London

[anguswinchester]

Great Rums bars to visit in London are

Cottons Restaurants: anyone West Indian who visits London goes here for authentic food and great rum selection... and self titled Rum Edutainer Ian Burrell runs the places...
http://www.cottons-restaurant.co.uk/cottonsindex/index.htm

Trailer Happiness: home of www.therumclub.com and a great rum selection with a Tiki feel... a bit loud and a bit busy at weekends but excellent drinks and staff early doors.
http://www.trailerh.com

Mahiki: a modern Tiki bar cum high-end nightclub with a high celeb factor that makes getting in a bit hard on busy nights... great run drinks... crappy website
1, Dover Street, W1

Artesian: hotel bar that I have not visited but is making a big noise about its rum specialisation
Langham Hotel, 1C Portland Place, Regent Street, W1B 1JA

aw

[Edward Hamilton]

Artesian is certainly trying to become a rum bar and has an impressive selection even if the staff isn't familiar with all of them yet but they are eager to learn. This bar was the venue for the International Rum Tasting Competition 2007 London. Being a hotel bar it is reliably open after midnight during the week. Service is impeccable and selection and staff knowledge will likely improve, though this is a very nice place for your first or last rum drink of the night.

Cottons arguably has the widest selection, thanks to the globe-trotting efforts of Ian Burrell. Other notable bars where rum is highly regarded are:

Floridita which has more rums I've never before seen and the bar staff are more than passionate about the rums they serve and the story behind them.

Lab, where the busy staff combine good rums, ingredients and fast service in a crowded but friendly atmosphere.

Ronnie Scott's, upstairs, an elegant lounge where the selection isn't as good as some of the other bars but the attention to detail and service will call you back. Be prepared to wait for your drink, unless you're ordering a beer, or order a beer to drink while you wait for the bar staff to preform their magic.

The original Milk 'n Honey, worth the trouble to find. Wonderful atmosphere, upstairs, comfortable seating and even better drinks where time will pass faster than you think.

[The Rum Ambassador]

We'll have to do a serious Rum Run ED next October. We'll include SugarCane, South Pacific (2 new rum bars), as well as trailer Happiness, Mahiki and AKA.

[Tiare]

Can you tell me about AKA? never heard about it?

[The Rum Ambassador]

AKA is part of the The End Night club. A separate bar that is used for an array of different events. It has a 24 hour licence, which means they can open at 6am in morning, which they have on many occasions. At last count they stocked over 70 rums on there back bar. the Manager is a guy named Ty but the rum back bar credit has to go to the previous General manager, Phil ( now working for Stolichnaya). He loved rum and knew by having a vast selection he would attract the right type of clientиle to his most successful night to date, (The Player-an industry night for bars/restaurants/hotels etc.) Worth a visit, Great cocktails.

http://www.akalondon.com/

[RobertBurr]

Also, the other Cottons' downstairs Rum Jungle where they wore us out with authentic reggae music, great drinks and appetizers -- and those wild Brazilian dancing girls! (were they Brazilian? They weren't wearing enough to be absolutely sure) Photo evidence provided.
http://giftedrums.com/JPEG/0910DancerRob360.jpg

[RobertBurr]

I seem to remember quite a few rums at the bar at Cottons.

here's only a partial view...

http://giftedrums.com/JPEG/0874CottonsRums480.jpg

[RobertBurr]

The Artesian Rum Bar at the Langham Hotel has an impressive menu of spirits (http://giftedrums.com/PDF/Artesian_Spirit_menu.pdf) but it seems to attract a "bad" crowd during the tasting events.
http://giftedrums.com/JPEG/0937Tasting480.jpg
http://giftedrums.com/JPEG/0942Judging480.jpg

[RobertBurr]

RumFest UK in London attracted an elite group of rum experts, such as Ed Hamilton of the Ministry of Rum; David Morrison, senior blender for Appleton; Dave Broom, celebrated author; and at least one wannabe rummy who sneaked into this photo when no one was looking.
_

http://giftedrums.com/JPEG/1039EdRobDavidDave480.jpg
-
Our own IP Bartender Paul McFadyen couldn't resist having a chuckle when I asked him how far he had to chase that fellow to get those cool tropical underwear.
_
http://giftedrums.com/JPEG/1034PaulRob480.jpg

[Hank Koestner]

With all the rums available to taste in the UK, I would have to stay a month. Alright, a long weekend at least. Great pics!!

