A Personal Note from the Founder

There’s something profoundly unique about the environment a kava bar can create. I first discovered this as a regular at The Purple Lotus in South Beach, Miami—where the community of regulars and kavatenders felt like family. That experience left a lasting impression on me, one that I carried with me through many years of operating kava and kratom bars in Mexico.

After spending time immersed in the vibrant energy of Mexico and learning what it means to craft a space around botanicals, music, connection, and ceremony, I knew I wanted to bring that experience to Austin. Here, we’ve taken everything we’ve learned—about hospitality, sourcing, and crafting powerful plant-based beverages—and created something we believe is truly special.

Tulum Botanical Bar is a reflection of those lessons. It’s a space designed to welcome you in, help you slow down, meet new people, and reconnect with yourself. Our kava and kratom are sourced with intention, our recipes are refined, and our goal is simple: to offer Austin a peaceful, inspiring place to unwind and feel good.

Below is an excerpt from one of the books that most deeply influenced my connection to this path, Kava: The Pacific Elixir: The Definitive Guide to Its Ethnobotany, History, and Chemistry:

*"Kava seizes one’s mind. This is not a literal seizure, but something does change in the processes by which information enters, is retrieved, or leads to actions as a result. Thinking is certainly affected by the kava experience, but not in the same ways as are found from caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, or marijuana. I would personally characterize the changes I experienced as going from lineal processing of information to a greater sense of 'being' and contentment with being. Memory seemed to be enhanced, whereas restriction of data inputs was strongly desired, especially with regard to disturbances of light, movements, noise and so on. Peace and quiet were very important to maintain the inner sense of serenity. My senses seemed to be unusually sharpened, so that even whispers seemed to be loud while loud noises were extremely unpleasant.

When the mixture is not too strong, the subject attains a state of happy unconcern, well-being and contentment, free of physical or psychological excitement. At the beginning conversation comes in a gentle, easy flow and hearing and sight are honed, becoming able to perceive subtle shades of sound and vision. Kava soothes temperaments. The drinker never becomes angry, unpleasant, quarrelsome or noisy, as happens with alcohol. Users consider kava as a means of easing moral discomfort. The drinker remains master of his conscience and reason."*

That’s the feeling we hope to cultivate here in East Austin—a space of joy, ease, clarity, and connection. We’d love to welcome you in.