Cities
Here you will find an evolving list of cities. Why you ask?
Have you ever gone on vacation or taken a trip somewhere and spent a good amount of time looking for a bar or restaurant that offers a nice rum selection? Or perhaps you're in a new city and interested in purchasing a new bottle of rum for your collection, but don't know which liquor store offers the best variety. Well as this has happened to me on a number of occasions, I wanted to do something to help.
I've made this list (which is slowly growing), which contains cities and establishments that I've visited and feel are worth sharing. This way, lots of time can be saved by not having to do your own research (because I've already done it), and more time can be spent enjoying that new rum you just found.
Have you ever gone on vacation or taken a trip somewhere and spent a good amount of time looking for a bar or restaurant that offers a nice rum selection? Or perhaps you're in a new city and interested in purchasing a new bottle of rum for your collection, but don't know which liquor store offers the best variety. Well as this has happened to me on a number of occasions, I wanted to do something to help.
I've made this list (which is slowly growing), which contains cities and establishments that I've visited and feel are worth sharing. This way, lots of time can be saved by not having to do your own research (because I've already done it), and more time can be spent enjoying that new rum you just found.
Baltimore...When you think of Baltimore, the first thing that pops into your head is rum right! Well maybe not, but doesn't matter because I found where they're hiding it. Many people I spoke to recommended a place called Woody's Rum Bar and Island Grill, and well hey, it has rum in the name, so it has to be good right. It was a fun atmosphere, and there are plenty of mixing rum drinks like mojito's to be found, but their selection of decent sipping rums was limited to Santa Theresa 1796 and Bacardi 8. So I pressed on, and found Joe Squared. It's a bar/pizza restaurant in the heart of a trendy area, with a great selection of sipping rums. I spent my night drinking Clement XO and Appleton 21, enough said. So Woody's for the fun lively pina colada drinking atmosphere, but if you want good rums, go to Joe Squared.
Joe Squared, 30 Market Place, Baltimore, MD, USA 21202 410-962-5566
http://joesquared.com
Joe Squared, 30 Market Place, Baltimore, MD, USA 21202 410-962-5566
http://joesquared.com
Boston...Head to the InterContinental Hotel, and visit the RumBa Rum & Champagne Bar. Amazing ambiance, nice staff, and quite a good chance, they have the largest selection of aged sipping rums you might find in a city bar. I spent an entire night there with a friend, and got a chance to try many rums I may never have the chance to try again. Check it out!
Rhumba Rum & Champagne Bar, InterContinental Hotel Boston, 510 Atlantic Ave., Boston, MA, USA 02210 617-217-5752
Rhumba Rum & Champagne Bar, InterContinental Hotel Boston, 510 Atlantic Ave., Boston, MA, USA 02210 617-217-5752
Edmonton....If you're in the mood to pick up a new bottle of rum, go to Sherbrooke Liquors. This was the largest selection of rums in a store that I have yet to come across. The staff was extremely helpful and spent a lot of time with me. And if you're into craft beers...they also have an enormous selection. Check out my blog post for a picture of the rum aisle (there were more really high end rums also behind the cash register-not in the picture). You won't leave the store empty handed!
Sherbrooke Liquor, 11819 St Albert Trail, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5L 5B5 780-455-4556
Sherbrooke Liquor, 11819 St Albert Trail, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5L 5B5 780-455-4556
Montreal & Quebec City...When shopping for rums in Quebec, you only have one option, the SAQ. However, not all SAQ's are created equally. There are in fact 5 different types of SAQ stores (SAQ, SAQ Depot, SAQ Express, SAQ Selection, SAQ Signature), and each kind of store is only allowed to offer particular brands of alcohol. The first 4 offer some good rums, but if you have the chance, you want to spend your time in the 'Signature' stores. They have a ridiculous good selection of aged sipping rums..you will feel like 'a kid in a candy store'. There are only 2 of them in the entire province, in Montreal and Quebec City. Definitely worth the extra gas to visit these though.
Ps., little known fact about SAQ, you can buy liquor over the phone at the store where it's stocked, and they will ship it for free to any SAQ within the province, usually by the next day....Vive la France!
