SquareRüt Kava Bar

Congress Location is closed because Barton Springs location is opened… so go there instead 160 Barton Springs Road, Austin TX 78 704. The woman on the phone tonight apologized profusely for my not having been told this but it all had a happy ending and my needs were well met.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t put 0 Stars, so this place gets 1. I was convinced by my friend to try out this place where Flipnotics used to be. The place actually looks inviting, but that’s where the pleasantries end. I asked the bartender about the origins of kava and what she recommended, being my first time to drink kava. Little did I know I was going to be upsold. I was told I had to try all 4 types/​strengths of kava, and that I should shoot/​chug each one. Really? Did they not hit the sales numbers last month, and now they were told to tell customers this line of BS? That pretty much turned the entire experience to crap. Not to mention, the kava tastes like dirt, and the last time I checked, I haven’t had a mud pie sandwich in a long time. Save yourself the agony and avoid this place.

The service with Alicia was A+. She is very knowledgeable and gave us a full description on the whats what with each of the Kava and they serve coffee. Even though the strong, watery, dirt tasting kava is not so appealing to my tastebuds, I did feel the effects, soothing and relaxed with an overall happiness, after a few minutes on just my first shell. My Kava tender Alicia offered up several options in which to ease the taste, I went for a ginger beer chaser. Overall it was a good new experience and I would be willing to go back.

First time trying Kava. Not the best tasting drink, however, the calming and relaxing effects from drinking it make it worth while. I’ll definitely be back for happy hour soon!

A very relaxing atmosphere, great staff, and good kava drinks! Fun place to go to hang out for an afternoon/​evening-​try some different kinds of kava cocktails for relaxation. Kava bartenders will help you decide which drinks to try, and will even customize them for your particular tastes! Highly recommended.

Squarerut Kava is a great place to chill out. The friendly staff, comfortable seating, boardgames and regular clientele make for great atmosphere. The Kava itself is very calming and relaxing, I recommend a visit here for any moment you need to take a deep breath.

So never had Kava before but figured I’d give it a try. The staff was super friendly. I dealt with Alicia (sp?) most of the time and she was very helpful in helping me figure out what strain of Kava to consume.
Sidenote, Kava is pretty strong and earthy but they can add flavor to it (e.g. Nutella or Almond Joy) to take some of the bite out of it. That aside, it was an interesting experience. It may be a placebo effect but I did feel pretty chill.
The space was rather large and nicely organized. Everyone there was pretty cool. The staff maintained a professional yet friendly demeanor with everyone who came to the counter. They even made sure that we ordered stuff before happy hour ended.
Overall, I had a good experience and will definitely be coming back.

Free wifi, Gramatik on the playlist, big windows providing great lighting, unique artwork and a coolio staff… this is THE place to lounge in the south ATX. They frequently have Groupons so be sure to check that out before you swing by. My favorite strain is Borogu which is a sort of muscle relaxant with a mild touch of euphoria. If you want just straight euphoria, have about 3 shells of Waka. They have plenty of games and couches that really set up the environment nicely for a social haven. There’s also about a 42 inch TV for you to enjoy if you sit at the bar.

Trippy stuff, Kava. Terrible to taste but surprisingly relaxing. It gives you a small high kind of similar to hydrocodon or THC but supposedly it’s not addictive… and legal.
Very informative people at this location. Knowledgeable about their products. We got a Groupon to try it with a free growler to take it home in. I wish they had these in dallas.
Kava has possible side effects with you liver so research this before you go full Kava but enjoy!

Kava is pretty great! I am not so into alcohol but I enjoy going to bars. The ambiance of the Kava bar is somewhere in between a coffee shop and a bar, very cool! I really like this place, I’ll definitely be coming back. I also recommend the flavors in your kava as it is an acquired taste. The chocolate orange mixes in very well.

Well, I’m now a regular… A great relaxation and stress reducer! Also, being a non drinker, a great alternative. Ultra chill environment. Get a green card if you frequent enough. Saves quite a bit of $, especially Tuesday, double points day!

This is not an alcohol bar. Kava calms the stress-​jitters without turning people into drunk jerks. It’s an acquired muddy-​tingle taste. I’ve got chronic back-​pain and Kava takes the muscle-​tension out of it.
I’m a regular here and I love it. I come here to get away from the stress of the office. People come here to be friendly and relaxed. It has a casual vibe that’s warm and slow, like hanging out on a neighbor’s porch. It’s the place where I’ve made friends who hug hello and goodbye. The regulars here are awesome and the staff adds to the social vibe of the place.

