After wandering Grand Lake Farmer's Market, my brother, cousin and I wandered over to Melo Melo thinking we were going to grab a coffee before heading home. Right as we walked in, we were overcome with the gorgeous planted wall and the calming energy of this bar. None of us have ever been to a kava bar before but figured we should give it a try! There were people sitting at the bar, reading a book, and some others chatting quietly as mellow music set the backdrop. We ordered: Melo Ginger, Melo Colada and I had the Melo Dream. The server was very kind and shared with us what kava was (as I'm sure he needs to do all the time). This was the most perfect coincidence that we wandered here. Capping off our lunch with kava was the way to go. Our drinks were served in a hollowed out coconut shell that came with it's own stand (also made from the coconut shell). Everything in this place felt very grounding and calm. As for the drinks, there was a general consensus that the ginger might have been a bit too spicy for our taste, which made it hard to drink quickly. The Melo Colada and Melo Dream were rich and creamy with a hint of fruit. This was such a wonderful coincidence that we stumbled into this bar. We'll definitely be back! read more

I had a Melo time over at Melo Melo Kava bar! it was my first time having Kava and I really enjoyed the experience. Arrived on a Saturday on a whim and was greeted by the kava-tender who went over Kava, its origins, and how it may make you feel. She started me off with a 1/2 portion of kava, went over the ritual and did the shot along with me. Flavor wise, I imagine its an acquired taste.Very earthy since Kava itself is a root, but I definitely enjoyed the feeling of calm that I got afterwards. We also snagged one of the drinking chocolates which were super yummy! Great experience over at Melo Melo Kava Bar! Loved the customer service! read more

Melo Melo Kava Bar - Melo ginger and sipping chocolate - Lounges Near Me - Oakland, California

So I typically go to cava at root of happiness in Sacramento so I've been going for years now go back once or twice a week. I really love it really relaxes me so I went to visit my boyfriend in Richmond and we went to one in Oakland oh my gosh it's so nice. I love the plant wall. The surfer was very nice. It was a different experience than I have at the root of happiness so if you're ever in Oakland and you want to try something different stop in Ta mellow mellow Kayla barand have a drink so they didn't have food and but the surface was good. She was really nice and really informative. read more

Melo Melo Kava Bar - Kava!!!! - Lounges Near Me - Oakland, California

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Melo Melo Kava Bar offers a peaceful escape with its calming ambiance. The drinks are smooth, earthy, and perfect for unwinding, the chocolate and colada melo are my favorite. Either way if you're looking to relax solo or connect with the community, this spot delivers a unique, alcohol-free social experience. read more

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It was such a beautiful serendipitous moment to stumble upon Melo Melo Kava Bar! My friend and I were walking around Lake Merritt and the farmers market when we decided to continue our walk down Grand. We were searching for a restroom when the ~vibes~ and welcome atmosphere of Melo Melo called us in. We were greeted by their friendly staff member who asked us if we've ever had kava before. I had one experience with kava in hawaii long ago, but truthfully, I'd barely call that an experience because the kava was so blended with the smoothie I had. We learned a lot about what Kava is and they were so great to offer for us to try a complimentary cup so we sat at a table to enjoy for a bit. We also got a bottle of water and a small bowl of fruits. If you've never had kava before, it is very, *very* earthy. I tried to sip it, but it looks like folks were also sort of drinking it like a shot so - do whatever feels best for you! If you're not a fan of an earthy flavor, I would say go for a Kava cocktail. That's probably what I'll do next time. My friend ordered a sipping chocolate as well and really loved it. I just thought it was so cool that they offer that - I don't often see sipping chocolate served. The space as a whole had a really chill vibe. I loved the huge windows and the plant wall. Plus all the colors everywhere - very uplifting and love the support for community. Seems like they have lots of events too! Definitely seems like a cool space to hang with friends if you're looking to enjoy something different than alcohol! read more

I really enjoyed my visit here. I got to try the mellow chai and the high tide. The mellow chai was really good. Some might say it is bland, but I really enjoyed it. The high tide was extremely earthy and definitely had medicinal side effects. The customer service was just okay, but in a hall, I would definitely come back here, especially if someone who doesn't need alcohol for a good time. read more

