how kava bars shaped the non-alcoholic social movement

In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, we dive into the untold history of kava bars and their pivotal role in shaping the non-alcoholic social movement in the United States. Long before the current boom in non-alcoholic bars, kava bars were creating unique, community-driven spaces focused on wellness, relaxation, and connection—without the need for alcohol.

I share my personal journey with kava, from discovering it during my own sobriety journey to working my way up in the kava bar industry. We'll explore the origins of kava bars, starting with Nakamal at Home in 2002, and discuss how they laid the groundwork for today's non-alcoholic spaces.

This episode is more than a history lesson—it's a call to action. To move forward, we need to understand the roots of the industry and think bigger about where it's headed. If you're an entrepreneur, business owner, or simply someone passionate about the non-alcoholic movement, this episode will challenge your perspective and spark intentional thought about the future of this growing industry.

To learn more about creating a successful kava or non-alcoholic business, check out the Bula Boss program at www.marinamars.com/bulaboss. If you have questions or want to share your thoughts, I'd love to hear from you. Send me an email at hello@marinamars.com.

Listen now to discover how kava bars shaped the non-alcoholic movement and why understanding their legacy is essential for building the future.

Episode cover photo context: my dear friend and fellow kavatender, Maya and I taking a clock-in photo; something our POS system required of us to confirm we weren't clocking in for each other. Our team began to grow fond of these photos and I still have an album of dozens of these photos! Shout out to the #dreamteam, y'all eternally rock and legend of you echoes in every one of our programs <3