Awa Kava & Coffee — Restaurant in Flagstaff

Avoid AWA Kava Bar: Terrible Quality, Service and Bad Vibes

I don’t usually write reviews, but after visiting AWA Kava Bar, I feel like I have to warn others. If you’re looking for a good kava experience, I’d recommend going anywhere else!

First off, the drinks are honestly terrible. The teas are super watered down, and they give you syrup to try and mask how bland they taste. It feels like they know the drinks aren’t good and just try to cover it up with sugar. The kava itself was also disappointing and watery with bits of root at the bottom of your shell. Not what I was expecting at all. I’ve been to other kava bars around Arizona, and this one is by far the worst I’ve tried.

The worst part had to be the service. The guy behind the counter (probably one of the owners?) was super rude. He literally rolled his eyes every time he was asked to do something, like it was a huge hassle. It made the whole experience really uncomfortable. I overheard him talking badly about other customers after they left, which was just unprofessional and awkward. I’m here to relax and enjoy a drink, not feel like I’m back in High School.

Then there was the other owner, who was just sitting at the bar the whole time doing video calls like it’s his home office. It made me feel uncomfortable and seemed like he couldn’t care less about the customers. I get that people have work to do, but if you’re running a business, at least act like you care about your customers.

Lastly, I noticed they seem to hire only young, petite women in their 20s, which is… odd. One of the employees even mentioned how uncomfortable she feels around one of the owners, saying he crosses several boundaries. That’s just not okay and makes me question the whole place.

I don’t know how AWA is still in business with all these issues, especially since it’s the only kava bar in Flagstaff. Flagstaff deserves a much better bar like the ones in Phoenix where I go to all the time. A bar with good drinks and an environment that actually feels welcoming.

I won’t be coming back, and I suggest you...

Awesome Kava bar. I've only ever been to 1 other Kava bar before and this one is a lot better. Johnny the guy working there is awesome, friendly, and is super helpful when asking questions about their drinks. They also have kratom and I know kratom tastes horrible if not made properly but he assured me that they brew it in a way that tastes not so bad. I ordered it and it wasn't that bad! I was so surprised. He then added some syrup or sweetener to it to have me try it and it tasted even better. Not bad at all. Also was strong and I definitely felt the effects from a large size glass. My girl got a chai kava drink and it was super good, tasted like a vanilla chai latte or something and he said it still has the "normal" amount of Kava in it, they don't put in less to make it taste better or because there are other ingredients in it too. Anyway, place is great. From the staff to the drinks. Will definitely come back every time I am...

First experience with Kava and this place was incredible.

Judah (sp?) was behind the bar and super friendly. Fully understood my newness and explained his take on Kava. I gave home some basic tastes I was looking for and he mixed up a hot Awa Lava Latte… it was awesome.

I hung out and took in the vibe scrolling through my phone nonsense. It was a super neighborly place. A few regulars came in and hung out, a couple of people with dogs.

There’s a sitting area and a bar area as well as a few small tables inside. The outside patio looked good but it was not what I was looking for.

They don’t mind if you bring food to eat there.

There is a parking lot out back to avoid having to pay for street parking

I had a muddy chai as my second drink and enjoyed the kava numbness on my tongue.

Had the greatest dreams that night.

Will be back when I’m in town again. Thanks...