I definitely echo Kapm's sentiments regarding "cocktails" and the mixture of alcohol with kava. Make no mistake, it
is dangerous due to the high level of synergistic effects and (more chronically/subtly) from a potential hepatotoxic perspective. I'd recommend that you tell people that having both is not recommended. You could also put that on a sign (see below re: "caution sign").
Also, (and this is just to further extrapolate on what Kapm was getting at) I would recommend that you stick to selling purely kava and pure kava. Of course this doesn't mean that you can't sell fruit drinks, food, other beverages/tea, etc but the more associations that a "kava bar" has with other substances, the more disastrous the media attention will be. For example, there have been reports of kava bars selling K@ either alongside or in kava beverages and this has garnered lawsuits, but more importantly, massively negative media attention for both kava and K@ (which neither substance needs, especially K@ right now).
In fact, so many kava bars sell K@ there have even been people that have came here confused about the fact that they
aren't the same thing! Both of the substances can fall into the somewhat "murky" underbelly of "legal highs" in the minds of the sensationalistic media, parents, "action groups", etc. Therefore, the larger the distance between the two the better it will be for each substance, and possibly even your business, depending on your business model. The problem lies in the fact that whenever something relatively new is being introduced to a very wide-market (as I'm sure yours will be), if there is even a hint of anything negative about the operation (such as marketing, atmosphere, titles on the menu, other substances served, etc) the media will latch onto the negatives and there will be a ton of unnecessary media attention for kava which is already in a delicate place it seems.
For example, marketing it as something that is "A centuries-old Polynesian tea made from the roots of Piper Methysticum" is very different than "Want to feel good? Drink some kava" (or other such emphasis on kava's psychoactive nature). An emphasis on the history and tradition would do wonders in this regard. Also, in regards to the menu, don't call it something like the "Head Mod" as one vendor does (and I'm sure there are other such titles). Calling it by the cultivar's name would be very beneficial in terms of marketing it in line with the history and tradition, but of course you could also put up the various juices you could mix with it (as a lot of kava bars seem to do).
I would also recommend that there be a little "introduction" to people that are new. When greeting someone walking in through the door, ask them if they have had kava before and if not, (if it were me) I would say something along the lines of
"Well, it's a beverage made from water and a ground root from a plant that has been used traditionally for centuries all throughout the Pacific. The natives of these Pacific island countries have
safely used it for centuries for its calming effect. If it's your first time, we would recommend that since the kava has an unpleasant taste, you try it with one of our mixes [point to menu]. Also, kava has a reverse tolerance which means that in the beginning, you actually might have to drink more to feel any effect (as I see a lot of negative reviews on kava bars where they might not have mentioned this and people say "Tastes like muddy water and didn't do anything even after two shells. Waste.)."
Also, if it were me, I would think of a way to address the potential for interactions with medications (as it can have). I don't know of a delicate way to put that, although the kava bar I frequent has a sign saying something along the lines of "If you are taking medication, especially anti-anxiety medication, muscle relaxants or pain medication, consult your physician before drinking kava".
Another potential for serious trouble is someone drinking a lot of kava and then driving (even though a study found that "
A medicinal dose of kava containing 180 mg of kavalactones does not impair driving ability, whereas 30 mg of oxazepam shows some impairment"). I know of a few cases in south Florida (which is super-saturated with kava bars) has had a few cases of people being pulled over after drinking kava for DUIs. It
seems like most have gotten off, but that could be due to a "loose" law in Florida that allows "impaired driving" as long as it isn't alcohol or an illegal substance. That being said, if someone gets pulls over in NYC and tells the cop they hadn't had anything other than kava at that kava bar, well... it could be disastrous. All that being said, I know most people in NYC don't even have cars and take taxis and PT (from what I've heard) but the potential is still there. Again, it's a line of delicacy because you don't want people to drink 12 shells and then think it's safe, but you also want people to know that in moderation, it actually is completely safe. Having a limit on amounts would be beneficial in this regard.
Also, and I'm sure Judd and others can chime in on this, but because the FDA hasn't approved kava as a "drug", I would try to avoid saying that it "does well for anxiety, depression, stress..." and rather say something like "The natives have traditionally used it (or it's been known to) to ease stress, promote relaxation, give a sense of well-being
without impairment like with alcohol". Marketing it to treat or cure ailments would be illegal if I'm not mistaken.
These are all just some thoughts off the top of my head. It's your business though so feel free to run it however you'd like, I just felt like it might be good to suggest some things that I think we all agree are in the best interest of kava. Feel free to message me if you want to talk or have any questions.
