Kava Social Club to launch 24-hour venue in Pinellas Park next month

Kava Social Club is preparing to open its second location in Pinellas Park in January. The new establishment will be situated at 9600 66th Street North, a site previously occupied by True Roots Kava Lounge & Smoke Shop. The business aims to bring its distinctive around-the-clock service model to the area, offering customers a place to visit at any hour of the day or night.

The 2,100-square-foot space is currently undergoing a complete interior renovation. This process includes the installation of a new tea kitchen to support the expanded menu. Once the doors open, the venue will serve kava, kratom, THC-infused beverages, kombucha, herbal teas, and coffee on a 24-hour schedule, seven days a week. This operational model mirrors the existing Bradenton location, where staff often see 15 to 20 customers as late as 4 a.m. before the morning work crowd begins to arrive by 6 a.m.

Kava is derived from the root of a plant native to the South Pacific, where it has traditionally been shared during social gatherings and ceremonies. Many patrons drink it to relax and seek a sense of calm, which has contributed to the popularity of kava bars as an alternative to drinking alcohol. Kratom, another staple on the menu, comes from the leaves of a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. It is typically served as a brewed tea, with effects ranging from increased energy to relaxation depending on the dosage.

While both beverages offer potential benefits, they can also cause side effects, and kratom specifically carries a risk of dependence. Kava Social Club joins a growing network of more than 50 kava bars across Pinellas County. Many of these establishments feature games, entertainment, and late-night hours to attract a diverse clientele.

Owners Ryan Bodie and his fiancée, Sara Lewis, started the business after frequently visiting kava bars in St. Petersburg during their early relationship. They often found themselves at venues like Mad Hatters because of their late hours. The convenience of having a social space available at almost any time inspired them to create their own establishment. Bodie noted that the idea was driven by a desire to build a strong sense of community.

The couple initially operated out of a trailer that unfolded into a tiki-style setup. For approximately nine months, they traveled to festivals and business parking lots to test their recipes and find a permanent location. Lewis, a pharmaceutical engineer and microbiologist, played a key role in this development phase. They experimented with various brewing temperatures and techniques to create their base recipes, a process that took about nine months to complete.

After opening their Braderton location in early 2020, the business expanded its staff and service hours. The menu now includes specific blends such as Tropical Wave, which combines kratom with holy basil, damiana, and loose-leaf yerba mate. Another option, the Dawn Patrol, pairs Sumatra dark roast coffee with a customer’s choice of kava blend. The offerings also include cold brew, blended coffee drinks, and mushroom coffees.

The Pinellas Park location will feature an island-inspired interior design influenced by the couple’s affinity for Fiji. This theme will be highlighted by a large mural and a pool table. Bodie described the goal as creating an atmosphere that feels like a tropical island but with the comfort of air conditioning.

Community engagement is a central part of the business strategy. At the Bradenton location, weekly chess gatherings evolved into a sponsored team that competes in local events. Other activities include book clubs, karaoke, trivia, and board games. Bodie plans to replicate this community focus in Pinellas Park, with staff available to answer questions about the menu. He also intends to offer classes on preparing kava and kratom at home, helping customers save money during the week while encouraging visits on weekends.

This expansion is part of a larger plan for the business. Bodie and Lewis hope to eventually operate five to ten family-owned locations across the Tampa Bay area, with St. Petersburg remaining a high priority. For now, their immediate focus is on completing the renovation work at the 66th Street site to ensure a smooth opening in January.