The Nine Best Rum Bars in Melbourne

Long gone are the days we considered rum to be the drink of pirates and general scallywags. This delightful liquid originating from sugarcane byproducts is the key ingredient for many of beloved cocktails, from mojitos to dark and stormys to the life-threatening zombie. Tiki bars, rum dens and our favourite cocktail destinations of Melbourne are all embracing the fun that comes with rum this autumn, and we couldn’t be happier.

Here are our top picks for Melbourne’s best rum bars and the cocktails to drink in them.

JUNGLE BOY

Hiding out behind the cool room door of Boston Sub is the expertly hidden tiki bar Jungle Boy. If you’re in the mood for something tropical, we suggest their Salted Rum Flip, made with Appleton Estate 20yo, Pedro Ximinez, Campari, Bitter Truth Creole bitters, castor sugar, a whole egg and a pinch of Murray River pink salt and a garnish of grated nutmeg.

THE RUM DIARY

We couldn’t very well compile this list without something from Brunswick Street’s rum stalwart now could we? Try their Millionaire cocktail, made with apricot and anise infused Appleton Estate 8yo, mixed with Hayman's sloe gin, lime and grenadine. The Millionaire was originally published in Harry Craddock’s 1930 Savoy Cocktail book, but the good folk at the Rum Diary have substituted Apricot brandy with their very own house-infused apricot rum. Worth every penny.

THE LUWOW

Melbourne’s original tiki bar The LuWow is all about the Hawaiian shirts and hula dancers and is an undeniable bundle of fun. We can’t go past the King Mai Tai, served in a LuWow tiki mug you get to take home. Light and dark rums, including the ever popular Appleton Estate, are combined with lime orgeat and Joseph Cartron triple sec. In other great news for rum fans, Wednesday night is half-priced rum night and rum tastings are also on offer. Cheers to that!

THE BEAUFORT

Ahoy there! A nautical dive bar would have to be the most appropriate place to indulge in a rum cocktail, and the Beaufort’s take on the Dark 'n' Stormy is by far one of their bestsellers. Delicious dark rum meets freshly squeezed lime juice, fresh ginger syrup and two dashes of cocktail bitters. Top it up with a fiery ginger beer, garnish with a lime wedge, fill the glass with ice and your thirst is instantly quenched.

EDV MELBOURNE

Get your night off to a great start with some Pre-Dinner Moves. No, we’re not talking about throwing out your best pick-up lines early to your Saturday night date, we’re talking about our favourite EDV aperitivo. Rum meets Campari, lemon and cucumber, which is then carbonated. For those who find it difficult to make up their minds, this cocktail is sweet, sour, dry, bitter and aromatic. There, something for everyone.

LOOP ROOF

There’s nothing like kicking back on one of Melbourne’s rooftop bars during the hotter months, and Loop Roof has the goods to cure what ails you. We are strong believers in that sharing is caring, so split a Punters Punch between four or more of you, a perfect creation for lovers of Mai Tais. Rum, Green Chartreuse and pink grapefruit juice is freshened up with mint leaves to leave your tastebuds tingling.

MISTY

The good-natured Misty is brilliant for a cheeky cocktail before a gig at the Forum any night of the week (except Sundays. Everyone’s got to have a day off sometime). For something of the rum variety, give the Sorry Miss Jackson a run, with 666 butter vodka, rum, Antica Formula, smoked maple syrup, vanilla bitters and lemon. Nothing to be sorry for here, folks.

BAR ECONOMICO

Matthew Bax, of Der Raum and Bar Americano fame, celebrates his undeniable love for rum at Bar Economico. Their cocktail menu is on constant rotation, offering up to six rum cocktails per night, and the drinks are inspired by Der Raum classics. Their award-winning mojitos are thankfully always on offer, and if you drop in during happy hour you can snag yourself one for a tenner.

BLACK PEARL

Consistently pleasing crowds with both their inventive cocktails and excellent service, Black Pearl is a place that never disappoints. For a bit of flaming fun with rum, a Zombie is always a good option, with its potent yet delectable combination of various rums, brandy and fruit juices. To hell with it, just ask these guys for something with Appleton Estate rum and they’ll come back to you with your new favourite drink.