The minds of Pacific Islanders have been calm for millennia, their mouths numbed by the root of the kava plant while sitting under the palm trees and enjoying a cool breeze. In recent years, a community of likeminded people who love to drink the camaraderie-inducing beverage brewed from the kava root has been growing right here in St. Petersburg. Random in background, but united in one vision, five men came together to sow the seeds of what would become the first kava bar on Central Avenue: Grassroots Kava House, which opened this past January.
Ryan Cavanaugh works in IT, and Sean “Gravy” Suits plodded through his days as a banker. They used to imbibe the root together before heading off to their corporate lives. That was, until Kenn “with two Ns” Hoyumpa, who had helped open one of the first kava bars in the continental U.S. back in 2002, and Wes Cardinal, approached Gravy about opening kava/coffee bar hybrid in St. Pete. Jeffrey Connelly—a former veterinarian radiologist who decided it was time for a career change—entered the mix, and Grassroots sprouted.
The result of their collaboration is a different kind of coffee bar, one that’s infused with a kava-induced sense of relaxation. They like to keep it local by partnering with other local businesses, and many of their beverages are locally sourced, such as drip coffee and espresso from Blind Tiger, cold brew and nitro coffee from Made, as well as Mother Kombucha, Laura Li’s, Min’s Matcha green tea, and Tidal Boar ginger beer.
However, the kava root itself comes to St. Pete all the way from the South Pacific island Vanuatu. It is held to beautifully high standards, as Kenn learned when he traveled to Vanuatu in 2006 to learn all about the complex supply chain of kava, and about the people who grow it. He learned that Vanuatu’s laws require all exported kava to be organically grown, and no younger than five years old, guaranteeing a quality product. They stick to Vanuatu for their kava at the moment, but they’re working on sourcing from Hawaii and Tonga as well.
While they are passionate about traditionally prepared kava, Grassroots is also helping to grow the community by putting some “new twists” on the beverage that may make it more accessible to those who are new to the scene. Some blends have a more sedative effect and are best for evening sipping, while others may produce a more clear-headed, energetic result. The atmosphere is friendly and inviting to newcomers, so feel free to ask questions and your bartender will be your guide in finding the drink that’s right for you!
Night Life and Day Life?
The St. Pete Central Avenue drag boasts a boisterous, wellseasoned nightlife, but the freely flowing booze isn’t always everyone’s speed. As Ryan puts it, sometimes it’s nice to “take a night off” from drinking, but still have the social aspect of hanging out at the kava bar. It’s informal and convivial, but classy. Certainly those walking down the strip might look into the garage-panel doors and feel intrigued and inspired to check out what is within.
It’s not just a place to wander into when you’re looking for a break from the bar scene. It’s also a daytime co-working space, where you can do your own thing or collaborate with peers. Shoot, I brought my portable white board one night. Downstairs, Grassroots has three tricked-out workstations along the back right wall, past the genderneutral bathrooms. Upstairs, a long work table and an eclectic mix of chairs pepper the space. Both floors are home to ridiculously fast wi-fi.
Aesthetically, the place is dressed in a mix of vintage, reappropriated items and traditions. The distressed wood used throughout the space hails from late 19th and early 20th century Texas barns. The bar itself stretches out to neatly cover nearly an entire wall of the cafe, and a small hydroponics unit—the brainchild and pet project of Wes—grows some of the basil and mint used in signature drinks, such as their kava mule.
Speaking of “pet projects”, on one wall you’ll find a photo mural of well-behaved pups posing for the camera. Grassroots partnered with Lara Warn of Pup Active to produce rescue dog portraits, which can be found on the right side when you first walk into the cafe.
On the first Sunday of every month Grassroots and Pup Active team up for their Puppers Day Brunch. Stop by to grab some of “Dog Friendly AF” apparel, and 15% of the day’s earnings goes to a local animal charity of Pup Active’s choice. In addition to looking forward to the next monthly Puppers Day, be sure to look for the mid-January birthday throwdown when Grassroots celebrates one year in business.
Grassroots Kava House is located at 957 Central Avenue. They are open early morning until late night, seven days a week—check out their website at grassrootskavahouse.com for hours of operation or call 727-220-3041.