Each time I visit I experience extraordinary service! If you're unfamiliar with Melo or Kava or anything don't worry. They will educate you. If you're a Plain Jane of beverages don't worry. They've got something for you. If you're mellow and looking for a place to relax come on down. They welcome everyone. I am a Plain Jane. I come get my kombucha. I've always lucked into maybe fresh cantaloupe. I drink my kombucha in the parklet. Today I discovered they provide sipping chocolate or hot cocoa! How did I not notice this before? I came inside and sipped a Global Warrior. This could become an addiction! I'm not a choca-holic but this is exquisite. Today I sat inside on the ultra comfy mini couches and noticed they host events here! There is a an upcoming paint and sip! There are even clothing swaps! I'm a fan. read more

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Amazing place for Kava! If you are not already aware.. Kava is not the most pleasant tasting drink in the world. This bar has the most tasty Kava mocktails concoctions you could ever have. The Melo Colada is one I would absolutely recommend. The ambience and crowd here is also very chill and friendly. It's a small establishment with limited seating. It gets packed but people do come and go. You can sit at the bar, reserve a couch or stand around. Lots of couples were here and cuddling. I would say this is a good place for a night out. They have nice ambience, good vibes and great drinks. It was my first time here and I loved it. Parking is no problem. Check them out! read more

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My first time trying kava, and it is an interesting experience. They have the straight kava drinks (kind of an acquired taste) but also some mocktails with kava if you want a more traditional sweet or tropical taste. I got the Melo colada, which tastes like a pina colado and was quite tasty. It seems like a nice place to chat with friends or do some work. The only downside is when the afternoon sun comes in a lot of the areas get very sunny. read more

The water tastes like the word "dank," but it's the most effective beverage I've consumed on a budget and the staff are so nice and maybe I just need to try one with flavor. Loving the music and people here!! read more

Melo Melo Kava Bar - Enjoying the kava - Lounges Near Me - Oakland, California

Update: One of the owners of the bar messaged me to tell me I was wrong. The Philippines apparently is a Tagalog Monolith with no Kava, according to him, and tried to "educate me" on his "knowledge" of Kava presenting his degree in Hawaii as a means of intellectual proofing. He suggested I come to the bar for some "Kava Circle" so I can educate myself. It was the most self-serving and pretentious attempt at an apology I have ever seen. Avoid this place at all costs. Vibes are weird. People are weird. Owners are weird. read more

Melo Melo Kava Bar - The vibes in this place - Lounges Near Me - Oakland, California

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A friend and I were exploring the area when we stumbled upon Melo Melo. I had been to the one in Berkeley but did not know one had opened in Oakland during the pandemic. What a nice surprise! I am quite familiar with kava, but my friend had never tried it and was interested, so we headed in. The space is long and narrow with a very chill lounge vibe. There's a long bar on one side and some colorful couches along the other side, and lots of lush plants for a relaxing atmosphere. As it was my friend's first time with kava, we had the staff explain a little bit about the kava ritual. The staff was very friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. We were feeling pretty good after our first kava. They have a pretty decent selection of kava mocktails and other drinks, and they all sounded good, so it was difficult to choose, but we followed up that first kava with a kava chai drink with just a little bit of agave (we were able to customize the sweetness level since the drink was being made in front of us). The drink was delicious! I could have easily had another, but we didn't want to fall asleep at the kava bar! We'll be back to try their other mocktails, sipping chocolates, and teas, and more! Did I mention they also have an open mic night, a DJ, and a daily happy hour from noon to 6 p.m. when drinks are buy 2 get 1 free? All of the good things in one place. read more

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Found this via searching Yelp as the original place I want to take my guy for his bday was not open. We experienced Kava Kava many years ago when we bought the root from a Polynesian store in South San Francisco. So we headed on over. It is where the Grand Bakery used to be. The moment you walk in, you can feel the mellow (no pun intended) vibe. The kavaista greeted us warmly. She gave us some helpful suggestions as it's been a minute since I had this beverage. I was also pleasantly suprised that they Yerba Mate, something I started drinking in my early 20s before it blew up and became very commerical (ie cans, tea bags etc.) I went with the ginger one. You can have an open tab, which means they are not going to rush you out of there. There are some lovely couch type lounge chairs and a bar for which a lot of folks were posted up with their laptops. a great study or workplace. They serve the drink in a faux coconut cup/bowl and the yerba matte with the traditional filter straw (if you know, you know), herbs straight up not nice to swallows, and that was served in flexible silicone cup. (caution, can be a bit hot with you pick up) We love our visit, except one was kinda messing up the vibe because of their need to be the center of attention, a bit extra and loud. We had to be somewhere, or we would stay longer. Paid for the tab, and the lovely lady gave us a free cup of kava for my guys bday. We also bought some kava so we could make it at home. If you are having a stressful week or just want to chill, this is a place to go. We will be back. read more