Hi there. I had the pleasure of meeting Jason at Squarerut last night. Let’s talk about him first. Jason can take someone that is new or nearly new to the concept of kava root and bring them on board in a very friendly, inviting, and professional way. I was not completely unfamiliar with kava but I did witness him introduce some shells to some nervous Groupon guests. He certainly does a good job. With that, I am new enough to the kava world to ask plenty of questions. Jason enjoyed answering every question I had about different menu items and what to expect. Before leaving, I met Tracy (owner) and enjoyed conversing with her as well.
This place is calm and not «too much» of anything. Jason had some island music playing at a low volume. If you have done your research on kava, which I highly suggest you, you will know that kava and loud music don’t mix. That’s what 6^th St and Lone Star tall boys are for. If you are looking for a jungle setting, you won’t be excited about this place. From what I see, they are a business that is trying to make kava a normal thing and not a scene out of Tarzan film. The setting is perfect as is.
Go in and try «The Program» series if it is your first time trying kava. If you like it, add another shell. I live nearly forty miles away but I will at least come back once or twice a month for Monday happy hour. My only disappointment was that they were out of one of their types of kava. I doubt that this is a regular occurrence and I will make up for it next time. I have no actual complaints.
I would say that since there are only about a dozen of these places open in the United States (with 8 of them being in Florida) and that this is the only kava business open in Texas, it is well worth checking out. About the (few) negative reviews… it seems to me that this has to do with the general taste of kava more than anything. I like mine straight out of the dirt but if you want flavor, give them a dollar and you have flavor. You wouldn’t give a pizza place a negative review because you don’t like the taste of cheese, would you? Go to SquareRut. If it’s Monday, maybe I will see you there. — Vandon

I’ve gone here a couple times and I haven’t had a consistent reaction to Kava yet. Be warned that Kava tastes like you’re drinking liquefied tree bark. If you’re the type that can’t get past the taste of something and like really fruity drinks, you may not enjoy the experience. But if you can embrace the taste and get past it, you may have a really good time. The experience seemed pretty relaxing every time, but I felt like Kava never really hit me the same from visit to visit. The first time was probably the strongest feeling. My mouth felt tingly and numb. If you’ve ever tried oral chloraseptic spray for sore throat, it’s a bit similar to that. Then I felt my body completely relax and somewhat had a body buzz as well. It’s a soothing feeling and is supposed to help with stress. There were a couple times where I felt a mild mouth numbing but that was about it. Supposedly if you drink it on a regular occasion, your tolerance actually goes down so the effects should get stronger. But I haven’t drank it enough for that to happen.
For first-​timers, try The Program. You get 3 cups (made of coconut) of different Kava. I’d suggest ending with the Waka which is their strongest strain. If you really can’t get past the flavor, you can try adding in flavors as well. The eggnog one didn’t taste that bad but it’s seasonal.
DO NOT drink alcohol heavily within a few hours of consuming Kava. It enhances the effects of alcohol and not in a good way. It’ll make you feel queasy, and one of my friends who decided to do a Trudy’s mexican martini ended up puking that night. I didn’t drink as much and still felt very nauseous.
The S Congress location has ample seating if you plan on going with several friends. They have several card/​board games available as well if you’d like to play while drinking. The baristas are very knowledgable about Kava, and I’d suggest asking them about the history of it since it’s a cultural thing. Let them know it’s your first time and they’ll give you tips to make your experience better

If you’re looking for truly potent, relaxing effects without intoxication, kava is it. Many herbs, teas, homeopathic remedies and so-​called «anti-​energy drinks» offer these effects but deliver none.
If this is what you are looking for, get over the taste. Because kava is so obscure in these parts, the taste is foreign.
Drinking kava is a ritual imported from a different culture, so leave your American expectations at the door, and you’ll be open to a new experience.
Squarerüt portions their cups so you can down the serving in two or three gulps, which is the traditional way to drink it. Curiously, there is a reverse tolerance, so you’ll have to drink more on your first visit than subsequent ones.
The kavaristas fully explain the process on your first visit. Service is like a regular bar where you order cups one by one and keep a running tab. Music is low enough that you can have a conversation with the people next to you, and lighting is brighter than a dive. Plenty of board games line the shelves at the back. Décor pays homage to the pacific islands where kava is grown.
If you’ve tried kava on your own and didn’t feel any effects, know that preparation involves a learning curve. The folks at Squarerüt know what they are doing. What they serve is actually smoother than anything I’ve made myself.
Every negative review is by someone who missed the point. If you’re looking to get hammered on something that tastes like a Capri Sun, you won’t find it here. If you’re looking for palpable relaxation effects without a loss of mental faculties in a chill and friendly environment and have an open mind then make your way to Squarerüt Kava Bar.

