Although Swamp Cow Kava Lounge is a “new” establishment - and the first of it’s kind in the Seattle area - the group of owners are far from new to understanding the qualities and benefits of kava, etc. The owners of Swamp Cow have been long-time consumers and aficionados of K & K and as such have regularly incorporated both into our personal as well as professional lives over the last decade+. Along the way, we have met many passionate patrons as well inspirational leaders and owners within the kava bar industry. We’ve also had the privilege of visiting and imbibing at several different kava bars all over the country during some of our travels.

As a result, at the beginning of 2023 the owners of Swamp Cow finally decided that Seattle could no longer wait for someone else to start a kava bar so we put our goals and ideas on papers, consulted with others in the industry, and formed our group. We then combined our resources and professional experience and expertise, and made the decision that we would need to be the ones to get it done. Unfortunately, Public Health Seattle & King County did not share our vision and after almost 4 months of waiting for their permit inspection, they gave us a “HARD NO” saying that no one in King County is allowed to “serve” Kava due to the findings in a FDA memorandum in 2020.

So even though kava is fully federally legal, it is strictly up to the jurisdictional county as to whether or not they choose to allow serving it as they consider serving kava in a prepared beverage to be a form of adding it to “conventional food”. We know… it doesn’t entirely make sense to us either but that’s the decision they’ve made. And that ultimately explains why there are no kava bars in Seattle (for all of you who have asked us repeatedly over the years)!

So with that decision, what was originally intended to be Swamp Cow Kava Bar became Swamp Cow Kava Lounge. However, this did not dissuade us but simply changed our goal from SERVING kava etc., to providing kava etc. for sale in a relaxing and comfortable social establishment. We don’t perceive this ruling as a wall but rather a speed bump in our journey as we will never give up on our ultimate goal of being able to serve Kava to the public whom deserves healthier natural options to alcohol and other toxic substances.

In the meantime, what you will find at Swamp Cow Kava Lounge is a warm and welcoming retail shop offering a variety of common as well as unique and specialized prepackaged and branded kava etc. products for purchase. We carry premium grade top-shelf brands and products as well as more affordable every-day products. We present it all in a healthful and positive environment where individuals can meet and connect with other health-conscious patrons. Although we carefully curate our collection of brands and products, we are not interested in “selling” these products to anyone. Our passion is to simply make them available in a safe and informed environment.

After your purchase you will find ample comfortable and cozy seating in a casual and ambient environment conducive to meeting and connecting with others, enjoying local artists, and exploring plenty of books and games to enjoy an ”unplugged” moment if you choose to do so.

We offer free WiFi and have fairly extensive audio and video systems available for events such as performing artists, karaoke nights, artist highlight video series, local sporting events, and more. And friendly dogs on-leash are welcome to hang-out at Swamp Cow too!

We are appreciative and excited that you’ve chosen Swamp Cow Kava Lounge to interact with everyone and learn more about the comradery that exists within the kava culture that has been missing from Seattle for way too long!