Kava Lounge

2812 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101, USA

Address:	2812 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Phone:	+1 619-543-0933
Site:	kavalounge.com
Rating:	4.6
Working:	9PM–2AM 9PM–2AM 9PM–2AM 9PM–2AM 9PM–2AM 9PM–2AM 9PM–2AM

Location

Photos 29

Reviews 12

A Private User

This is the only club downtown that is worth going to in my opinion. Its slightly off the beaten path, so youre not going to stumble into it while trolling the Gaslamp, but if you take the time to go there, you wont be disappointed. The crowd is typically friendly and good energy, and its really nice to not be in the thick of downtown with tons of cops and questionable people. The ambience is fun and whimsical. The owner really did a fantastic job decorating it with interesting trinkets and whatnots - it has a very home-y atmosphere that is unparalleled in the San Diego nightlife scene. Their drinks are AHHHHHHHMAZING! They have standard, boring, everyday drinks like everywhere else, but if you order from the chalkboard, youre bound to get a cup full of awesomesauce. You really cant go wrong, but my drinks djour there are the Typsy [sig] Gypsy, Jade Kiss, and the Besito. The Typsy Gypsy is a ginger, vodka, lime and agave concoction that is simply delicious. I have tried many times to recreate this drink at home, and Ive come close but have never come close enough. The Jade Kiss is a cucumber and vodka drink that is lovely, refreshing and delicious, and the Besito is their version of a Mojito, only made with basil instead of mint, and your choice of liquor. They also have a wide selection of juices, roots, and elixers that are non-alcoholic, too, and many of their mixers are organic. The drinks do not break the bank, either. They carry two types of alcohol that you must try if you have not tried them before. The Phillips Union Whisky is SO delicious, and they also carry something called Root, which is a sarsaparilla based liquor - it definitely tastes like root beer, and its fantastic. The beer selection is always on point as well. Craft beers for a great price. Once in awhile, the owner makes soup that is available for pretty cheap, and Ive yet to have one I didnt beg her for the recipe. Any time I see she has soup, I buy at least 1 bowl. The staff there is so most friendly staff in town as well, not to mention balanced, amazing mixologists. From security to bartenders to the owner, all of them are kind, beautiful souls. Another key point about the Kava Lounge is the house sound. There are many music nights that are hosted by some of San Diegos coolest DJ/promoters, and the sound is dialed in and bumping, especially for such a small venue. After the Funktion-1 set up at Fluxx, Id say Kava Lounge has the best house sound in the area. If youre looking for something to do and youd like to hang out in a great place, I definitely suggest checking out their show schedule to make sure theyre open (they are typically only open when theyre hosting a night) and head on down there. Youre going to be guaranteed to find the best people in the best spot with the best music in town there.

Angel Salazar

This is one of the last bastions of underground electronic music in San Diego. Each night has a different crew of DJs and decorators so each night you go there has a different vibe and different crowd. Never gets boring! The sound system is excellent and the people that go there are chill, laid back, and non-pretentious. The dress code is pretty much what you make it, but, people tend to dress creatively which is awesome. Kava is my go-to spot almost every weekend now. Pro-tip: Check out their online event calendar to get an idea of what type of act/music will be happening on a given night.

Corey Howard

I consider Kava Lounge to be THEE staple cultural hub of underground music in San Diego. This is where the creators come to gather amongst other kindred spirits. This is the place you go when you want inspiration to meet serendipity! Honest to god, when I first came to San Diego and knew NO ONE, I was ready to pack my bags and try somewhere new...that is, until I found the Kava Lounge. Love this place and love everyone it invites and ensnares... ❤️

David Belleperche

First time at Kava last night. Didnt know anything about it. It is underground. The entertainment wasnt very good. I dont see them in the music industry in the near or far future. Most of the audience was their friends. The place is very dark couldnt even see the check. Its not my kind of place. At least last night. Maybe they have better music I dont know. But service was quick so thats why I give them 3 stars not 2.

A Private User

This place will always have a strange place in my heart. I usually come to Kava under unusual circumstances. Not bad of a beer selection to be so small, the owner is really friendly. Every time Ive been here however, it seems that the police are driving by due to noise complaints. Small venue, so when they have an event that is popular...it gets extremely packed. I cant wait to check out their monthly cumbia night.

A Private User

AMAZING EXPERIENCE! Every time I have come here it has been a lifetime experience (In a good way! :-) This place can become an addiction. The servers are AWESOME! The drinks are AMAZING! The atmosphere... well one time they had a Jamaican artist painting in one room while it was a jam packed dance party in the other. Kombucha rocks and so does the Typsey Gypsy house drink! I will ALWAYS love this place!

Randall Flores

They have some pretty awesome organic cocktails! I had one called the "passionate pirate" I think, it was vodka, lemonade and passion fruit. Yum! I also had a drink that was cucumber and lime flavored but I didnt catch the name. Very tasty! I went to Kava to watch a belly dance performance, which was very cool. The place is pretty small though, can get pretty crowded.

phoenix2consulting

Awesome little place. I am from the Bay Area and it felt like a little burner club in the mission. Nice people, cool drinks and KAVA! If you like liquor Kava may not be enough to mellow you out but if you have friend who like to party and you do not you can get a little chill out and still drive. I recommend the Belly Dance nights too!

A Private User

I have enjoyed myself here countless times to many different kinds of music, especially the best in whats happening with electronic dance music. The dubstep parties are killer, and when they open up both rooms the place gets packed! I only wish they had more psytrance here. Try the kava root drink, so bad yet so good.

A Private User

Interesting bar has a few rooms with crazy decor. They Host lots of different events and has djs and bands play. They have pool and a few arcade game sometimes a 5$ cover but most of the time free. The place has some really cool drinks and there cheap at happy hour ends around 6-8 so get there early for them.

Michael Philip Reed

Excellent bartenders, strange location, fun events and music, kind of gritty ambience. Interesting characters. If I wasnt the kind of person to appreciate the not so normal, I could see myself having issue with Kava Lounge. Good thing Im me, 5 stars.

A Private User

One of the best little lounges in San Diego. They have great fresh organic mixers and yummy organic beers. Chill vibe, sometimes they bring in bigger names and the place is packed! Theres a separate larger room for larger events also.