Melo Melo Kava Bar - Lounges Near Me - Oakland, California

I love coming here because I can relax and do my homework, but today changed my mind on if I'll be able to do that. I can't use this space to study or relax if they're playing music like "soldier of fortune" by deep purple or queue every single song by Nessa Barret for hours on end. It's just not the vibe yall give and I've never heard music like this here before. I miss coming to hear Neo Soul and relaxing music. Lo-Fi would be better than this. It's been hours please never play this kind of music again it's taking away from my experience read more

Melo Melo Kava Bar - Please don't play this kind of music here - Lounges Near Me - Oakland, California

I was originally not going to post any review, but after seeing how the owner unprofessionally handled the situation when my partner complained.... yeah I'll write a review. Because I think the owner did not understand the premise of the previous bad review, it was this: 1. My partner and I entered the bar and the person at the bar saw us come in 2. We stood at the bar for several minutes and were not given any menu 3. Another couple came in several minutes after us and they were helped before us, which in any establishment I'd say is fair grounds to complain 4. By the time we were eventually given a menu, we didn't even want to order because we were ignored by the server when the place was not even at half capacity. Any way you cut it, that's bad service. Here's what gives me the ick about the owner: they post a public generic "we'll work on it and strive to be better" reply in response to a review , but then they will personally DM you another message entirely about why you shouldn't be complaining and why he is the authority on kava because he went to school in Hawaii... what lol If the owner was less focused on trying to be right and starting an intellectual superiority contest, he would see that the previous review ISN'T saying that kava originates from the Philippines. It about a cultural similarity that we personally experienced from our island that closely mirrors kava drinking culture: drinking in a group, bonding, and having a drinking cup passed hand to hand to everyone in a circle. This is tagay. And this is similar to when the tou'a serves the drink in the ipu to be passed around. But one of the reasons why we left the bar was we didn't see any of this spirit of bonding and welcoming in this bar at all (which is ironic considering its origins). To the owner: We don't need you to "educate us" about how you think we are wrong when we are talking about our lived experience. We know about the tie-ins of kava to our Filipino culture from working with anthropologists in the University of the Philippines. BUT THATS NOT WHAT PROMPTED THE REVIEW. The service we experienced was bad. End of story. And it seems you missed the point entirely. Instead of leading with a sincere apology, you took it upon yourself to talk down to the customer and try to start some sort of intellectual d*ck-swinging contest. I don't see how that is conducive to doing good business in any situation. To say this was handled poorly on your end is an understatement. read more

I've been asking my friends that live in Oakland to bring me here for a while and we finally did. This place has very relaxed vibes and we came on a Sunday evening so it wasn't packed. Right when we walked in we were welcomed by the super friendly staff and we took a look at the menu. This was my first time having Kava so I wasn't sure what to get but I went with the Melo Chai which is chai spices, raw agave, almond milk and kava. It was delicious, the second the kava hits your tongue it's a cool numbing sensation. I would definitely come again and try other flavors. They also have what's called a riptide you can add which is an instant kava boost and they didn't have it today so I'd want to come back and try that. read more

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Who knew a Kava Bar could be more welcoming than a watering hole? The vibes are mellow, and the space is a real community. Strangers will learn your name, and you're expected to make fast friends in the lounge. The music is always good, and sometimes, they have live DJ nights. Bartenders are supremely educated on the varying strains (multiple) and honest regarding fresh vs frozen Kava. Even if you're not a fan of "earthy" drinks, they have a mocktail that will disguise the flavor for you. The best in the West! read more

