Ohana Kava Bar — Restaurant in Colorado Springs

Ohana is a good place to go for those looking to have some “liquid feel-good” that is not alcohol. I have gone many times over the course of several years. Generally speaking, it is a welcoming community where you can explore sober living, or try it out if you are sober curious, and make friends and socialize without the pressure of drinking alcohol.

Recommended drinks: the Green Hawaiian traditional Kava the Elderberry tonic Lemon Haze

Pros: sober space with a lot of recurring events. good for those looking to make friends from ages 18-30 (there are staples of the community of a higher age demographic as well, but generally you will meet people in or around their 20s). Fun decorations. games and activities available. Kava is generally a fun experience that promotes relaxation, socialization, and creativity.

Employees whose work i would like to highlight: Paige makes great teas both hot, and cold. She is also very professional on shift and meticulous with keeping the bar clean and serving customers. Dakota is very professional, kind, knowledgeable, and consistent. Eli is also meticulous, works efficiently and fast, and always keeps the bar clean. Brooke is an upbeat and motivated employee who curates a positive environment every time. Alex can handle large crowds well and serves customers quickly.

While I have highlighted a few employees from the establishment, all of them are nice people who can have good conversations with a variety of folks from diverse backgrounds.

Cons: It is unclear how often the bar tops and high-touch areas of the bar are cleaned throughout the day, and many people have caught bugs throughout the year.

drinks can be expensive and the kava effects are sometimes inconsistent in potency.

no sustainable point/value system for regular patrons. (It ends up being quite expensive) The current system only allows for a $2 discount every so often, and a free Kraken on one’s birthday.

I have witnessed and experienced a blurred line between staff and patrons that lends to the sometimes unhealthy social environment of the bar that could be improved from a business standpoint. But there is still much about the place and the community that is good.

Ohana is a great place with good ‘bones’ and I hope to see it continue to improve and grow past its limitations listed in the cons.

Thank you the years of good memories, friendships, tears, and...

I’m from FL (10+ years of drinking kava) and in town just for a couple days.

1. When I walked in and sat at the bar, I was not immediately greeted. The kavatender, even if they’re busy, should always greet someone new. Even if the greeting is “welcome to Ohana, I’ll be with you in just a minute or two.”

2. As a guy in his mid-30s who doesn’t know anyone in town, and also a guy in recovery from kratom addiction, I felt a little uncomfortable that the crowd seemed to be mostly early 20-somethings all drinking kratom out of white cups. It doesn’t look like the kratom is properly brewed here as I could see the leaf particles in the guy’s cup who was next to me.

3. There is no indication of that good old ‘community’ vibe here. The kava was OK at best but it was served in a washable plastic (maybe acrylic) cups. Kava should be served in shells or little bowls that resemble shells.

On a positive note, the inside looked pretty decent. It was cool seeing an old drawing of native Fijian peoples drinking kava together in a ceremony… sad that I don’t think there is any ceremonial vibe at this bar to honor those native peoples. The place also had a separate room in the back where it looks like someone could go to study or be alone… that was the highlight of the bar.

I hope to return one day to find that this place has changed for the better. Good luck...

Ohana Kava Bar on North Academy is probably my favorite location, and a big part of that is how close it is to home. The convenience is great, but what really makes this spot stand out are the community events—especially the parking lot gatherings. I’ve made several meaningful personal and business connections here, which really shows how much Ohana has done to bring people together.

On top of the welcoming atmosphere, the quality of their kava and other drinks is second to none. Every visit reminds me why this place is so special. It’s more than just a kava bar—it’s a space where friendships are built, business connections are made, and the community...