Kava is key at Gateway area’s new Lucid Coffee Bar

Lucid Coffee & Kava, the latest addition to Pinellas County coffee culture, will host its grand opening celebration Saturday and Sunday, 5-11 p.m.

The 1,700-square-foot shop is located at 10328 Roosevelt Boulevard North in St. Petersburg.

Lokesh Vale, who is also the owner of the Twisted Indian restaurant and food truck, partnered with Abram Jacobson, vice president of sales for Pure Infinity Botanicals (a kava and kratom tea distributor) and Amar Nathwani of Barkett Realty. 

Choosing the Gateway neighborhood was a vital strategic move.

“We toured a lot of St. Pete to find somewhere that was just underserved,” Nathwani explained. “Central Avenue downtown gets a lot of love.”

“This is in the Tri-City area – we’re right before the Howard Frankland [Bridge], so people going from Tampa to St. Pete, St. Pete to Tampa or to Clearwater, they’re going to be passing through our area,” added Jacobson. “We have a ton of traffic, and what we’re trying to capitalize on are the working professionals who want to get stuff done.”

According to Nathwani, “People are looking for a nice cup of elevated coffee, and they want a slightly more elevated place to hang out, and go on a date, or hang out with a friend.”

For the owners, adding kava to the menu was a way to stand apart.

Kava is a pepper plant that is well known for its relaxing benefits. Traditionally used as a ceremonial drink in the Pacific Islands, it has gained staggering popularity in the United States with the recent trend of kava bars. 

“The closest kava bar is about 50 blocks away,” Vale said.

Kava, the owners believe, is a safe alternative to drinking alcohol at night.

“The kava concept came because usually coffee shops close at 2, 3, 4, 5 p.m., but kava shops usually stay open until late, like midnight and stuff, so that’s why we wanted to serve kava – once the sun goes down people have an alternative, still hanging out with friends and still being sober and able to drive home without being in danger,”  Vale said.

Such an experience aligns with Millennial and Gen Z health preferences, too, they believe.

“It’s the first time in our country’s history where this younger generation is disinterested in alcohol,”  Jacobson said. “Not saying they don’t ever drink, but they drink less than a lot of the older generations. I mean I can attest to that.”

The coffee and kava bar has both indoor and outdoor spaces. Live music and other events are planned.

Lucid Coffee & Kava will be serving coffee from Savage Coffee Roasters, an award-winning St. Pete-based company. This dedication to offering local products is one way the owners hope to compete with big-name chains.

Beyond coffee and kava, the bar also offers kratom tea, kombucha, macha, a variety of herbal teas and pastries.

Lucid Coffee & Kava opened its doors to the public June 14 with a limited menu.