Dog friendly social alternative to bars! If you don't know about kava, research it or come try it out. Games and kava drinks are a great mix to hang out or catch up with friends. This joint is outgoing, artistic, pretty and very friendly. The employees are kind and fun. read more

I've been coming to kava for a few years now and loved it. But their customer service has dramatically declined. They are not friendly at all. They are rude. The person that helped me did not have a friendly vibe and didn't greet us. She didn't even give me one of the drinks I ordered. Sadly I won't be going to Kava anymore. read more

The actual kava tasted horrible as I expected but I violently got sick after with a horrible migraine that lasted over night in to the next day. It was like instant food poisoning! read more

This place was so incredible I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the employee that was helping me. He was so nice and really made us feel at home. I had a lot of questions and not once made me feel like I was asking too many will definitely be going back back. read more

Melo Melo Kava Bar - Lounges Near Me - Oakland, California

What a lovely place! Came here today with 2 friends to try kava for the first time. We told the (kavista?) it was our first time to try kava. She was wonderful and informative! She explained everything, invited us to ask questions, and made some recommendations. We felt so welcome! In addition to the incredible welcoming staff, the space is gorgeous. One wall is covered in live, growing plants that are all healthy & well tended. It gives a great vibe to the indoor seating space. One of us loves indoor plants & admired their plant wall so much that the tenders let us take home 2 small clippings (plant babies), to grow at home. The lighting & music are thoughtful & pleasant as well. We enjoyed our visit, would recommend highly to newcomers to kava like ourselves! read more

I came here with a friend a few months ago looking for a more holistic approach to a "high," and I had an amazing experience. Upon entering, the barista/kavista greeted my friend and I, we took our seats and were met with an offering of detailed education about kava. I tried two different kinds, and the euphoric high was surprisingly grounding. The atmosphere was calm and inviting, very peaceful and well-decorated. I just ordered the kava kit from their website, I will update my review with more details once received. read more

Such a nice ambiance! The flight of kombucha on tap had 4 very unique flavor (we got 5 for an extra $3). Perfect to share with friends and have an amazing place to catch up. If you don't like alcohol this could be ur place. read more

Melo Melo Kava Bar - Kombucha flight - Lounges Near Me - Oakland, California

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This place has a great ambiance and selection of drinks. The lava is always interesting, the hot cocoa is amazing, and they have great kombucha. Happy hour is generous, and it's a nice touch that you can get some fresh fruit with your kava just because. This is my new favorite way to unwind. read more

The only reason I haven't left a review until now is that I selfishly don't want it to get to popular here! THAT is how much I appreciate this community/kava bar. Please bring the good vibes and an open mind. You might find live dj's, dancing, chess, or maybe even a community. Aloha. (Oh, get to know the "kavatenders." They're all amazing folk who keep us all doing in line!) read more

There isn't a obvious outdoor sign for Melo Melo right now, so go slow when you approach otherwise you might stroll past it if you're walking too fast like I did the first time lol. I've come here twice now. It's designed very similarly to the Berkeley location, love the (real) plant wall and mood lights at night. And like the Berkeley location, the service is great! Definitely sit at the bar for more interaction and to learn more about kava (how to drink, "bula", samples!), otherwise you can sit on the couches for more private conversations. There is outdoor seating at this location, which is great especially if you're not comfortable being indoors. Outside food is allowed. I've heard that fatty foods can intensify the effects, so do with that info as you will. I think there's truth to it! Some folks have reverse tolerance when they have kava, so to feel the effects you may need a lot. They had a Halloween kava drink, I think called Midnight? Or Midnight something, something Midnight? But it tasted like sunshine lol (lemon-lime). So far I've tried the purist, pina colada, ginger, chocolate, and kava dreams (orange creamsicle), the global warrior sipping chocolate and the chameleon kombucha. The colada and kava dreams are my favorite! If you don't like the kava taste you might like these. But for me, the kava isn't all that bad. It does get more earthy/bitter as you get to the bottom of the shell though. You may get a slight tingle/numbness on your tongue. Maybe I'm too used to milk chocolate and sweetened chocolate, but the chocolate drinks I've had didn't taste like much to my taste buds. Lakeshore can be a little tough when it comes to street parking but on a Saturday evening I actually found parking pretty easily! read more

