Rum Runners — Restaurant in Erie

I went to Rum Runners on Saturday, July 29th at approximately 3:30 pm. My friend and I politely asked the bartender (shorter woman with glasses) for rum runners and waters. She asked for our I.D.s, which we happily gave her. I am 28 years old and have a valid Pennsylvania drivers license. The bartender took my ID, held it up to check to holograph, and then put in on the back bar with her back to me, and started copying information from my drivers license without asking for my permission. She also never asked me for a second form of ID (which I had on me and easily could have provided) and never asked me for any further information. After several minutes, she rudely gave me back my card with a proof of age form and told me that she needed me to fill it out because my ID looked "funky" with no other information as to why. She then turned to another customer, and with attitude said "I guess it's gunna be one of those days." After discussing with my friend, I took the form and left because I did not want my personal info sitting on a card in a bar, the bartender was extremely rude, and I was embarrassed after having been treated like a criminal even though I am well above the legal drinking age and provide valid proof. This is ridiculous. Your bartenders should know what a license in their own state looks like. They should also know how to properly conduct themselves. I have never received such rude treatment at a bar in my life. I should also add that I tried to call the bar to complain, but no one answered their phone.

Since the bartender took my license out of my sight and recorded personal information from it, I WILL BE MONITORING MY CREDIT AND WILL REPORT THIS INCIDENT INVOLVING YOUR STAFF TO THE POLICE SHOULD ANYTHING FISHY (I.E. IDENTITY THEFT)...

Update, my wife and I both got food poisoning from the burger

Rum Runners used to be one of my favorite spots years ago, but our recent visit left me feeling a bit underwhelmed.

The setting is definitely still a highlight—right on the water with great views, and the prices are very reasonable, especially for a waterfront restaurant. We also appreciated our server’s honesty. She was juggling too many tables and let us know upfront that service might be slow, which it was, but I don’t fault her at all. She was doing her best, and her transparency was appreciated.

Unfortunately, a few other aspects fell short. The outdoor seating was extremely windy, which made it tough to keep lightweight items like napkins and menus on the table. There’s also very little shade, so the direct sun can be uncomfortable—especially for older guests or young kids.

Food-wise, everything was just okay. My burger tasted slightly off (two days later, I am updating to say that my wife and I both got food poisoning from this burger we shared), and while the mammoth pretzel looked impressive, it lacked that distinct pretzel flavor. Fries were good, but could have used a little salt. None of it was terrible, but nothing stood out either, and with so many other options in the Erie area, I walked away wishing we’d tried somewhere new.

Live music was setting up as we were finishing, which could have been a nice touch—though the crew setting up was smoking, and the wind carried it right into our table, which was unpleasant while trying to eat.

All in all, it’s still a nice spot for a drink or a casual bite thanks to the location and affordability, but I’m sad to see how much it has declined compared to what I remember...

I have been coming here for years and never had any issues!! But yesterday, I came and met a friend for some Miami Vice’s (rum runner mixed with piña colada). I went up to the bar and ordered our drinks and noticed there was some rum runner and pina coloda left over I’m guessing from a previous customer. The bartender proceeds to get a new blender to make pina coloda, pours pina mix into blender and adds ice. No liquor. Then she goes to add more ice on-top of the left over rum runner mix. I thought it was strange but I wanted to at least try it first to see. Paid and walk the drinks over to my friend. I tried and it tasted like flavored water. Told her to try hers and she said the same thing. I had her go back to the bar and request new ones. Apparently, the bartender/manager told her it was a waste of money to make new ones and added more ice to the drinks to which they were no longer red they were baby pink. I’ve been drinking these for years and never have they been pink not even once you mix both flavors together! I took them back to the bar and requested a refund from a different bartender to which had to be authorized by the said bartender/manager. I was refunded but as a bartender myself, that was poor customer service. To tell a customer who just paid $16 for flavored ice that it’s a waste of money to make new ones and just adds more “water” to old ones. I understand it’s a slushy, but they have definitely changed in taste & price over the years and it’s not worth it. That manager has been there for forever and it really makes me wonder how many of those she served. Put a bad taste in my mouth literally and I will not be spending another dollar here. I recommend Woody’s for a...