Something new is coming to New Bern: a kava & kratom bar — the first in our area. If you've never heard of a kava bar, you're not alone, so here's the story: what these botanicals are, where they come from, and why a growing number of towns are falling in love with the laid-back, alcohol-free social spot built around them.
First — what are kava and kratom?
Both are traditional botanicals with deep cultural roots — enjoyed socially for generations, long before they ever reached the States.
- Kava comes from the root of a plant native to the South Pacific islands — Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga, Hawaii. For centuries it's been prepared as a communal drink and shared at gatherings, ceremonies, and celebrations.
- Kratom is a leaf from the Mitragyna speciosa tree — a member of the coffee family — native to Southeast Asia (Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia). Traditionally it's been brewed and enjoyed as a tea.
So what actually is a kava bar?
Think of it as a coffee shop meets a neighborhood pub — minus the alcohol. A kava bar is a calm, welcoming place to slow down, meet up, and hang out without a drop of liquor. Instead of beer and cocktails, the menu is crafted kava and kratom teas and botanical drinks, mixed fresh at the counter.
Over the last decade, kava bars have popped up in college towns and beach towns across Florida and the Carolinas, becoming a favorite alcohol-free alternative — a place for students, veterans in recovery, night-shift folks, and anyone who just wants a chill spot to gather that isn't a bar. The vibe is the whole point: community, conversation, and calm.
Why New Bern? Right now, the nearest kava bars are in Greenville and Wilmington — a long drive. New Bern deserves its own. Ours is coming in partnership with Faith & Fitness Herbs, which means every drink is lab-tested and sourced direct from the origin — honest quality you can trust.
What to expect
- Fresh kava, kratom teas, and botanical drinks, crafted at the counter.
- Rare, single-origin imported coffee — Sumatra, Bali & Kopi Luwak.
- A warm, welcoming, 21+ space to relax and connect.
- The same friendly New Bern faces you already know from Donuts Pho Bagels.