MeloMelo Kava Bar — Restaurant in Santa Cruz

This spot is awesome and I hope it continues to do really well.

I'm an American who used to play some rugby (College and Men's club). Any American Rugby player has spent a good deal of time around Pacific Islanders. I happened to be in Tonga once upon a time and had the chance to attend a true, traditional Kava party with a Rugby team there. It was an amazing experience. Everyone sat in a circle with gentle music playing, talked softly and enjoyed the Kava together, shared out of large wooden bowls.

This bar is not the same experience, because it is a bar and therefore can't be. Otherwise, it is as authentic as can be. The kava we drank tastes exactly--exactly--like what I had when I had the real thing in Tonga. The bowls are not shared as they would be at a traditional Kava party (which makes complete sense...I don't think America would even allow that in an era that wasn't the COVID era) but otherwise are made of the same material and remind me of that experience. The servers were excellent and very friendly.

As to the Kava, this was my second time and I enjoyed it more than the first. My Brazilian girlfriend (who has never had any kind of drug in her life and was a bit scared to try, thinking it was a drug, which it is not) said she found it to be the best alternative to alcohol she has ever had. Like getting drunk without losing control of your body or feeling sick. I'd say it's just incredibly relaxing, but agree with her as well.

Only caution to those going--I would avoid going on Wednesday between 9:30 and 11:00. At that time they have some insane, whirlwind happy hour and the place fills up with really obnoxious and borderline disrespectful 18 to 21 year olds, and the entire ambience ends up being exactly the opposite of what a Kava experience should be--chill, friendly, mellow, and relaxing. Other than those hours, it is highly, highly...

I just had my first kava here!

Pretty funny that I grew up in Hawaii, where it's called 'awa, and I thought it might help me taper off of alcohol. I think it will.

This place is very congenial, very nice and helpful people, and has plain traditional kava as well as some kava drinks with flavors on them because it's kind of plain on its own.

They also have CBD drinks, various hemp products, etc. I just wanted to try kava at a good kava place and this one seems to be of the first rank.

The kava made me feel relaxed, I got a little of the mouth-numbing feeling, and I decided, Yeah, let's do this. So I bought a half pound of powder, asking for "the most relaxing" kind and left happy.

Update: It's been a few days now, and I've not had alcohol for over 24 hours. The kava I bought to take home actually tastes a bit nicer than the stuff I got at the bar, with a slight pepper aftertaste. I was able to sleep well without feeling the need to drink alcohol. The feeling kava gives is so much finer than alcohol, which by comparison, to me, feels "heavy" and cloying.

I highly recommend giving this place a try.

Followup 4th July 2020. Yes, indeed, the kava from here helped me taper off from alcohol and I stayed sober UNTIL ... the lockdown. 4 months "wet" and got tired of it so I tapered down on my own, w/o the help of kava or anything. But I wanted some kava anyway. I ordered "Amazon's Best" or most recommended or whatever, from Amazon and it was so bad I returned it. I don't need kava; it's not addicting like alcohol or benzos or such things are. But at times I might want kava, and I'm not sure how soon I'll be in Santa Cruz again, but when I am, I'll surely stop in for some. First rate! I look forward to raising a shell with you folks...

I used to cherish MeloMelo Kava Bar for its inclusive atmosphere, welcoming everyone regardless of background or belief. However, during my recent visit, I was disheartened by the management's decision to prominently display Palestine flags, seemingly endorsing a political agenda. While I empathize with those affected by conflict, I believe public spaces should remain neutral and inclusive. Every patron brings their own experiences and perspectives, and it's crucial to respect them all. Let's strive to keep places like MeloMelo as sanctuaries of unity and understanding. btw I would be more then happy to remove this review once this issue will be addressed I have no intention to hurt any small...