%
Alcohol
Calming and social, with no impairment of judgment or memory.
Bula!
The Greeting
A Fijian word meaning life, hello, and cheers – all at once.
What We Stand For
Four Promises on Every Visit
These aren’t marketing pillars. They’re the lines we don’t cross, and the reason this social lounge exists in the first place.
Judgment-Free, Always
Drink kava. Drink water. Or don’t order anything at all. You’re welcome here regardless of what’s in your cup. No upsell. No pressure. No expectations.
Alcohol-Free, By Design
This isn’t a bar that happens to skip alcohol. It’s a true social bar and lounge built around connection, without the need for a buzz. A space that feels safe, including for those in recovery.
Community First
We host open mics, art shows, recovery meetings, and first dates. The lounge is just the setting - the kava community is what brings it to life.
Plants, Sourced Right
We work directly with Pacific Island kava farmers, source coffee from trusted roasters, and use thoughtfully selected botanicals. Simple ingredients, handled with care.
The Journey
Six Years Four Lounges
The short version of a longer story – every milestone made possible by the people who kept showing up for this kava community.
The People
The Folks Behind the Bar
A founding team of three. None of us came from hospitality. All of us were looking for the same thing.
Daniel Okafor
Co-Founder · Operations
Former software engineer turned recovery advocate. Daniel left a tech career in 2019 to build the kind of third space he needed for himself five years earlier.
Mira Okafor
Co-Founder · Brand & Beverage
A botanical herbalist with a background in design. Mira develops every elixir on our menu and built the visual language that ties our four lounges together.
Theo Castellanos
Co-Founder · Community
A former community organizer who runs our open-mic, artist-residency, and recovery-partnership programs. If you’ve ever played a song in our lounge, you’ve met Theo.
Where to Find Us
Four Lounges One Family
Each kava lounge has its own personality, its own rhythm, and something you’ll only find there.
Fort Worth · Est. 2025
Fort Worth
5714 Locke Avenue
Fort Worth, TX 76107
Newest Lounge
In the Press
What People Are Saying
Our favorite write-ups from local press, podcasts, and culture sites.
Kava Rewards
Every Shell Counts
Join our loyalty program and earn points on every visit. Redeem for free drinks, unlock member-only events, and get a surprise on your birthday.
- Earn 1 point per dollar spent
- Free shell after every 10 visits
- Early access to events & new menu drops
- Birthday reward on us
Already a member?
Earn Points
Every dollar spent earns you closer to a free shell
Member Events
Early access to exclusive gatherings & tastings
Birthday Reward
A free drink waiting for you on your birthday
New Drops First
Be the first to try new seasonal elixirs & blends