Rum, anyone? Last week was National Rum Day, and if you haven’t already been indulging in the tropical spirit all summer long, now’s your chance. From the beachside restaurants to classic tiki bars, check out twenty L.A. spots serving up rum-based cocktails. Grass skirts not required.
Caña Rum Bar
If you are a rum connoisseur, this is the place for you. Caña Rum Bar debuted in 2010 as LA’s most intimate and evocative rum bar. As one of the largest houses of rum in the country, Caña features over 400 rums to savor and is home to the Caña Rum Society. They offer comparative tastings and spirit education every Wednesday evenings, led by top experts in the field. Celebrate the rum holiday with their classic Rum and Coconut Water, made simply with Cruzan Black Strap and fresh coconut water, served inside a real coconut with a spoon. Or try their Brazilian Necktie created with Ypioca Cachaça from Brazil infused with serrano and anaheim peppers, hot house cucumbers muddled with lime juice and raw sugar and topped off with sea salt and black peppercorn.
714 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles; 213hospitality.com/canarumbar; @canarumbarla
Tiki-Ti
Tiki-Ti in Hollywood, which opened in 1961, is a local landmark that whips up tropical drinks in a tiny room covered in tikis & Hawaiian decor. On the menu is one of the most iconic rum drinks, the Zombie, which was originally created just after prohibition in 1934 at LA’s very first tropical bar and restaurant, Don The Beachcomber. It’s made with numerous rums and floated with Dark Coruba Rum and served in a classic tiki mug. It’s actually known for being so strong it will literally turn you into a walking zombie. The Shark’s Tooth is also a solid order made with lime, passionfruit, various rums and floated with Dark Coruba Jamaican Rum. Keep in mind, it’s cash only here.
4427 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles; Tiki-ti.com
Duke’s
Rum was made to be enjoyed by the ocean so head to Malibu and hit up Duke’s, a waterside hangout with breathtaking views and delicious drinks that come with tiny umbrellas. Their Lava Flow cocktail is a frozen concoction made with blended pineapple juice, cream of coconut, strawberries and light rum. You can add a Meyer’s Dark Rum float for a little extra punch as well. Need a pick me up? Order the Coco Coffee with Koloa Coconut Rum, Bailey’s, Groundwork cold brew and an Oreo cookie rim.
21150 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu; Dukesmalibu.com; @dukesmalibu
Beaches Bar and Grill
Opened just this past February, Weho’s newest good vibes and LGBTQ+ friendly bar, Beaches, brings the tropical spirit to Santa Monica’s Blvd. The bar, decorated with palm wallpapering and neon lights shouting out to “Malibu” and “St. Barts,” offers a killer happy hour which includes $5 frozen drinks from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Try their Waikiki slushie made with Cruzan White Rum, Liquor 43, coconut syrup, pineapple, mango puree, a pinch of cayenne, topped with Ron Zacapa 23-year-old. Or, if you are more of an on the rocks kid, ask the bartenders to whip you up a mean Dark & Stormy.
8928 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood; Beachesweho.com; @beachesweho
Tower 12
Down in Hermosa, head over to Tower 12 for some surf vibes, good music and rum in the sun. Order their 16th Street Spiked Rum Smash made with Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, muddled pineapple and mint, fresh lime juice, Meyer’s Dark Rum float and Luxardo maraschino cherry.
53 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach; Tower12hb.com; instagram.com/tower12hb
Lono Hollywood
Don’t let its tourist trap location fool you. Lono Hollywood is an ultra cool tiki bar with an undeniable old school feel. A favorite of locals, the bartenders serve up tropical-themed drinks such as a classic Painkiller with Pusser’s Rum, pineapple, cara cara orange and coconut cream and the innovative Jungle Bird composed of Dark Bermudan Rum, Campari, fresh lime, pineapple and cinnamon. Got a group? Be brave and order a shareable punch bowl such as the Scorpion with a collection of rums with a hint of cognac, lemon, orange and orgeat.
6611 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles; Lonohollywood.com; @lonohollywood
Birds & Bees
Birds & Bees, the underground 1950s themed mid-century modern cocktail bar in DTLA, offers a menu replete with punch bowls, themed drinks and rum cocktails perfect for anyone looking to celebrate National Rum Day this year. Try the Gregory Peck, a signature cocktail made with Barbados Rum, pineapple rum, mezcal, yellow chartreuse, citrus oleo and a white peppercorn tincture. Or try the Sam Cooke, Birds & Bees riff on a queen park swizzle made with housemade brown butter rum, honey, lime, grapefruit, allspice and a fernet float.
207 S. Broadway, Los Angeles; Birdsandbeesla.com@birdsandbeesla
Blind Dragon
Last year, the h.wood Group revamped their flagship karaoke speakeasy Blind Dragon into a hip Tiki focused supper club. The staff is now outfitted in Hawaiian shirts and the vibe is straight up vacation with an upscale taste. The menu has also taken on more of an island style. On it you’ll find the Hakuna Colada made with vanilla-infused rum, English breakfast tea, coconut, creme, lemongrass, kaffir lime, Thai chili and flower garnish. There is also the modern Mai Thai created with dark and light rum, Mandarine Napoleon, orgeat, pineapple and lime.
9201 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; blinddragon.com; @theblinddragon
Laurel Tavern Hermosa Beach
“If you like Pina Coladas…..” I mean, who doesn’t, and the best one in town can be found at Laurel Tavern Hermosa Beach. Created fresh by Lee Farrell without any blenders or mixes, the cocktail includes Plantation Pineapple Rum, Parfait Amour, fresh pineapple, coconut cream and dark rum float.
