PREMIUM
SPIRITS MARKETING AND CONSULTING |
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
PAUL ARTRIP Archive
|
|
||||||||||||||||
The Rum Runners House
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
email: info@1117duval.com
web: The Speakeasy Inn
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.
List your BAR on this website- Ask for details!