[RumBarPhilly]

All these bars and great events in the UK makes me very envious. Sure, Ive got my bar, but Ive been there a lot! I wanna try a different rum bar! :)

[Edward Hamilton]

With all the rums available to taste in the UK, I would have to stay a month. Alright, a long weekend at least. Great pics!!

A long weekend won't even begin to cover London, but it's worth a try.

[Tiare]

Nice pics Robert!

A long weekend won't even begin to cover London, but it's worth a try.

That means a week is a minimum stay..luckily for me its cheap to go to London from Sweden.:)

[The Rum Ambassador]

All these bars and great events in the UK makes me very envious. Sure, Ive got my bar, but Ive been there a lot! I wanna try a different rum bar! :)

Hey don't be envious. I've never drunk a rum in a rum bar in Philly before. I can't wait to do that...

[RumBarPhilly]

Hey don't be envious. I've never drunk a rum in a rum bar in Philly before. I can't wait to do that...

I think i can dupe my wife into a vacation to England next summer. Ill tell her that ive always wanted to visit buckingham palace. Well get there and ill sgow her our itinerary. itll be full of rum bars and no buckingham palace. haha!

[RobertBurr]

how about BuckingRum Palace? We'll plaster a new sign outside the Floridita.

[The Rum Ambassador]

Hey Prince Charles, I happen to know does like Appleton Rum, and Prince Andrew had The British Royal Navy imperial ($4000 per demijohn) rum served at his wedding to Fergie. So you might get a rum at Buckingham Palace....

[RumBarPhilly]

Hey Prince Charles, I happen to know does like Appleton Rum, and Prince Andrew had The British Royal Navy imperial ($4000 per demijohn) rum served at his wedding to Fergie. So you might get a rum at Buckingham Palace....

Ah, the subtle differences between our two countries... At the White House, the main alcohol you are likely to find would be kegs of Milwaukee's Best

[frenchrumlover]

keep an eye for the barrio north bar on Essex road north London they have a good rum selection too and their staff are extremely knowledgeable .
i heard they are going to open another bar specialise on rum, on upper street in a few month

[The Rum Ambassador]

Isn't that the bar where you work ?

[frenchrumlover]

it is indeed but at the time of this post i was just one of their most regular rum drinker cos i leave just around the corner .
and the way ian ,that was really nice to meet you at the trois riviere rum testing hosted by speciality drink.
and i m still waiting for you to come around at the barrio
are you gonna be be at the ipbartenders rum testing on wednesday 26 th march or not?

[The Rum Ambassador]

Sorry, I'll be in Italy doing some work for Appleton Rums and The Rum Experience. We're looking to organise a RumFest in Italy next year. But I will pop by once I'm back for a rum or two.

[mac]

Don't overlook the excellent food at Cottons. The Rum Drinks are great and one that was made with a stout beer was unusual and refeshing but the food was outstanding especially for a palate deprived London !!!!!!

[RobertBurr]

one that was made with a stout beer was unusual and refreshing

I believe that was the Strong Back, made with dragon stout, J. Wray and Nephew overproof, condensed milk (and nutmeg?) blended with ice. Real different. Son Robert could not resist trying that one.

