Shakedown Kava Lounge — Restaurant in Hendersonville

I love EVERYTHING about this place! From the bartenders to the overall atmosphere, this place is great for people who want to relax, play games (usual board games/ a pool table/ ping pong table/ chess set/ plus games I’ve never played nor seen before), for those that have had a hard day and want to blow off steam this place has a speed bag & heavy weight bag with straps & gloves/ plus there’s a greenway & a disc golf course, both within walking distance. Given its location, it also allows for casual strolls around downtown Hendersonville. Door Dash delivers here, and outside food is allowed in. Being a non-alcoholic bar, there are various drinks & snacks. It’s truly a place that offers the best of both worlds, whether you are looking to come to socialize or rather seeking a place to be parallel to other’s while you stow away by yourself to write/ read or do some school work. They have plenty of seating options for all ages! Barstools, couches, arm chairs galore! There guest WiFi works great, I’ve never experienced a lag in connection. Plus there’s even a corner store across the street if you like the drinks options but want different snack. They have two parking lots (concrete/gravel) & street parking on two streets (they run perpendicular to the Lounge (so parking isn’t an issue). This place also bodes an AMAZING taco truck, if you don’t want to order/ bring/not walk to get food, that’s located in their gravel lot (it’s hours vary but you can call ahead if needed to see if it’s open). One of my favorite aspects of this place is that not only is it an inclusive, & safe space (all are welcome) but it also offers a lower-stim environment for those of us, like myself, via it being an alternative to alcoholic/tapas bars, as I find them be too loud & unpredictable & coffee shops that, similarly to me, tend to have harsher lighting & tend to have a myriad of variously overwhelming smells from their baked goods to variety of coffee beans. This lounge has a way more socially conducive atmosphere for me, considering I typically find most social places to be overwhelming sensory-wise. More specifically, I appreciate the softer lightening, as it tends to be much lower in it’s intensity and also varies both throughout the lounge & throughout the day; to better accommodate the needs of it’s patrons. Lastly, because I could definitely go on, and on, I have to mention the varied nature of the events that are hosted here; some of my favorites being the Art Night (hosted by Stetson, with Alex behind the bar) every Monday & their Weekly open mic on Thursday’s (usually hosted by Darien (who you’ll also spot behind the bar). Additionally to those, there is also live music, comedy shows, Movie Nights, ping pong tournaments…& more events to come in the future, I’m sure…the kicker here being, all aforementioned events are free & open to the public! 10/10 would recommend for a friend date, a first date (safe) meet cute, a friend filled game night, or even a birthday celebration…whatever the reason, you should add this place to your list of...

Shakedown Kava Lounge is an awesome alternative to the traditional alcohol bars and breweries around town. The staff and regulars are welcoming and friendly and the drinks are strong! I've been a regular at all the Kava bars around Asheville for the past year and I've never gotten a faster or stronger Kava buzz than the ones I've experienced at Shakedown! The flavor of Kava does take some getting use to but they offer some tasty alternatives to the traditional brew! They also have Kratom, Yerba Mate, Cannabis Infused Seltzers and more. Look out for regular events like Thursday Night Open Mic and Tuesday Ping Pong Tournaments. The owners and staff are helpful, very kind, and super fun! I highly recommend checking out Shakedown Lounge if you are in Hendersonville and want to experience something a little...

Had such a great time at Shakedown Kava Bar in Hendersonville tonight for Art Night! The atmosphere was so chill and welcoming—it was exactly what my friends and I needed to unwind, create, and just enjoy each other's company. The vibe was super relaxed, and everyone was incredibly friendly.

I ordered the mango spritz and wow… it was delicious! Easily one of the best kava drinks I’ve had in a long time—smooth, flavorful, and refreshing.

Shoutout to Alex behind the bar—he was so nice and friendly, and his bedazzled hat absolutely made my night. It added such a fun and personal touch to the whole experience.

Honestly, this is one of the better kava bars I’ve been to lately. Highly recommend checking it out if you're in the area, especially for one of their event nights. Can’t wait to go...