What is a rum bar? It’s not a beach bar. It’s not a pub. It’s not a tiki bar. It’s not a rum shop. The way we see it, a rum bar is a bar dedicated to the glory of rum, with a list of rums large enough to do justice to the Noble Spirit and a relaxed but adventurous atmosphere that lives up to all of its natural romance. Rum must be the soul of the bar. And as the gospel of rum continues to spread across the globe, we thought we’d do something rather ambitious — put together a list of the world’s best rum bars, including both the best of the Caribbean and the wider world.
Papa Zouk — Antigua
Set on a nondescript street on the outskirts of St John’s Antigua, Papa Zouk is the essence of what a rum bar should be, with somewhere around 200 rums on offer, sweet-sounding zouk and a vibe that makes you feel like you’ve walked into a Bogart film.
Lebensstern — Berlin
Yes, they drink rum in Germany, and Lebensstern has about as impressive a list of rum as you will find anywhere on earth. Just make sure you pick a rum early — the bar might close by the time you finish reading the list (somewhere around 800 rums in all).
Smuggler’s Cove — San Francisco
What’s the number one rum-loving city in America? You might say Miami, but San Francisco has quietly developed into a hub for rum. And there’s nowhere better in the city than Smuggler’sCove, which is, in every way, a tribute to rum (with at least 400 kinds).
Rum House – New York City
New York is still developing its taste for rum, but the Rum House at the Edison Hotel is a world-class bar, with a very impressive list of top-shelf bottles and inspired cocktails.
La Rhumerie — Paris
This Saint-Germain-des-Prés institution has more than 75 years of heritage, and is a celebration of the best rhum of both the French Caribbean and the wider region. It also has some seriously good cuisine.
Rumba — Seattle
Seattle’s not the first place you’d expect to be able to find a Ti’ Punch, but Rhumba has that and much more — with more than 250 rums and classic rum cocktails.
Fish D’vine — Australia
Australia loves a good rum, and this “fish cafe and rum bar” in the area of Airlie Beach in Queensland has an impressive list of more than 200 rums.
Tafia — Tokyo
Japan doesn’t just like whiskey anymore. And at Tafia, rum isn’t just on the menu — it’s the only thing on the menu, with around 300 bottles in total. The ambience is a kind of rum library.
Cubaocho — Miami
The most eclectic of the group, Cubaocho leads a double life. By day, it is an art gallery showcasing the best of Cuban art; at night, however, it turns into a spectacular rum bar that claims to have the world’s largest rum collection (it’s not quite there, but it’s still considerable). Not to mention terrific live Cuban music on the weekends.
Trailer Happiness — London
It’s no surprise that one of the world’s best is in Notting Hill, whose Caribbean carnival is the second largest carnival in the world. Trailer Happiness has a strong rum collection and a creative selection of rum cocktails, all in an intimate lounge atmosphere.
Caña Rum Bar — Los Angeles
Caña is an ode to the Caribbean in the heart of Los Angeles, with a list of around 140 rums. It boasts that “rum is el dictator en la republica de Caña.” Enough said.
Rum Bar — Key West
Set at the Speakeasy Inn on Duval Street in Key West, the Rum Bar is led by “Bahama Bob” Leonard, one of the world’s leading experts on rum. It’s a classic in the heart of a town that loves the spirit.
Qs Rummeria — Rome
Italians have a thirst for rum, underscored by Gruppo Campari’s purchase of Jamaica’s Appleton in 2012. And in the Italian capital, it’s Q’s Rummeria in the hip Trastevere neighbourhood that is the epicentre, with around 200 rums.
La Rhumerie — Guadeloupe
True rum (and rhum) aficionados know that while Martinique is deservedly famous for its rum, Guadeloupe’s rhums are just as good. There’s nowhere better to sample them than at one of our top hotel bars in the Caribbean for 2014, La Rhumerie at La Creole Beach Hotel & Spa. The Gosier-based bar is dedicated to the art of rum, with as thorough a list of rums from both Guadeloupe and the wider Caribbean as you’ll find anywhere in the region.
Rumbar — Key Biscayne, Florida
Tucked inside the Ritz-Carlton hotel on the island of Key Biscayne off the coast of Miami, this is a welcome retreat to a bygone era, with an excellent selection and a luxurious feel, with live weekend music from a 1950s-style Cuban band. It’s helmed by expert bartender Anthony Buddle, a native of Jamaica.