Manna Tea & Kava Bar — Restaurant in Florida

The staff is great, but the owner told me I couldn't bring my service-dog-in-training to "Self-Care" Saturday. No offense to Self-Care Saturday events in general; the behavior merely seemed hypocritical. There is a particular Florida statute that allows service-dogs-in training, and I posted it on my instagram, and they responded that I shouldn't be bringing a puppy before she is vaccinated. That only applies if she is interacting with other dogs, and performing a service dog task does not require that. Service-dogs-in-training are medical necessities too, and the state of Florida is aware of that. My puppy has all the shots she is allowed to have so far; I've never seen any Florida statute stating that a service-dog-in-training cannot be considered a service-dog-in-training unless the dog has received its rabies vaccine. I can only do what the vet will allow, and I had no intention of leaving my expensive puppy outside in the patio when I have had one of my dogs stolen before. I brought my puppy to Adobe Graffiti Lounge, and she didn't make a peep, didn't bother anyone, played well with the children, and did provide therapeutic value to everyone in the environment. She stayed in my arms the entire time and did not interact with anyone unless they chose to do so. Unfortunately, she will not be providing therapeutic value to Manna Tea and Kava Bar.

In addition to all this, a regular there cyberbullied me about my posts and made blatant remarks discriminating against my disability. I've also heard from other customers that their puppies were allowed to go there with no issue, so I feel singled out.

As for our conversation on the phone, I called the inspector per their suggestion, and the inspector said he would have to look into it. I tried to tell the owner this, and he hung up on me. I was given no chance whatsoever to explain my situation either. All of this has exacerbated my disability symptoms, especially the day that it occurred. The regular there called me a "cry baby" because the phone call with the owner triggered my PTSD. This caused me to have severe anxiety for the whole day - a day I cannot get back.

I understand that Manna Tea does not make the rules and possibly has never encountered any exception to these rules. However, the owners were not very accommodating to my disability, though they were aware of it, and this regular who cyberbullied me is a friend of the owners'. I was surprised that the owners did nothing to prevent him from cyberbullying me. Regardless of whether I am right or wrong about my service-dog-in-training, who has entered Publix and other establishments on multiple occasions, these occurrences were traumatic to me...

I'm new to this area but rather well connected in the Tampa/St Pete scene, one of my friends had been coming in regularly to the point the Kava tender knew her by name. This was my first time.. At first glance I was very impressed with the set up, branding is superb. The entire set up was very nice, not something you'd expect to find so close to a county that considers this type of establishment taboo. The drinks were very well done, it was a great experience.. So much we actually came back the next afternoon before I departed back home. This experience was completely different, my friend had her 5yo with her and we walked in again to be greeted by the Kava tender by name, her child as well. She grabbed us some drinks, we sat down on the couches and the employee actually brought her son a comic book. Everything was kosher for about 30 mins till this giant ego with dredlocks walked in. I had no clue who she was, but the glare we recieved set the tone for what was about to happen. At this point the chess set that was sitting on the table had been moved a bit and the pieces disheveled, the Spiderman comic was on the floor where we were sitting. This engraged the individual who immediately came into our space, grabbed our drinks and took them to the bar so we could tab out telling us we needed to go. Her 5yo actually asked his mother why we needed to leave and this individual took it apon herself to reply to him..(bc you can't not trash the place so time to go) I was speechless.. I get the policy, I get the sign on the door, this has been something the establishment has allowed till this point. Over a comic book he was given and moved pieces on a chess board, I actually mentioned her unprofessionalism and she referred me to check her google reviews and how shes the owner.. Never in my years of literally going to any establishment I can find to try have I ever experienced something like this. My intent was to purchase a Tshirt and come back to Tampa with feedback of the drinks I encountered, what I ended up with is this wild story of this individuals actions and attitude. Definitely unique and unexpected to someone who walked in two times and spent $100. My friend was mortified this happend and has not returned, I have also found alternatives to this establishment for my travels. Thank you to all the awesome employees this review dosen't reflect my experience with you what so...

👎🏼 Rude owner. Went here for a hardcore show for the first time this past weekend.

The poster listed this venue did not serve alcohol. After paying for tickets, we asked the guy at the door if it was ok we went next door to the pizza place to have a drink before coming into the show, we also asked about re-entry. We were told it was fine to go next door to the establish that serves alcohol and that re-entry was allowed.

After walking back over the owner seen us leaving the establishment that serves alcohol and literally shouted at us from across the plaza before we even approached the door that we were NOT going to be permitted to re enter for the show because we had consumed alcohol.

I wish this was told to us when tickets were bought. I felt as though we were mislead by the door guy, robbed the money for the tickets, and unfortunately missed out on enjoying a great show.

This no consumption of any alcohol should have been on the flyer or explained when tickets were sold. We would have complied, and happily enjoyed the show.

Will NOT be attending another because of the immature and rude way the owner decided to enforce this unlisted policy.

-RESPONSE to owners Reply: I am VERY happy to hear the Bands receive the money for the shows. I think properly informing the person at the door who is selling tickets for your establishment would result in customers that clearly understand your policy. A policy in which I fully respect, I was just was not aware of.

It was dark and you have no lights out front of the establishment for any signs to stand out. I though this establishment did not serve alcohol and you could not consume it on the property, I did not realize there was also a policy to where you are not able to have consumed any alcohol at all.

I didn’t realize we were breaking any rules. I would have appreciated the owner to politely explain this policy instead of shouting across the plaza making a scene.

I love coffee and tea, and would have respected the policy if I had it clearly explained by the door person whom I directly told we were going next door to grab a drink, in between bands.

Very distasteful was of treating...