Stuart

New Elixery Opening in Stuart

Culture Shift Elixery will bring an alternative nightlife experience to Stuart.

Image from Culture Shift Elixery on Facebook

STUART, FL — Culture Shift Elixery is planning a December 19 opening at 2196 SE Ocean Blvd, Stuart, FL 34996, owner Michael Hayes told Business Debut.

What to Expect

At its core, Culture Shift Elixery will operate as a bar and social lounge offering an alternative nightlife experience. Hayes described the concept as a place where guests can explore functional beverages, including hemp-infused drinks, handcrafted mocktails, and a range of nonalcoholic options, alongside beer, wine, and sake selections.

The 80-seat space blends bar stools, lounge seating, couches, and armchairs, emphasizing a relaxed environment rather than traditional dining service. Hayes said the building, a decades-old former cigar bar, underwent extensive cosmetic renovations to revive its character while elevating the overall ambiance.

Culture Shift Elixery will offer bar snacks, light bites, sweet and salty options, and a small raw bar program.

The menu will spotlight handcrafted drinks infused with hemp extract, functional mushrooms, and other functional ingredients. One signature item is the Amsterdam Mule, a twist on a Moscow mule made with ginger beer, lime, and hemp extract. Another drink Hayes highlighted is a matcha-based Yuzu Fizz made with matcha, lemon, mango, and a mango sparkling THC beverage.

Hayes emphasized an educational component, noting that many customers may have seen hemp drinks at retailers but haven’t had a guided environment to try them. “We want to give people an alternative social experience,” he told Business Debut, adding that the team will encourage guests to follow the industry mantra of “low and slow” when exploring lower-dose THC beverages.

The food program includes a curated raw bar designed by Hayes’ brother and business partner, Eric Hayes, a chef with 15 years of culinary experience. The beverage and food menu will also draw from Japanese and broader Asian influences, inspired in part by Hayes’ significant other and partner Aya Maruyama, who is Japanese and will help lead the sake program.

Ownership and Team

The business is led by Michael Hayes, whose background includes hospitality management and work as an immigration lawyer before pursuing this venture. His brother Eric Hayes and partner Aya Maruyama round out the ownership team.

Two of Hayes’ sisters are also involved. Amy Hayes oversees digital marketing and social media, while Katie Huey contributed to conceptual development and interior design for the space.

Opening Timeline

The public opening is scheduled for December 19, with soft-opening events planned earlier in the month. Long-term plans include expanding into daytime operations with a coffee and matcha shop, potentially within a year.