Melo Melo Kava Bar - Kava dream cocktail, kava colada cocktail (favorite), and hemp kombucha kava cocktail! - Lounges Near Me - Oakland, California

The service at this MeloMelo is wonderful, vibes and music are always on point, and the Kava is well worth your visit. Great place to catch up with friends in a no-alcohol environment. Lots of good looking people at this location read more

Amazing staff and yummy drink menu. Always has cool music and laidback atmosphere. Grateful for an alternative to alcohol! Gorgeous charming gem in oakland. Must try! read more

Super friendly staff and a variety of drinks to make the rooty kava taste more palatable - my partner didn't even taste the kava in her piña colada - and a mellow atmosphere with welcoming vibe. Definitely going to be frequenting this place. read more

Really nice ambiance and good pricing for the variety of flavors. I got the flight of kombucha, which was a tray of 5 different kombucha flavors for $12. I enjoyed the uniqueness of the kombucha flavors, although some were a bit too unique for my taste. However, I really enjoyed some of the flavors (like the Egyptian and spice berry ones). Overall, a really cute place to sit with friends and sip some non-alcoholic fun drinks! read more

Melo Melo Kava Bar - Kombucha flight - Lounges Near Me - Oakland, California

Weird vibes. Not particularly welcoming. Trying way too hard to be hipster. Won't be back.

This place was really cool, I think it's a great alternative for cocktails or beer. If you're trying to give yourself a break broom drinking alcohol, come here. The service was awesome and people nice. I recommend the piña colada cava, that was the best one! read more

Staff is very friendly and introduced us to Kava for the first time with a ritual. The Kava Mocktails are quite delicious and me and my partner tried them all! The second time we came back there was fun music and a silent film. read more

Melo Melo Kava Bar - Kava Drinks - Lounges Near Me - Oakland, California

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I've been OBSESSED with their Berkeley location, and I'm super juiced (pun intended) to see them open near Lake Merit. This place is the chillest place for groups and 1:1 conversation, like a bar but without the hangover. I can't get blackout drunk anymore, it's just not fun. At MeloMelo, I can have a drink or two or five and be chill and remember what my friends say. This place is exactly what I want in a chill spot: quiet enough to talk, plenty of couch space, and bartenders who remember my name. They're actually the best part of this place: Even if I don't come with my friends, the bartenders make me feel like I'm in someone's living room. They're engaging and know their product, and they'll sit and chat for a hot minute. I can tell they're genuinely happy to be there, which dramatically increases the chillness factor. Logistics: Dogs are allowed, and there's a bunch of them every time I come. Outside food is allowed - they don't serve food here. 18+ read more

I thank the powers that be that we live in 2022 on the crest of a first wave of kava bars on the west coast. Melo Melo is more than just a place for good vibe, great service, and quality product. Do yourself a favor and pay it a visit sometime! Bulah! read more

Melo Melo Kava Bar - Global Warrior 65% Cacao Sipping Chocolate (front) and Solomon Gold High Tide (back) - Lounges Near Me - Oakland, California

A cool little gem in Oakland! It was our first time trying Kava and Abby gave us a great introduction on the drink and its origins. They were very knowledgeable about the product and walked us through the tradition of Bula and had us participate with a free drink of pure Kava. It was truly a great experience led by a great person! Service was great despite there only being one person working, but Abby pulled through and made it look easy! I would absolutely go again, especially since they hold open mics every Monday. The atmosphere is mellow and colorful, very cool place to visit during the night! read more

Cool spot! I come once every few years to soak up the chill ambience and brainstorm for lessons and blog posts. The servers are very friendly in a genuine way. The space has a decent amount of seats for socializing or working alone. I appreciate the vibe here, and the drinks are a plus! They use almond milk, which is great for a dairy-free guy like me! read more

Melo Melo Kava Bar - Melo Chocolate with riptide - Lounges Near Me - Oakland, California

Delicious kava drinks and relaxing ambiance. Staff is super friendly. Beautiful living art wall. read more

Melo Melo Kava Bar - Watermelon, Ginger Kava and Kola CBD. - Lounges Near Me - Oakland, California

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A friend had her birthday party here and it was my first time trying kava. I really enjoyed sampling the drink selection that was offered and the atmosphere was refreshingly laid back and friendly. read more