Amazing space with amazing staff. Owners Ty and Troy are so knowledgeable and genuinely passionate about kava. They use a special method that extracts significantly more kavalactones (the psychoactive part of kava), which makes this the best and most affordable kava in town! They’re dog friendly too which is always a plus

Such a cute, fly in the wall place! The drinks are amazing & the atmosphere is beyond welcoming & fun!💓

This place is a hidden gem - The owners are great, warm and welcoming to all. Strolled along and found a bunch info from the servers since it’s my first time. Glad to stop by and support these guys - chill vibe, awesome people, highly recommend to give it a try if your on the fence!

Chill place with great Kava at reasonable prices. Has the vibe of a dive bar, minus the alcohol which is a nice alternative to have. Also, the couches there are ideal for naps :)

Dude SUCH an awesome kava bar!! Great vibes, solid kava and I was welcomed with open arms. This was my first time here and I really liked it. I will be back for sure id highly recommend checking this place out for some good conversations and kava. Jay and Andrew were the ones working - AWESOME peeps!!

They serve kava drinks--you can bring your own food. You can also buy kava in bulk--just bring your own growler. The kavatender was friendly. The servings were generous. Their prices were reasonable. It is a nice place to bring friends to hang out. The place looks industrial but clean. We went there last night, and back again today.

+2

Refreshing to see a place that serves non-alcoholic cocktails. The staff is very knowledgeable about the particular kava that is available and will offer a recommendation on request. Love this place ♥️

This place is my safe space. The atmosphere is welcoming, the bartenders are amazing people (with fire playlists!), and the community has become a second family to me. The traditional kava is perfect, but the sparklers are an innovative alternative to the original earthy taste. This is the ONLY bar, kava or otherwise, where I know I won't face discomfort or harassment while I'm relaxing, where I can leave my drink unattended and I won't have any worry about it being messed with. The owners, Ty and Troy, have created and cultivated a community place where you can feel comfortable, relax and exist in a space that loves and accepts you for you. Blessed to have found this kava bar and the lovely people who work there, as well as the patrons.

Hey you, the software engineer reading this. Your company put you up at a hotel downtown for a couple nights, right? Some conference or something? And now you feel like you should get out and see some of the city, so you're on Google Maps looking for possibilities. You saw Rootwater's 4.9 rating and here you are scrolling the reviews. Whether it's a desire for human interaction or just an obligation to not feel like you wasted the trip, you've got a need to get out tonight. You've also got, (and I'm just assuming this because of the software engineer thing, no offense) an unstoppable case of autism and a burning need to know as much about how much a social interaction is going to happen before you actually step into it. Don't worry, I gotchoo. If you go to Rootwater, sit down at the bar and the bartender on duty will come up and ask you if this is your first time and if you've had kava before. They'll explain that it's a mildly intoxicating root beverage traditionally consumed in Indonesia and other Pacific nations, and that it tastes awful. (Both these things are true.) They'll probably give you a sample to start you out, but don't worry about that. You're probably not here on your trip for the experience of mild intoxication and a drink that tastes the way a shelf fungus on a woodland stump looks. The key thing here is that Rootwater is a "non-alcoholic dive bar" and it's socially coded as a space where it's acceptable and expected to strike up a conversation to the person sitting next to you. Since a lot of the people here are regulars and thus recognize new faces, someone might wander over and ask if it's your first time here. For this kind of experience without alcohol being involved, a kava bar is the only game in town. You've got that conference tomorrow and maybe you're not looking to get trashed tonight. And let's face it, if your own intoxication level doesn't match, drunk people are kind of obnoxious to talk to. This is a place where you can get some recommendations on what to do in the Bay Area from a local. So yeah, head down Broadway and take a right on 3rd. You can bring in food to eat. Sunday is bring-your-own-records night.

This was my first time visiting a kava bar, and I really enjoyed myself. The atmosphere was laid back, casual, and very friendly. Everyone seemed to know each other. There is available street parking, it's wheelchair accessible, and there is a bathroom but you need an access code.

A friend of mine in Portland recommended this fine kava establishment. Stronger kava than most places. They make a smooth-tasting grog. Very nice kava tender. Easy enough to find. Looks like Oakland is making a comeback 🤞

Everything at Rootwater makes you feel like you're family. The space is cozy (big enough to hang out at the bar or sit by yourself at s table,) The bartenders are knowledgeable and kind, and they make dang good (strong) kava for cheaper than I've found anywhere else in the Bay Area. I truly cannot recommend this place enough!

I actually dont drink Kava at all BUT unlike other bars it doesnt make me feel like an outsider. They have sparkling water and Gatorade flavors but what I really love is the atmosphere. Anytime I show up, I always have a splendid conversation about something passionate or intriguing with someone there. I also can just relax, buy some sparking water, eat a snack and read a book. It feels so warm, welcoming and safe in this place. The bartenders really know their stuff on kava, before I gave it a try I was educated on the drink, culture and how to enjoy it. I dont go on a regular basis but when I do go, I always feel welcomed and accepted. 10/10 Definitely recommend

Kind, funky, community atmosphere space. Attention to welcoming, relaxing vibe in the details and the mood. Kava is wonderful. Owner was super easy going and helped plan a special idea.

Nice selection of Kavas with knowledgeable staff who can guide you if you've never had the alcohol-free "water" before. You can bring your own snacks and mixers if you'd like to experiment.

Amazing atmosphere, incredible staff. Great conversation, board games, reasonable prices. Traditional kava tastes absolutely terrible, but the cocktails are absolutely fantastic!

