Alabama’s first kava bar opening in Lakeview, August 8

A first-of-its-kind-in-Alabama gathering spot is officially opening its doors in Birmingham this weekend. Noble Pursuits—Alabama’s first bar specializing in traditional kava drinks with house-made speciality beverages—opens Saturday, August 8 in Birmingham’s Lakeview district.

But what is kava? I met with the owners of Noble Pursuits to learn more and taste-test several of their favorite concoctions.

What is Kava?

If you’ve never heard of kava, you’re not alone. In fact, everything I know I learned in the past 48 hours.

Both the name of a plant and the traditional beverage made from its root, Kava is a psychoactive drink that offers relaxing, calming effects without clouding the mind. The plant and drink are native to the Pacific Islands, where it’s played an important ceremonial and social role for more than three millennia.

“Essentially, Kava is both the plant and the drink you make from the plant’s root. It’s a Pacific Island cultural practice that we’re trying to engage with, honor and contribute to.

Clayton Scogin, General Manager, Noble Pursuits

According to Noble Pursuits’ advisor Jacques Hicks, there are two main types of kava: noble kava and tudei kava. Noble kava is the “gold standard” version of the beverage, with a smooth, calming relaxing effect; tudei kava is a cheaper, harsher variety with heavy sedation and side effects like nausea.

To state the obvious, Noble Pursuits will not be serving tudei kava.

“We want Noble Pursuits to be a transparent and safe place that provides a safe beverage for our guests. We recommend consulting your doctor before consuming anything new, to see if it’s right for you. But in general, any medications you can’t take with alcohol, you also can’t take with kava—including acetaminophen and any psychiatric medications.”

Nathan Pullen, Assistant Manager, Noble Pursuits

Noble Pursuits is Alabama’s first Kava Bar

While kava has been consumed in the Pacific Islands for more than 3,000 years, kava bars only became popular in the States in the early 2000’s. While kava bars are common along the coast—particularly in Florida and North Carolina—Noble Pursuits is Alabama’s first.

“Our goal for Noble Pursuits is to be a true third space for the spectrum of peoples in the Birmingham area. It’s a place to commune, collaborate and cultivate, built in the Fijian spirit of talanoa (inclusive, open, and transparent conversation).

We are currently in a cozier space, but fully expect to outgrow it very soon. Kava is just a stepping stone to the larger goal of providing a community hub that includes other wellness-centered options. This could include other herbal supplements, activities such as yoga or group therapy. services such as massage and acupuncture or any other direction the community guides us toward.”

Clayton Scogin, General Manager, Noble Pursuits

Noble Pursuits is located at 720 29th St S within The Vape Loft space in Birmingham’s Lakeview district.

What’s on the menu at Noble Pursuits?

Because kava naturally has an earthy, slightly bitter flavor, the Noble Pursuits team spent months experimenting with recipes that complement those characteristics instead of hiding them. On the menu, you’ll find kava beverages made with fresh-squeezed ingredients, coconut-based elements and premium mixers, including:

• Coconut Lime Refresher | sweet coconut blend, raw blue agave, fresh lime juice, club soda
• Duadua Berry Lemon | mixed dark berries, fresh strawberry, fresh lemon, raw blue agave, sweet coconut blend
• Piña Puddle | fresh pineapple, sweet coconut blend, raw blue agave, condensed vanilla paste
• Chocokava | velvety chocolate syrup, sweet coconut blend, condensed vanilla paste, raw blue agave, coarse salt, allspice

Of course, you can also take kava the traditional way.

“Kava is a dried root powder, and it tastes that way. It’s earthy and has a bit of a bitter taste to it—but, if you can drink black coffee, you can definitely drink kava.”

Clayton Scogin, General Manager, Noble Pursuits

No matter which way you prefer to drink it, each drink at Noble Pursuits is made with the high quality noble kava imported directly from Fiji.

“In Fiji, they can only export noble kava—and, it has to go through a rigorous process to be certified as noble. It takes roughly six weeks from the time our exporter pulls kava from the ground to the time its in your cup, so we’re going to have the freshest kava you can have without flying thousands of miles to Fiji yourself.”

Jacques Hicks, Advisor, Noble Pursuits

Noble Pursuits opens Saturday, August 8

Noble Pursuits will celebrate its soft opening this Saturday, August 8, with an open-house style event. Visitors can stop by between 11AM and 10PM to meet the team, learn more about kava and explore the space. Plus, they’ll be serving free Moe’s Original BBQ at noon and 5PM as well as complimentary canned beverages while supplies last.

• What: Noble Pursuits’ soft opening/meet and greet
• When: Saturday, August 8 from 11AM to 10PM
• Where: Noble Pursuits, 720 29th St S, Birmingham, AL 35233

Have you tried kava before? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know what you think!