[gatomalo]

There are lots of suggestions in this thread for rum drinking in London, however many of them seem to be restuarants or hotel bars and according to the research I have done, most of them are not cheap. Take Artesian for example. According to a pdf I found of their 2007 menu (see below), they charge Ј16 for a glass of Ron Zacapa 23. I also noticed that English Harbour 5 years is Ј7.50 a glass. However, I bought a bottle of this in Waitrose for Ј13.99 last week! I appreciate that you're paying for more than just the rum when you drink at a bar, but for the price of an evening spent at Artesian I could probably take a short break in Spain.

http://london.langhamhotels.co.uk/pdf/DrinkMenuJul07.pdf

I would like to find a bar in London - as opposed to a restaurant cum bar - which serves a decent range of reasonably-priced rum. It doesn't need to be elegant like the Artesian or pretentious (sorry) like Floridita, just a simple bar with a good crowd and a varied selection of reasonably-priced rum (I drink my rum neat and rarely drink cocktails). Does such a place exist?

I've heard some people mention Trailer Happiness in Notting Hill, however I cannot find any information on their website about their rum selection or prices. If anybody has any info please let me know! Thank you for your help!

[BarNowON]

Have you checked out Cotton's on Charlk Farm Road (Candem Town - Zone 2), opposite to the Old market.
Rum bar / Carribean Restaurant - Great rums, and you can afford to taste all of them (if you can).
Cheers

[gatomalo]

Have you checked out Cotton's on Charlk Farm Road (Candem Town - Zone 2), opposite to the Old market.
Rum bar / Carribean Restaurant - Great rums, and you can afford to taste all of them (if you can).
Cheers

Thanks for the recommendation! I have heard about Cotton's so I might have to make the trek up there (it's a long way from where I live in South London though). When is the best time to go? Weekdays? Early Saturday evening?

Is it the kind of place where I can just go in, sit happily at the bar and quietly drink my way through a few rums?

[The Rum Ambassador]

Is it the kind of place where I can just go in, sit happily at the bar and quietly drink my way through a few rums?

Most people think so, but if you're looking for a quieter drink and a chance to chat with the knowledgeable bartenders then go to Cottons on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. It's quieter at the bar on those days. About 280 rums to sip and savour.

[gatomalo]

Most people think so, but if you're looking for a quieter drink and a chance to chat with the knowledgeable bartenders then go to Cottons on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. It's quieter at the bar on those days. About 280 rums to sip and savour.

Thanks! I think I will definitely go and check it out!

While on the subject of bars, I seem to remember passing by a Cuban place near Clapham Junction some time last year. I was not sure which road it was on and I have tried to find it since but had no luck. Does anybody happen to know the bar I'm talking about?

[lukehart]

I work in a very small coktail bar in the East End called the Redchurch, our main focus is Rum and Gin. While prices for high end rums do have to be up there I like to think we keep it pretty reasonable. I'd invite anyone to stop by and check out our selection.

Redchurch Bar
107 Redchurch Street
E2
North end of Brick Lane.

[Berbician]

I'm on my way.

[gatomalo]

I work in a very small coktail bar in the East End called the Redchurch, our main focus is Rum and Gin. While prices for high end rums do have to be up there I like to think we keep it pretty reasonable. I'd invite anyone to stop by and check out our selection.

Hello Luke, can you let us know what kind of a selection you've got? Thanks!

[TheDutch]

Just a quick mention for the St. James pub in Brighton, which I am aware is not London, but is only a daytrip away so may be interest to those reading this. It specialises in rum, and sports nearly 80 varieties on their price list:

Website: http://myrumclub.com/index.html

[Berbician]

Very impressive rum list, and the prices are quite reasonable. If only it was a little closer to London. Still, it's a good reason for a day trip.drooling3.gif

[gatomalo]

Just a quick mention for the St. James pub in Brighton, which I am aware is not London, but is only a daytrip away so may be interest to those reading this. It specialises in rum, and sports nearly 80 varieties on their price list:

Website: http://myrumclub.com/index.html

Thanks for letting us know! That's without doubt the best rum list I've ever seen for a pub. I'll be heading down to Brighton/Hove in the summer so I look forward to checking it out.

[gmarket]

check out the Evening Star too (on Surrey Street, just down from Brighton train station). while it's not a rum place, it does the best real ales and is a godsend when the trains aren't running on time!!