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Written by Jules
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A good friend of mine brought up a good point the other day...She said, "You know when we were younger and we used to say how I wish there was a place to just hang out and chill? The kava bar is it." And I thought about it, and she is exactly right. "The Kava Bar," or it's actual name, Nakava, has become like a 2nd home to me and I am not sure what I'd do with out it.
I feel like everyone there is one big family-everyone doesn't necessarily get along, some are closer than others, but none the less, everyone knows each other and everyone for the most part are civilized with each other.
I've seen pictures of real Nakamals(original name for kava bar) in the South Pacific and I feel like "the Nak" is a modernized, but still traditional, version.
My best friend is one of the bartenders at the kava bar, and has been working there for longer than I've been going there. Before I started going, she would always ask me to go but I never did. After going through some personal rough times, I finally started going and unless I move away, it will remain my 2nd home. At first, I was not sure about kava because it's taste is definitely one you have to get used to which I did and I seriously prefer to drink kava during the week-over alcohol. Sometimes even on the weekends.
After a long day at work, I can stop by "the Nak" and grab a shell and hang out with friends...no matter when I go though, there is always someone there I can talk to or hang out with. No matter what kind of day I've had-whether a great one or a terrible one, once I'm at the Nak it's like my stress dies down and I end up having a good time. There are times that I am just sitting at home and I'd rather leave and go to the kava bar and sit around there!
It's hard to explain to people that don't go there as often exactly what it is to have a kava bar so close to home because sometimes, "newbies" come by once and then you don't see them again. Some have called the kava bar a "cult" which I can understand how someone would arrive at that conclusion but let's just say, everyone is always welcome. The more the merrier! In fact, I tell people to come there all the time! When I was a "newbie" I could feel there was a sense of closeness between everyone and now I feel like I am a part of it. I have made so many new friends, have created a lot of good memories, and have had some of the best times at the kava bar. Whether you're 16, 35 or 50, you can always find something to do or someone to talk to.
Some of the people I've met have been going to the kava bar since it first opened 7 years ago! It's interesting to hear stories of when the Kava bar first opened and I wish I had known about it back then. Even though I've only been going for about a year and a half, I feel like I've been going there since it opened. Whether you come by the Nak to just have a shell and relax, or have a shell, play some hackey sack (yes, hackey sack), or come for open mic night on Thursdays, ladies night Tuesdays, college night Sundays, or just grab a shell-and grab one of the 5 guitars in the backroom and jam, or grab a shell and play some board games, or what is most common- have a shell and sit outside on one of the many donated chairs and end up having some interesting conversations and talk about the most random things...
The owner, Jeff, once said that he should put a camera and make the kava bar a reality show-which I thought was hilarious! I do sometimes wish I had a camera for some of the stuff I've seen and heard about that goes on around here! You truly will meet some of the most unique and interesting people-I love it.
But bottom line, I can not emphasize enough how awesome the kava bar is. I really feel like I could write a book on my experience here. Trying to sum it up in a couple of paragraphs is hard but I do think I am fortunate to have one so close to home. I'm sure people have bars and places they call their 2nd home-which is always a good feeling. To know you can just go somewhere and "hang out and just chill."
Some links that have some reviews/information about "The Nak":
http://www.myspace.com/nakava
http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/2009-02-12/music/a-bowl-of-chill/
http://www.10best.com/Boca_Raton,FL/Nightlife/Best_Nightlife/86892/Nakava_Boca_Raton_FL/
http://southflorida.metromix.com/bars-and-clubs/bar/the-nakava-boca-raton/129588/content
http://www.yelp.com/biz/nakava-kava-bar-boca-raton |
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 11 April 2009 )
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