At 1731 University Ave in Hillcrest, Kava Collective operates one of the only bars in the country that brews kava in the traditional South Pacific fashion, sourcing root strains from Fiji, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands. The evening-format sober bar offers a different experience from dinner-focused spots like DASHI, which serves Japanese-inspired plates a few blocks west on University Avenue. Kava Collective steeps each batch quart by quart from ground root, producing a mildly sedative, non-alcoholic beverage alongside a secondary menu of kombucha, espresso, and matcha lattes. Daytime caffeine seekers can pivot to Mnemonic Coffee for single-origin espresso pulls when they want a stimulant rather than a relaxant. The venue doubles as a live music stage and community events space, hosting art shows, book signings, and group kava ceremonies that require communal shell service and large-format root preparation for private gatherings.