1220 Hermosa Ave., Hermosa Beach; laureltavern.com/hermosa-beach;@laureltavern
Ocean Prime
Ocean Prime is a modern American seafood-centric luxe steakhouse located in the heart of Beverly Hills. Here you’ll find a handcrafted cocktail menu which includes the signature Rum Punch made with Don Pancho 8 Year Rum, Ancho Reyes, apricot orchard, fresh orange and chocolate bitters.
9595 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills; Ocean-prime.com; @oceanprime_cmr
Playa Provisions
Playa Provisions is a unique multi-space beachside destination in Playa del Rey. For the summer, “Top Chef” Season 14 Winner Brooke Williamson and her husband/co-chef Nick Robert created a tiki-inspired cocktail menu to make guests feel like they are being transported to the islands. Over at Dockside, Playa Provisions’ seafood concept, the bartenders are serving up the Surfin’ Bird with Mt. Gay Rum, hibiscus-infused Meyer’s Light rum and pineapple, decorated with an umbrella. At Grain, the speakeasy-inspired whiskey bar, you’ll find a secret tiki cocktail menu that includes the Hurricanrana made with Meyer’s Dark Rum, lemon juice, passion fruit syrup, pineapple garnish, also served with an umbrella.
119 Culver Blvd., Playa Del Rey; Playaprovisions.com; @grainwhiskeybar
Kings Row
Up in Pasadena, beat the heatwave with a fun frozen cocktail at King’s Row. The Chief Lapu Lapu is made with Flor de Caña 7-year-old Rum and is sure to cool you down.
20 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena; Kingsrowpub.com; @kingsrowpub
Beelman’s
Beelman’s, the 100% plant-based Asian pub in DTLA, offers a signature Black Pina Colada, made with Plantation 5-Year Rum, Plantation Overproof Rum, coconut, pineapple and activated charcoal.
600 S. Spring St., Los Angeles; beelmans.com; @beelmansla
Beauty & Essex
Part of Dream Hollywood, Beauty & Essex’s L.A. location is a massive 10,000 square feet space featuring a dining room, bar area, ground-floor courtyard and second-level patio. Wherever you decide to drink, order the Melon Mojito made with Mount Gay Eclipse Rum, Flor de Cana Gran Reserva 7-year-old, sparkling wine, melon nectar, mint and lime.
1615 Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles; beautyandessex.com/los-angeles; @beautyessexla
TAO
Just across from Beauty & Essex, keep the rum crawl going and dip into TAO. On the menu you’ll find its signature TAO-tini made with Belvedere Mango Passion Vodka, Malibu Rum, cranberry and cold pressed lime juice.
6421 Selma Ave., Los Angeles; Taolosangeles.com; @taola
Little Bear
Little Bear is an uber cool Industrial style gastropub in the Arts District that has way more than just Belgian brews and bar bites. Ask for Josh and he will whip you up his Award Winning Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum cocktail.
1855 Industrial St., Los Angeles; littlebearla.com; @littlebearla
Skybar at Mondrian
You can’t go wrong with a classic Mojito so if sipping poolside is your thing, head to Skybar at Mondrian. Here you and your friends can split a pitcher of the Skybar Mojito made with Bacardi Superior Rum, sugar, club soda, mint and fresh lime juice. They also serve up Pina Coladas made with coconut rum, coconut cream and pineapple juice.
8440 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; sbe.com/nightlife/brands/skybar; @skybarla
La Fête
You may not think of a swanky French bar when it comes to rum, but La Fête in West Hollywood has two amazing rum based cocktails on its impressive menu. The Le Frappé is made with Pernod absinthe, Rhum JM, matcha coconut créme, pineapple and OJ. The Le Daiq is created with Rhum JM, Plantation 3 Stars Rum, Calvados, kaffir lime cordial and lime.
8277 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood; lafetelosangeles.com; @lafetelosangeles
Marina del Rey Hotel
With a stunning view of the marina, Marina del Rey Hotel is a perfect spot to celebrate the sea’s most favored libation. At the pool, order the Mack Tyson’s Punch Out created with Mount Gay Rum, Cointreau, peach puree, cinnamon syrup and lemon. At the hotel’s waterfront restaurant SALT you’ll find the Same Same But Different, made with Absolut Elyx, Genever, Jamaican rum, pineapple liqueur, ginger liqueur, coconut cream, pineapple juice, lime and Angostura bitters. Be sure to grab your buddies; it serves between two and three people.
13534 Bali Way, Marina Del Rey; Marinadelreyhotel.com; @marinadelreyhotel
Five0Four Hollywood
French Quarter style drinking can be found in the heart of L.A. at Five0Four Hollywood. The super fun, no-frills New Orleans-inspired patio bar keeps the essence of the southern party town going strong. House drinks include the Slow Play with Bacardi 8 Rum, Cointreau, lime, orgeat, angostura and mint and the Shift Drink with Southern Comfort 100 proof, Peychaud’s Aperitivo and Peychauds bitters. Our fav is the Chartres Cooler with Bacardi 8 Rum, Ancho Verde Chile Liqueur, pineapple, lime, Bleu Curacao and dehydrated pineapple.
6541 Hollywood Blvd. #102, Los Angeles; Five0fourhollywood.com; @five0fourhollywood
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