Let me get straight to the point here… kava tastes like dirt water. If you know this going in, you can suck it up and focus on enjoying the experience.
The staff has been super friendly each time I’ve gone, but please don’t bring your high-​maintenance friends (b/​c I have a feeling that would not go over well here).
There is no guarantee you will feel all of the effects described by the kava aficionados you might find online or at the kava bar. I’ve only gone a couple times and have experienced the tingly mouth, relaxed body, and (on one occasion) the slight body buzzing. Nothing crazy, but still a fun time!
There are board games, assorted drawing materials, and books for you to peruse while you take some time to relax here either by yourself or with friends.
Go ahead and give this place a try – the worst outcome is that you can guiltily admit to friends that you paid to drink dirt-​flavored water. ;)

Where to start? Hmmm…
I love this place. I love the people. And of course, I love the kava.
When I have a headache, am stressed or my sciatica is acting up, I head to the kava bar. After a decidedly more intense day at my manual labor job, I had 4 shells of waka kava last night, and was actually able to stand up straight and walk (not limp) away from my bed this morning. Success!
Shelby, Garrett, Davey and Jason are my lovely invaluable kavaristas, I always look forward to whoever happens to be working when I go in. They are extremely helpful, informative, and fun!
I no longer drink so sometimes that kava bar replaces that social setting for me as well. My boyfriend and I love to go on a quite night and hunker down on a couch for a long, deep, philosophical conversation. They do have live music sometimes, which can be nice, but sometimes a little too loud for my taste.
I personally like the south Congress locations the most, it’s closest to my home. But the North Lamar on is convenient from work, and they have an espresso machine, which is almost too much for me to handle. Do I wanna get jacked on coffee, or rooted on kava? Either one, SquareRut is one of my absolute favorite hangouts.

My group for school was looking for somewhere to meet that actually had parking (unlike most of the cafes in south Austin) — so we decided to check out this place. I read a lot of the reviews beforehand and was fully expecting to taste some dirt water and move on with life.
And now, now I am a believer. Thankfully I was the third to arrive in my group, and walked in and witnessed the horribly sour faces the other two were making in trying their plain ol’ kava.
Tip: if you don’t like dirt water, go for the flavors. I think this is where people are going wrong. The barista/​bartender/​server dude obviously loves kava, it’s his jam — which is probably why he recommends trying it without flavors if you have never tried it before, because you know, it’s PURE that way.
Whatever, I got some root water/​juice with coconut flavor and it was delicious. And, not only was it delicious, I felt so relaxed and at peace with life for a good hour or two afterwards. Now, I don’t know if this is because I barely ate this day or if this will always be the case, so I am going to take my fiancé one day and try it again.
It’s definitely worth a try. Obviously, it’s not for everyone, but it was pretty cool in my book.

Body chemistry is an interesting thing. I know people who need 4 – 6 drinks to get dancing. (I love this song! — Me too! — LET’S DANCE! — Oh I need another drink first. — Dammit.) I have an old friend who admitted to being high about 50% of the time; it helps him feel «level.»
I’m easy: with a night of hard sleeping, I’ll jump a photobooth, talk to strangers, hit the dance floor, and perform on stage without prompting. Depressants work like depressants for people like me. Liquor knocks me out. Wine is a sleeping pill in headache form. And Kava is a curious, tongue-​numbing liquid that makes me double over the next day with yawns that threaten to unhinge my jaw.
It’s not necessarily Kava’s fault. The jittery barista came by and talked to us first-​timers about what Kava is and what it does and who drinks it and people who bring their kids to the bar and it’s no big deal and how he hasn’t had alcohol in two years and also that it can help you focus and also that we should get a flight of three to try or did we want just one? and okay he’ll bring it right out.
For Rut’s patrons, Kava appears to be an enjoyable activity: chatting, relaxing, and consuming this off-​tasting root juice brought all the smiles. I added flavors to mine: first the Mexican chocolate, then the lemon cream. Lemon cream absolutely wins. They have plenty of board games and astrological books, and a few people seemed to be studying in the cool-​vibes establishment.
Following an hour of playing IQ games and reading about our signs (I’m under a masculine planet, or something), we got home and passed out hard (which I always do) and woke up still very tired (which is no bueno). Kava’s not for me, but if you’re used to feeling positive effects by ingesting something (legalish) into your system, try it out. I’ll be waiting for you on the dance floor, son. Any given day of the week.

This place is the real deal!
Come for the Kava, stay for an education on this wonder root, leave a little more cultured and mellowed than when you came!
If you never tried kava, make this the place you do! Super chilled vibe and nice, knowledgeable staff!
After my first cup I had a Zen buzz and now I can’t get enough!

I love love LOVE this place. Scott is great and so helpful. He knows his stuff and takes great care of you. I came here for a Unilocal elite event and liked it so much, Mark M and I came back with a friend the next night.
Yes, it can taste icky. Yes, there’s that lovely «dirt water» after taste sometimes. However, Scott will do his best to make sure you fully enjoy your experience here. He made an Orange Coconut Clove mix for me that I highly suggest. It’s awesome!
I love the euphoric feeling without alcohol. I slept really well and my whole body felt great.
I’m hooked and will be back at least weekly for a «fix» and bringing in others for them to share in this experience, as well.
Thanks, SquareRüt Kava Bar!