Dry January does not have to mean staying in. In Los Angeles, it simply means knowing where to go, and Kavahana has quietly become one of the city’s favorite places to hang out without alcohol, offering the kind of social energy many people miss when they skip the bar.
Located on Pico Boulevard just blocks from the beach in Santa Monica, Kavahana is a late-night hangout that blends café comfort with the energy of a neighborhood gathering space. It is not a “traditional” bar, nor is it a coffee shop. It is a place where mornings turn into afternoons, afternoons turn into evenings, and people stay a little longer than they planned.
At the heart of the experience is a neat drink called kava nectar.
What is Kava Nectar?
Kava Nectar is a natural, zero-proof drink made from the root of the kava plant, a member of the peppercorn family traditionally enjoyed across the South Pacific Islands and Hawaii in social and ceremonial settings. Kavahana’s kava nectar is cold-pressed kava root nectar gently dried into a fine powder. The result is a drink that offers a subtle tingle on the tongue followed by a calm, uplifted, and social feeling. It supports presence and ease without intoxication, hangovers, or next day fog.
If you’re curious about the coconut shell cups, that’s part of the point. In many Pacific Island cultures, kava is served exactly this way. Kavahana keeps that format, pouring traditional style kava nectar into coconut shells as part of the experience.
For many guests, kava nectar becomes a natural alternative during Dry January because it still feels like going out. Their menu features thoughtfully crafted zero proof kava nectar cocktails made with real ingredients like mango, coconut milk, ginger, pineapple, and spirulina. Drinks like their “Beach Nectar” and “Paradise Nectar” are designed to mask the naturally earthy taste of kava while still offering the same tingly benefits.
Kavahana partnered with Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty Impact Fund, serving their craft “Paradise Nectar” zero proof kava nectar cocktail, along with strawberry matcha and traditional style Kava Nectar.
Beyond kava nectar, Kavahana serves Kona coffee sourced from Hawaii’s Big Island, along with ceremonial matcha, roasted hojicha, and other delicious drinks. The team is friendly, knowledgeable, and happy to guide first time guests through the menu.
Open Late – a rarity on the Westside!
What makes Kavahana especially unique in LA is its late night energy. While many cafés and restaurants close early, Kavahana stays open into the evening and often until 1 AM on weekends. It is a place where you can meet friends after work, go on a date, or enjoy a night out without alcohol, while still feeling connected to the city’s social rhythm.
Many brands and spaces claim to be community driven, but Kavahana backs it up with action. Tuesdays feature the Santa Monica Open Mic Night with local musicians, poets, and storytellers. Wednesdays bring Comedy Night, drawing a relaxed, welcoming crowd. Both events are free and open to everyone, whether you are performing or just listening.
And if you’re reading this and not local to LA, you can still be part of the Kavahana experience. Kavahana ships its kava nectar powder nationwide, making it easy to enjoy at home as a relaxing alternative or to create your own zero proof cocktails. Orders ship to all 50 states and Canada, so Dry January does not have to end at city limits!
Kava Nectar “Starter Kit,” featuring Kavahana’s Relax Edition Pouch of Kava Nectar Powder
Visit Kavahana
306 Pico Blvd Santa Monica, CA 90405
Open daily (morning to late night)
Tuesdays: Open Mic Night
Wednesdays: Comedy Night Website:Kavahana.com
Instagram:@kavahanabar
