‘Alcohol alternatives’ and community aid

BY RACHEL LORENZ SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Whether it’s shooting pool or bowling with friends, one Colorado business owner noticed it’s hard to go out in the evening and not end up near folks drinking.

“All of our social time is all spent around alcohol,” Ryan Gnieski told Colorado Community Media. “ ere’s got to be something better than that, you know? We o er that alternative.”

Gnieski recently opened at’s Kava, a bar that serves kava and other non-alcoholic beverages, on South Broadway in Englewood.

Kava is a tea-like drink made from the root of a plant

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in the pepper family, found in the South Paci c islands. Served cold in a small bowl that mimics a coconut shell, kava has a relaxing e ect but doesn’t a ect your motor skills, Gnieski said.

“It acts as a social lubricant, loosens your shoulders, makes you a little more talkative — but it doesn’t impair your judgment,” said Samuel Annes, the administrative operations manager at at’s Kava.

With a bright pink and blue color palette and a 10-foot marlin above the bar, the new hangout spot exudes a Florida vibe. at’s an homage to the state where Gnieski grew up and rst learned about kava nearly two decades ago.

In addition to kava, the new business serves tea, coffee, Red Bull and drinks containing kratom, a Southeast Asian plant known for its stimulant-like e ects. ere’s a pool table in the back, and while there isn’t any food on the menu, Gnieski encourages people to bring in a snack from one of the neighboring eateries.

“With kava, it’s all about community,” he said. “I’m just about bringing people together.” at’s Kava is registered as a nonpro t corporation with the State of Colorado. Gnieski, who also founded a kava bar in Lakewood and owns a trading card game store in South Florida, said the money at’s Kava earns will go back towards operating expenses. Any extra will be used to help local charities and organizations in the community. He envisions picking out four or ve Englewood groups each quarter and letting his customers vote on which should receive the business’s surplus.

“We’re just trying to o er alcohol alternatives while trying to help out local com- munities,” Gnieski said of his latest endeavor. at’s Kava, decorated with balloons and streamers, celebrated its grand opening June 17 by staying open for over 24 hours. e event included party food, a photobooth, a ra e and drink specials. Just before 8 p.m., two rattan chairs and a little love seat were moved out to make room for the live DJ that took the chill vibe of the packed bar up a notch or two. Normally the music’s kept at a low volume and the atmosphere is relaxed, Gnieski had said earlier.

But they only have one grand opening, Annes conceded with a smile as he surveyed the lively scene.

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