The owners of this space have created a very warm and safe-feeling space. I have been here twice and both times I met some really lovely people and had great conversations with respectful strangers. I hate the taste of Kava but it's a very social drink that makes you feel good. The space feels like an alternative to the traditional bar environment, which is especially nice for sober folks (but can be enjoyed by anyone). It's queer owned 🏳️‍🌈 + it's definitely one of the more welcoming and interesting spaces I've visited in a minute.

First time visiting , came in from Ft Lauderdale. Andrew is a gem completely knowledgeable of any kava questions you may have. Nice atmosphere

Deven Parghi

Nice selection of Kavas with knowledgeable staff who can guide you if you've never had the alcohol-free "water" before. You can bring your own snacks and mixers if you'd like to experiment.

Justin Renner

Amazing atmosphere, incredible staff. Great conversation, board games, reasonable prices. Traditional kava tastes absolutely terrible, but the cocktails are absolutely fantastic!

Lizabeth Ye

First time visiting , came in from Ft Lauderdale. Andrew is a gem completely knowledgeable of any kava questions you may have. Nice atmosphere

K Makani

A friend of mine in Portland recommended this fine kava establishment. Stronger kava than most places. They make a smooth-tasting grog. Very nice kava tender. Easy enough to find. Looks like Oakland is making a comeback 🤞

Willow Holloway-Villegas

This place is my safe space. The atmosphere is welcoming, the bartenders are amazing people (with fire playlists!), and the community has become a second family to me. The traditional kava is perfect, but the sparklers are an innovative alternative to the original earthy taste. This is the ONLY bar, kava or otherwise, where I know I won't face discomfort or harassment while I'm relaxing, where I can leave my drink unattended and I won't have any worry about it being messed with. The owners, Ty and Troy, have created and cultivated a community place where you can feel comfortable, relax and exist in a space that loves and accepts you for you. Blessed to have found this kava bar and the lovely people who work there, as well as the patrons.

Johnathan Cooper

Refreshing to see a place that serves non-alcoholic cocktails. The staff is very knowledgeable about the particular kava that is available and will offer a recommendation on request. Love this place ♥️

Maria Demare

The owners of this space have created a very warm and safe-feeling space. I have been here twice and both times I met some really lovely people and had great conversations with respectful strangers. I hate the taste of Kava but it's a very social drink that makes you feel good. The space feels like an alternative to the traditional bar environment, which is especially nice for sober folks (but can be enjoyed by anyone). It's queer owned 🏳️‍🌈 + it's definitely one of the more welcoming and interesting spaces I've visited in a minute.

Matt Boyd

Hey you, the software engineer reading this. Your company put you up at a hotel downtown for a couple nights, right? Some conference or something? And now you feel like you should get out and see some of the city, so you're on Google Maps looking for possibilities. You saw Rootwater's 4.9 rating and here you are scrolling the reviews. Whether it's a desire for human interaction or just an obligation to not feel like you wasted the trip, you've got a need to get out tonight. You've also got, (and I'm just assuming this because of the software engineer thing, no offense) an unstoppable case of autism and a burning need to know as much about how much a social interaction is going to happen before you actually step into it. Don't worry, I gotchoo. If you go to Rootwater, sit down at the bar and the bartender on duty will come up and ask you if this is your first time and if you've had kava before. They'll explain that it's a mildly intoxicating root beverage traditionally consumed in Indonesia and other Pacific nations, and that it tastes awful. (Both these things are true.) They'll probably give you a sample to start you out, but don't worry about that. You're probably not here on your trip for the experience of mild intoxication and a drink that tastes the way a shelf fungus on a woodland stump looks. The key thing here is that Rootwater is a "non-alcoholic dive bar" and it's socially coded as a space where it's acceptable and expected to strike up a conversation to the person sitting next to you. Since a lot of the people here are regulars and thus recognize new faces, someone might wander over and ask if it's your first time here. For this kind of experience without alcohol being involved, a kava bar is the only game in town. You've got that conference tomorrow and maybe you're not looking to get trashed tonight. And let's face it, if your own intoxication level doesn't match, drunk people are kind of obnoxious to talk to. This is a place where you can get some recommendations on what to do in the Bay Area from a local. So yeah, head down Broadway and take a right on 3rd. You can bring in food to eat. Sunday is bring-your-own-records night.

Mikayla Neff

This was my first time visiting a kava bar, and I really enjoyed myself. The atmosphere was laid back, casual, and very friendly. Everyone seemed to know each other. There is available street parking, it's wheelchair accessible, and there is a bathroom but you need an access code.

Anna Bottcher

Everything at Rootwater makes you feel like you're family. The space is cozy (big enough to hang out at the bar or sit by yourself at s table,) The bartenders are knowledgeable and kind, and they make dang good (strong) kava for cheaper than I've found anywhere else in the Bay Area. I truly cannot recommend this place enough!

Harley Trash

I actually dont drink Kava at all BUT unlike other bars it doesnt make me feel like an outsider. They have sparkling water and Gatorade flavors but what I really love is the atmosphere. Anytime I show up, I always have a splendid conversation about something passionate or intriguing with someone there. I also can just relax, buy some sparking water, eat a snack and read a book. It feels so warm, welcoming and safe in this place. The bartenders really know their stuff on kava, before I gave it a try I was educated on the drink, culture and how to enjoy it. I dont go on a regular basis but when I do go, I always feel welcomed and accepted. 10/10 Definitely recommend

Liberata Sinclair

Kind, funky, community atmosphere space. Attention to welcoming, relaxing vibe in the details and the mood. Kava is wonderful. Owner was super easy going and helped plan a special idea.