SAQ Signature, 677, Rue Ste-Catherine Ouest - locaux R-01et M-31 - Complexe Les Alies, Montreal, QC, Canada H3B 5K4 514-282-9445
SAQ Signature, 2828, boul. Laurier - Complexe Jules Dallaire, Quebec, QC, Canada G1V 0B9 418-692-1182
Ps., little known fact about SAQ, you can buy liquor over the phone at the store where it's stocked, and they will ship it for free to any SAQ within the province, usually by the next day....Vive la France!
SAQ Signature, 677, Rue Ste-Catherine Ouest - locaux R-01et M-31 - Complexe Les Alies, Montreal, QC, Canada H3B 5K4 514-282-9445
SAQ Signature, 2828, boul. Laurier - Complexe Jules Dallaire, Quebec, QC, Canada G1V 0B9 418-692-1182
New York City....What a great city! But after you've spent the day seeing the Statue of Liberty, walking Central Park and taking in a broadway show, wouldn't it be nice to find a nice glass of rum. Well you're in luck, because conveniently located near the heart of Time Square, is The Rum House. The Rum House has a wonderful inside decor which makes you feel very comfortable, and provides a nice escape from the craziness of Time Square. Very big list of rums to try, and quite a few cocktails as well (Fair Maiden was quite nice). Only down side is the price, as the rums aren't cheap...but hey, it's NYC, you shouldn't expect anything less!
The Rum House, 228 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036, United States 1-646-490-6924
The Rum House, 228 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036, United States 1-646-490-6924
Ottawa. If you're a rum drinker and you live in the Ottawa/Gatineau region (me), your bar/restaurant options are quite limited. There are a few however that I've managed to find, 3 to be exact. Not to say that there aren't others, but I just haven't found them yet.
The Vineyards Wine Bar & Bistro is a cool basement wine bar with great food and location in the heart of the Market, but they also have two nicer rums to try, both are El Dorado.
Vineyards Wine Bar & Bistro, 54 York St., Ottawa, ON, Canada K1N 5T1 613-241-4270
The Vineyards Wine Bar & Bistro is a cool basement wine bar with great food and location in the heart of the Market, but they also have two nicer rums to try, both are El Dorado.
Vineyards Wine Bar & Bistro, 54 York St., Ottawa, ON, Canada K1N 5T1 613-241-4270
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Another spot also worth checking out is the Lunenburg Pub & Bar. Last time I was there, they had a few sippers available to try.
Lunenburg Pub & Bar, 14 Waller St, Ottawa, ON K1N 9C4 613-860-2277
Last but very not least, is the newest addition to this list. Salt, is a trendy modern looking restaurant with amazing food, and a decent mid-range rum selection. Definitely a place work checking out. And to date, has the largest selection of sipping rums in Ottawa.
Salt, 345 Preston St, Ottawa, ON K1S 1V6 613-693-0333
Lunenburg Pub & Bar, 14 Waller St, Ottawa, ON K1N 9C4 613-860-2277
Last but very not least, is the newest addition to this list. Salt, is a trendy modern looking restaurant with amazing food, and a decent mid-range rum selection. Definitely a place work checking out. And to date, has the largest selection of sipping rums in Ottawa.
Salt, 345 Preston St, Ottawa, ON K1S 1V6 613-693-0333
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Ottawa...For those of you who love Ron Zacapa XO but can't find it in Ontario or Quebec (not stocked in the LCBO or SAQ), then this is for you. Many people will buy a bottle when they're visiting the States, but this will typically cost you around $100-110 US dollars. However, if you happen to be travelling through the Ottawa Airport, check out their Duty free store, where you will be able to pick it up for $40-50! What a deal.
Toronto + Rum = The Rum Exchange. Toronto's only rum bar, with a wonderful selection of rums and a great atmosphere. The owner, Rumen Dimitrov, is very friendly, with an impressive knowledge of rums, and will go out of his way to make sure you enjoy your evening. Plus, his rum and food pairings are delicious. Check it out if you're ever in the city.
The Rum Exchange, 67 Richmond St. W, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 1W2 416-941-0000
The Rum Exchange, 67 Richmond St. W, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 1W2 416-941-0000