San Francisco

[Edward Hamilton]

I leave a little piece of my heart in San Francisco every time I leave.

The list varies but here's a start, in no particular order-
Slanted Door - pretty hard to beat for a drink and an appetizer even if you don't have time for dinner.
Presidio Social Club - a few good rums in a nice atmosphere and good drinks
Rye - unless it's a weekend when it's too busy for my taste
Del Posto - the bartenders are interested in more and new rums
Absinthe - very good rum selection and knowlegable staff.
John Collins - great spot for an early, or late, drink with an improving selection of rums.
Starlight Room - good rums, good staff and an incredible view of the city

and east across the Bay
Forbidden Island - one of the best rum selections in the country and they know what to do with them

[Scottes]

I stumbled across this page for Hobson's Choice, a bar that states they have the largest rum selection of any bar in the country. They list 121 rums.
http://www.hobsonschoice.com/rums.html

[Edward Hamilton]

Hobson's Choice does have quite a few rums on their shelf, I like the place. But when I'm looking for a rum bar I prefer a bar that specializes in more than a few core rums from one distiller. Just as a note, there weren't 121 rums on the shelf the last time I was in Hobson's a couple of months ago.

But don't despair, there is at least one new bar coming to San Francisco which will be pouring more than 50 different rums with an emphasis on pouring all of them.

[woody9six]

Good ol' Alameda! I'll have to go check out Forbidden Island. That looks right up my alley.

[Edward Hamilton]

I finally made it to Cantina Bebidas yesterday and found a few old friends at the bar. There is no sign yet, not that they're trying to be cool they've just been too busy getting other things together, like the great drinks menu.

Definitely worth checking out while you're in SF though there is still a lot to more to come from this hard working staff.

[durty mick moon]

damn...just returned from a week in san fran...was looking for interesting bars, wish i had seen this post before i left...next time i'll know to check here before going somewhere...oh, and thanks for all your good work (writing, research, tasting)....we need more people with passion! (fav rums at present: Zacapa 23 yr. old, santa teresa 1796!!!!)....cheers

[martincate]

Thanks for the kind words, Ed.

If anyone is ever coming to the SF Bay Area, please drop me a note- we'd love to welcome you.

Best regards,

Martin Cate
Owner
Forbidden Island

www.forbiddenislandalameda.com

[RumBarPhilly]

Originally Posted by Scottes

I stumbled across this page for Hobson's Choice, a bar that states they have the largest rum selection of any bar in the country. They list 121 rums.
http://www.hobsonschoice.com/rums.html

Wow, looks like Ive got something to shoot for! Were getting close to 121, were at 103 or 104 right now, with 1 more on the way.

Interesting note, I see Hobson's Choice has rums from Manila. I didn't know the Philippines imported any rums to the U.S., my father in law (Filipino) is bringing me back a bottle of Tanduay on his trip in January.

[martincate]

Tanduay is in the US- I have seen it at a few retailers. May only be in places like CA with a big Filipino population.

Certainly RumJungle has more rum than Hobson's Choice. But more doesn't always mean better. Hobson's is a nice bar to visit, however- great people.

[Edward Hamilton]

It isn't nearly as hard to put together a large list as it is to know what to do with it. As sailors know, the size of the yacht matters, but it's the motion on the ocean that makes the difference.