The countdown has officially started to National Rum Day, a country-wide celebration of a truly tantalising tipple. That’s certainly a date we can get behind here at NE1, and August 16th will have us reaching for the lime and coke. Read on for the lowdown on where you can join in the celebrations.
COLONEL PORTERS
Colonel Porter’s Emporium is the bar and tavern making a name for itself as the finest place in the toon to get rum (or should we say rhum.) The brains behind it keep things strictly classic with an old fashioned vibe that manages to stay current and bang on trend, from its moody interior to its stunning cocktail menu. The bar takes the view of ‘if it ain’t broke, why fix it?’ with a range of traditional rum cocktails including the Mai Thai, Daiquiri and the Dark and Stormy, as well as a couple of special creations of their own. They’ve even created unique Tipsy Teas which alongside tea and cake incorporate, you guessed it - rum! We’re converts, and we’re blaming Colonel Porter’s!
BONBAR
Can we take a moment to appreciate Bonbar’s outstanding rum menu? The glitzy little nightspot at Newcastle’s Assembly Rooms has a fabulous range of over ten rums to choose from, available with your choice of mixer. Whether you’re taking a sip while clubbing with friends on a Friday night or enjoying a sophisticated tipple with someone special, Bonbar is the perfect place to enjoy the taste of rum. You can even book a private booth and celebrate official National Rum day in style. Any chance of making it a national holiday?
TURTLE BAY
What better place to sample a rum or two than Newcastle foodies’ current Caribbean crush Turtle Bay? The cool spot makes a whole bunch of rum cocktails that promise to transport you to the sandy beaches of Jamaica with just one sip. The dessert-like Tease Me is full of the creamy flavours of kahlua and banana, while the Bay Bramble adds a hit of rum to a gin classic. Whether you’re into fruity flavours or spicy aromas, Turtle Bay have it covered. With 2-4-1 happy hour deals, we’ll certainly be sipping a few to keep cool this summer. To complete the boozy bonanza, order to rum upside down cake.
LAS IGUANAS
The guys over at Las Iguanas are teaching us you don’t have to have a Caribbean theme to do rum right. The Latino bar and eatery ticks all the boxes, whether it's staying classic with a Long Island Iced Tea or Cuba Libre, or thinking outside the box with original creations such as the New Banana Joe. A breath taking twenty rum cocktails are on the menu, so you could go on trying new ones all summer long. Chin chin!
