Kava Bars on Long Island: Every Spot Worth Visiting in 2026

First, a disclosure. We own Roots, so take our ranking with a grain of salt. We put ourselves first because it's our blog, but we tried to describe everyone else fairly, using their own press and what's been published about them.

The good news is the list is short. Long Island has around three million people and, as of fall 2026, only two kava bar names that we know of: Roots Kava Bar in Port Jefferson and Island Kava, which has three locations on the South Shore. If a new one opens, we'll add it.

Roots Kava Bar, Port Jefferson

250 East Main Street, Port Jefferson, NY 11777. (934) 259-8902.

Roots has been on East Main Street in Port Jefferson since 2022. Rob Lattig, a practicing herbalist for 13 years, acquired it from the previous owner and has been building out the menu and the event calendar since.

What you get:

• Kava served the traditional way, in a shell, plus kava mixed into drinks for people who aren't ready for it straight

• Matcha, coffee, espresso drinks and herbal tea

• House mocktails and vegan snacks

• Board games and video games on the shelf, live music, and a lounge with couches

• Friday Night Comedy Night and Open Mic every Friday: sign-ups at 7:30pm, open mic at 8pm, professional Long Island comedians at 9pm, suggested donation at the door

The room seats about 40, and we host private parties for groups up to about 40 with no minimum and no deposit. Hours are 12pm to 11pm Sunday through Thursday and 12pm to 1am Friday and Saturday, with happy hour 4pm to 7pm every day. That late close is a big part of why people come. Most cafes in the village are shut by the afternoon.

Best for: North Shore locals, Stony Brook students, people coming off the ferry, and anyone who wants a late night out in Suffolk without a drink. The menu is online, and so are details on comedy night.

Island Kava: Patchogue, Massapequa and Lindenhurst

Island Kava runs three locations on the South Shore. Here's what's been published about each.

Patchogue

73 North Ocean Avenue, Patchogue.

Island Kava gets credit for bringing kava bars to Long Island. Patch covered its Patchogue opening in early 2020 as Long Island's first kava tea bar. It was started by Ryan LaFlare, a retired UFC fighter who grew up in Lindenhurst, with his longtime friend Eric Ott. Greater Long Island reported that LaFlare got into kava while living in Florida and noticed nobody was doing it here yet.

The Patchogue spot is in downtown, in a space on North Ocean Avenue that used to be an ice cream shop. Early coverage described a menu of kava, kombucha and yerba mate, pitched as an alcohol alternative. Greater Long Island later included Island Kava in a roundup of five Long Island matcha spots, calling out its matcha lemonade.

Best for: a night out in downtown Patchogue, which has a lot going on within walking distance.

Massapequa

Island Kava's second location is in Massapequa. The same Greater Long Island matcha roundup lists it alongside Patchogue and mentions organic matcha lattes and lemonades, plus games and a lively room. We haven't been able to confirm a street address from their own materials, so check their social pages before you drive over.

Best for: Nassau County, and anyone on the South Shore west of Babylon.

Lindenhurst

83 West Hoffman Avenue, Lindenhurst.

The newest Long Island kava bar we know of. Patch covered the grand opening in June 2025 and called it Island Kava's third Long Island location, opened by LaFlare in his hometown. Patch described a menu of kava tea, canned kava mocktails, instant kava sticks and several loose-leaf teas.

Best for: Lindenhurst, Babylon and the surrounding South Shore towns.

What to expect at any kava bar

If you have never been to a kava bar, here's what's the same pretty much everywhere.

It looks like a bar. There's a counter, stools, someone behind the bar and a menu on the wall. The difference is that nothing on it has alcohol.

Kava tastes earthy. It's made from the root of a Pacific island plant mixed with water. Most people describe it as peppery, muddy tea, and it can make your mouth tingle for a minute. Almost nobody loves the first sip. That's normal.

You drink it fast. Traditional kava comes in a shell or small cup, and you drink it in one or two gulps instead of sipping. Lots of people follow it with a piece of fruit or a chaser.

You don't have to drink kava at all. Every kava bar on Long Island also does tea, matcha or mocktails, so you can bring friends who just want to hang out.

Ask the bartender. Tell them it's your first time. They will walk you through the menu and start you on something easy.

The point is the room. Kava has been a social drink in the Pacific for a long time, built around sitting with people and talking. The kava bars here keep that idea going with games, music and comedy instead of a loud bar scene.

If you're in Suffolk and want the bigger picture on going out without drinking, read our guide to sober bars on Long Island. Planning a group? Our private parties page has the details.

Getting to Roots

Roots Kava Bar is at 250 East Main Street, Port Jefferson, up the hill from the harbor and a short walk from the ferry. Open 12pm to 11pm Sunday through Thursday and 12pm to 1am Friday and Saturday. Happy hour is 4pm to 7pm daily. Parking and directions are on our visit page, or call (934) 259-8902.

Kava bar FAQ

How many kava bars are on Long Island?

As of fall 2026 we know of four locations under two names: Roots Kava Bar in Port Jefferson and Island Kava in Patchogue, Massapequa and Lindenhurst.

Is there a kava bar in Suffolk County?

Yes. Roots Kava Bar is in Port Jefferson on the North Shore, and Island Kava has locations in Patchogue and Lindenhurst.

What does kava taste like?

Earthy and a little peppery, like strong muddy tea. It can make your mouth tingle briefly. Most people get used to it after a shell or two.

Do kava bars serve alcohol?

No. Kava bars are alcohol-free. Most also serve tea, matcha, coffee or mocktails.

What's the latest a Long Island kava bar is open?

Roots Kava Bar is open until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays and until 11pm the rest of the week.