Kava bar news September 4, 2026
The Kavasutra Split: Which Bars Changed and What It Means
Four South Florida bars now operate as Ron’s Kavasutra, alongside New York’s RonKava Shop, separately from the remaining Kavasutra network. Kavasutra still leads HappyKava’s tracked chains by locations; Kava Culture leads by states. Here’s how to identify your bar, understand the name change, and find the right account for your next visit.
Find your location
Las Olas, Delray Beach, Deerfield Beach, Greenacres, and East 10th Street in New York are the five Ron-linked locations. The four Florida bars use Ron’s Kavasutra; the New York shop uses RonKava Shop. All five appear in HappyKava’s Ron’s Kavasutra directory.
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Ron’s Kavasutra Las Olas
Formerly Kavasutra Las Olas
1318 E Las Olas BoulevardFort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Ron’s Kavasutra Delray
Formerly Kavasutra Delray Beach
2186 W Atlantic AvenueDelray Beach, FL 33445
Ron’s Kavasutra Deerfield
Formerly Kavasutra Deerfield Beach
313 SE 15th TerraceDeerfield Beach, FL 33441
Ron’s Kavasutra Greenacres
Formerly Kavasutra Greenacres
6159 Lake Worth RoadGreenacres, FL 33463
RonKava Shop
Formerly Kavasutra East 10th Street
261 E 10th StreetNew York, NY 10009
Interior photos: HappyKava venue listings. Photographs may show earlier branding.
The addresses are the quickest way to recognize a familiar bar when its name or social account changes. The Florida cards link to BestKavaBar’s existing venue listings. In New York, use the current RonKava Shop profile when planning a visit; the former Kavasutra business identity is recorded as closed.
What changes for your next visit?
The location matters more than the old chain logo. Start with the address, then use that bar’s current account for its menu and offers.
| What you’re checking | What the public record shows | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Name and operating group | Four Florida bars use Ron’s Kavasutra; East 10th Street uses RonKava Shop. | Match your usual address to the cards above. |
| Drinks and products | Ron’s September 3 post advertises Kavaron cups and Hanuman’s Best tea at the four Florida bars. | Ask that bar about the specific drink you want. |
| Promotions | The September promotion explicitly names those four Florida locations. | Check the locations and dates on each offer. |
| Gift cards and loyalty | The reviewed announcements do not establish a transfer or acceptance policy between groups. | Confirm an existing balance with the bar before using it. |
The product story has moved beyond the emergency reopening. A May 30 announcement described temporary Kavaron cups and products at the four Florida bars. A September 3 promotion still names those same bars and advertises Kavaron reusable cups. It also tags their current Instagram accounts, linked in the location cards.
That September post is evidence of what the group was offering then. Its holiday prices are not a standing menu, and it does not extend the offer to New York or the remaining Kavasutra bars. For a regular returning after a few months away, checking the current location account is the most useful next step.
How the split unfolded
The public record starts in late May. These dates follow the announcements and Ron’s published account of the transition.
- May 24 · Separation becomes public. A localflbrand announcement described staff choosing between the group associated with Dylan Harrison and the locations operated by Ron and Kavaron. It was an early public sign that the businesses were separating.
- May 29 · Four Florida bars identified. A joint Instagram post named the Las Olas, Delray, Deerfield, and Greenacres addresses as open. Ronald Van Tassell III, posting as @kavasutra_ron, said the Ron’s Kavasutra name identified the bars he personally operated. He described the banners as temporary.
- May 30 · Kavaron products appear. The product announcement described using Kavaron cups and products to keep the affected bars serving customers. Ron said those products had originally been intended for a separate Kavaron project.
- June 2 · New York reopens, according to Ron. In the timeline accompanying his June 13 update, Ron dated the East 10th Street shop’s reopening to June 2. The current directory identifies that address as RonKava Shop.
- June 13 · Five locations reported operating. In that same update, Ron reported five operating locations and more than 30 employees. He described negotiations as ongoing at that time.
- September 3 · Four Florida bars share a new promotion. Ron’s Labor Day post names all four Florida addresses and promotes Kavaron cups and tea. The Ron’s Kavasutra identity remains in active public use months after the initial announcements.
Which chain is the largest now?
Kavasutra remains the largest kava bar chain by listed locations in HappyKava’s directory, even after the split. Kava Culture has the widest state coverage among the chains it tracks. Those are two different measures of size.
Most locations: Kavasutra
The larger network by listed bar count.
- Kavasutra26 bars
- Kava Culture24 bars
- Ron’s Kavasutra5 bars
Most states: Kava Culture
The wider footprint across state lines.
- Kavasutra3 statesFlorida · Colorado · Arizona
- Kava Culture4 statesFlorida · Texas · Ohio · South Carolina
- Ron’s Kavasutra2 statesFlorida · New York
Same source, same date: HappyKava’s chain directory, September 4, 2026.
The New York change explains why the state comparison matters. With East 10th Street now grouped with Ron’s locations, New York is no longer part of Kavasutra’s tracked footprint. The remaining network spans Florida, Colorado, and Arizona. Kava Culture’s listed locations span Florida, Texas, Ohio, and South Carolina.
These charts use one directory and one check date, September 4, 2026. They compare listed bars rather than announced markets or future openings. Browse the full chain directory as locations open, close, or change groups.
Where can I find the remaining Kavasutra bars?
Use the official Kavasutra location list and the Kavasutra directory. BestKavaBar listings for Lake Worth, Denver, and Phoenix give you starting points in each state. The group also continues posting through @kavasutrakavabar.
What is still unresolved?
The operating distinction is visible in current names, location lists, and promotions. The final terms of the business separation are less clear. Ron’s June 13 post described negotiations as ongoing; the public materials reviewed through September 4 did not include a jointly issued final resolution.
His announcements explain his account of the transition. They do not settle the ownership, contract, or trademark questions. A later agreement could affect the names again. For customers today, the concrete distinction is which location is making an offer and which account represents it.
See the source screenshotsMay 29 announcement + September 3 update
May 29 announcement. The joint post identifies the four Florida addresses and presents Ron’s explanation of the new name. Open the original post.
September 3 update. The newer promotion names Greenacres, Delray, Las Olas, and Deerfield and features Kavaron cups. Open the original post and caption.
Frequently asked questions
Did every Kavasutra bar change its name?
No. Four Florida bars now use Ron’s Kavasutra, and the East 10th Street shop in New York uses RonKava Shop. The remaining network continues under Kavasutra.
Is Kavasutra still the largest kava bar chain?
By listed locations in HappyKava’s September 4, 2026 chain directory, yes: Kavasutra has 26, ahead of Kava Culture’s 24. Kava Culture reaches more states, four to Kavasutra’s three.
What happened to Kavasutra in New York?
The shop at 261 E 10th Street is listed as RonKava Shop and grouped with Ron’s locations. Ron’s June timeline says it reopened June 2. Use its current profile when planning a visit.
Can I use an old gift card at Ron’s Kavasutra?
The reviewed public announcements do not establish acceptance or transfer terms between the groups. Contact the specific bar about your card or loyalty balance before relying on it.