Bill Kottkamp performing his comedy set at Kavahana. Photo by Marisa London.
LOS ANGELES– A white tent with a disco ball bathes the audience in a glow as laughter floods the outdoor patio at Kavahana. On the evening of March 4, Kavahana in Santa Monica hosted its weekly comedy night. The crowd was small yet lively and ready to watch with their cups of kava. Kavahana strays from the typical bar scene– it serves kava, a drink from a root known as the kava root, which is in the pepper family and native to the Pacific islands. Its main draws are a slight tingling in the mouth and a calming sensation. This is the main attraction of the bar and what most customers come for. Those looking for alcohol will not find it at Kavahana, and results in a more laid back and relaxing environment.
In order to attend the show, attendees must purchase a drink and then make their way to the large outdoor patio. Once outside they will be met with plenty of chairs to pick from under a big tent with warm heaters and a disco ball hanging from the ceiling, all facing the stage where the comedians will perform.
“Ever since I was younger I’ve always heard that laughter is the best medicine, but ever since experiencing Kavahana comedy nights I truly have gotten a taste of real quality humour and learned what community really looks like,” said Joshua, a bartender at Kavahana.
The event featured a varied lineup of around 10 comedians– some local, some visiting from far away. Each brought their own style of comedy and energy to the stage. The event took place for a couple of hours and although long, the audience remained engaged and laughing. The crowd dwindled down as the event went on but the comedians continued performing to the intimate crowd. This small crowd allowed the comedians to perform a multitude of crowd work and many stuck around until the very last joke.
“At Santa Monica comedy nights Kavahana, we have a really laid back vibe. As a host especially, I set that tone. It’s like a backyard kickback where you can hang out,” said Bill Kottkamp, a comedian and host of Kavahana comedy night.
One of the most notable aspects of the night was the energy. Without alcohol as the center of the event, people were especially calm and giggly. The kava helped people relax, which made the entire outdoor patio a safe haven where guests could socialize and take a moment for themselves. Especially when other comedy events might dislike the rowdiness of the crowd, here at Kavahana people can come as they are and have a good time. The crowd stuck around for most of the night to watch the closing set from Kottkamp.
“My favorite part is getting to do sets for the regulars who come a lot to see my sets at the end of the night,” said Kottkamp.
Many customers enjoy the event so much that they become loyal attendees, returning each week.
“I like coming to Kavahana because I get to see new comedians and also see new sets from the ones that I know and love. It’s a nice community and I always have fun,” said Ella Garvin, an attendee at Kavahana comedy night.
When guests find out about the event, it is often through Kavahana or the comedians themselves, as it is not widely advertised. This makes finding the event a much more personal experience. Despite the comedy night’s weekly occurrence, it still feels special and like a hidden gem in the city of Los Angeles.
