Passage Kava Lounge — Restaurant in Nashville-Davidson

I reviewed Passage ten months ago and gave it five stars. They started out great in every aspect. First kava bar in Nashville, I was so excited. Service was great, atmosphere was great…

Boy, has it changed. Prices have skyrocketed, it costs $80 to fill up my 32 ounce tumbler—that I actually got from Passage! I get that you need to make a profit, but come on! The owner, Holding, said “well, you got one of our premium kavas, if you’d gotten the house blend it would have been cheaper!” Well guess what? I got the “premium” (it’s called “mind”) because the house blend is barely even kava. It’s basically brown water. It has no flavor and no effect. No buzz. It might as well be free because it’s like drinking out of a water fountain, but the water is brown. The “premium” blends are better and do have a nice effect…but not $80 better! For that much money, I can buy enough kava online to make a couple gallons at home.

Service is hit or miss. Depending on which kavatender you get and whether they’re having a good day, you may get great service or may get horrible service.

The atmosphere is nice, and I think that’s what keeps people coming. They like the Victorian decor and chess boards. I did too at first.

I brought up some of my concerns to Holding, the owner, and instead of apologizing or trying to use my critique constructively to improve the place, he took it personally. After leaving a couple of critical reviews on Yelp, he told me “I guess Passage isn’t the place for you.” So I was just like “Okay, I guess it’s not.” So I didn’t come back for several months.

Then I came back today just to see if anything had changed since then. Well, yes. Firstly, there was a new kavatender. Secondly, Chris, one of the original kavatenders (and one of my the best IMO), came out and said “hey, Holding said you’re not allowed here anymore.”

Okay, so I’m banned from Passage because my constructive criticism hurt Holding’s feelings and crushed his fragile ego.

Don’t bother coming here. If Holding seems friendly—which he very much does when you first arrive at Passage—it’s all a facade. He just wants his ego stroked, and if you don’t tiptoe around his ego, he’ll tell you to go screw off. Not to your face though. He’ll have someone else tell you.

I don’t hate Holding. I’d never said anything negative about him as a person until now. All my criticisms in the past have just been about Passage and how to make it better. I don’t hate him, but apparently he hates me, so I guess I won’t be back.

If you want a good kava bar with friendly service and an owner who actually cares about his customers, go to Cup of Kava in Clarksville. It’s about 50 miles away from Nashville, but it’s totally worth it. The kava is better, cheaper, and most importantly, the employees actually care about...

Step back in time, to a more refined era, perhaps Victorian. It's your adventure after all. As you enter the threshold, your environment suddenly changes as you leave the present behind. You're transported; you've arrived.

Shedding the present, leave your cares at the door and be embraced by the resplendent atmosphere, welcoming hosts, and vibrant community. The denizens here come from all walks of life, and are among the most warm, and kind people I've ever met. All artifice seems removed and it's a joy to be in their presence.

I'd never tried Kava before, and was a little unsure about the process, but our bartender, Jayzen (or perhaps, kavatender would be more apt) explained the origin and culture around this unique brew. The beverage is made by extract from the root of the Piper methysticum plant. It's origins are ancient, and lie in the South Pacific and it is long known for it's medicinal benefits to reduce anxiety, and instill a sense of calm. It's also known for other medicinal properties as well, acting as a mild euphoriant. I can honestly say I experienced these as I was treated to my first shell on the house. A group of us raised our shells together, and with a hearty "bula!" we consumed our drinks.

Passage also hosts live music from local artists, and it's clear they support the local musical community. I was fortunate enough to visit last weekend when we were enchanted by the beautiful strains of Cindy Alter and company. Cindy is an award-winning musician and songwriter and I was duly impressed. She's on Instagram if you want to experience her music yourself.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed my brief visit to Passage. It completely disarmed me and I felt relaxed and at home. I find myself wishing to go back....

I struggle to put into words the depth of my gratitude for Passage Kava Lounge. From the warmth of the workers to the souls who wander in and find belonging within its walls, this place has blossomed into more than a lounge—it has become a family. The connections I have formed here have enriched my life in ways I never thought possible.

Before arriving, I knew little about kava. Yet through the stories shared and the cultural history honored here, it has become something profoundly meaningful and even magical in my life. The owner’s dedication to authenticity is evident—he pours his heart into ensuring the quality of every product, holding himself to the highest standard. More than that, his kindness and sincerity have left an indelible mark on me; he has become a person of true importance in my life.

The kava tenders, too, hold a special place in my heart. They do not simply serve—you can feel their genuine care in every interaction, their attentiveness in making sure you feel seen, comfortable, and welcomed.

Passage Kava Lounge is not just a place to visit; it is a community to be embraced. I wholeheartedly recommend stepping into this space—it may very well change your life, as...