The Rum Daddy

When you go to New Orleans, and you’re done with all the tourist hoo-ha, head to the corner of Bourbon Street and St. Phillip Street. Built before 1772, this building is one of the few remaining original "French architecture" structures found in the French Quarter.

The legend is that the Lafitte brothers (including the famous/infamous hero of the Battle of New Orleans, Jean Lafitte) operated this blacksmith shop as a front for their pirating ways. Today, it operates as a cool, dark, funky bar with a good local draw.

During the Tales of the Cocktail July 2008, I spent some pleasant hours draining multiple Pimm’s Cups (in the heat, hydration is a must, right?) as well as doing a bit of mixology with a pisco distillery rep. You can be unnoticed by the very nice staff if you’re in a dark or out-of-the-way corner, so don’t be shy.

This is one of the oldest bars in North America, so you have to put it on your ‘must’ list. The bar selection isn’t large, but an icon doesn’t have to be perfect. Go. Relax. Soak up the history with a cool beverage, and feel this bar’s history and atmosphere.

There’s many a business which did not survive Hurricane Katrina. Old New Orleans Rum Distillery was dealt an eight-foot flooding, yet survived it and is thankfully thriving under the leadership of General Manager Ben Gersh. More on their products in the very near future under my ‘Featured Spirits’ tab.

If you can’t have fun in Key West, get yourself right and try again! When you tire of the cruise ship crowd, there’s an oasis at 1117 Duval with an outstanding rum lineup. The Rum Runners House Bar is part of the Speakeasy Inn Guest House, with Robbie Brown and Shane Dimando, your hosts. Shane and his knowledgeable bartenders can walk you through their impressive rum lineup. The L-shaped wood bar is well lit but cool, comfortable, and begs you to stay, relax, and savor their selections. Over 200 rums, rons, rhums, and cachacas rub elbows with premium whiskies, vodkas, and tequilas. Classic cocktails? Premium rum neat, or on the rocks? You’ll find what you seek.

I whiled away a couple of very pleasant hours, sampling rums and conversation with some tourists and a good number of locals stopping by. We started comparing notes, and ended up giving an impromptu seminar to the customers. Hey, they started trying the rums we described, so it worked out well for everyone!

An array of domestic and imported bottled beers along with a nice selection of Fuentes cigars fills out the offerings at The Rum Runners House Bar. Locals have already learned to patronize this establishment. The Speakeasy Inn has a great selection of very nice guest rooms. How can you beat a guest house with its own bar?!? Contact Robbie or Shane at The Speakeasy Inn 1117 Duval St., Key West, FL 33040 1-305-296-2680

April, 2008

Pat Croce's Rum Barrel

A bar next to a pirate museum? How apropos! The Rum Barrel in Key West is part of Pat Croce’s pirate-themed concept. Located at the corner of Front and Simonton, the Rum Barrel has a great selection of premium rums along with the usual mixology and some proprietary drink recipes of their own. Kathy O’Neill and her staff do a very nice job of staff training, and it shows with their professional service. The atmosphere is well lit, dark wood, the expected pirate themes, open, and casual. The dining on the right side is family-friendly, and separated from a darn good oval bar on the left side. The food is very good. Upstairs, patrons can enjoy an open rooftop view of Key West along with a small but well-staffed bar and full menu service; this site holds many a private/public party or band performance. To drink rum while watching frigate birds sail on the thermals is a special treat for me.

My last three visits were very similar: I go to the main downstairs bar before the locals slam the place in the late afternoon (locally derived business in Key West? a very good sign) and order a premium rum, engage the bartender in conversation about the rum, and see what they know. Unless it’s a brand new hire, they are knowledgeable. My only significant criticism: the premium rums are mostly in a back-corner display cabinet. They need to come out and be more visible, perhaps a ‘rum-of-the-month’ with Point-Of-Sale advertising on the bar.

I contacted The Rum Barrel as a possible site for a rum event last year, to be sponsored by one of the newer rum companies. I received a very competitive bid from them, and found them to be easy to work with. Despite the event being pulled by the rum company for internal budgetary reasons, I would not hesitate to consider the Rum Barrel in the future for an event. Check them out at www.piratesoul.com.

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