Rum Club — Restaurant in Portland

So, I don't write reviews often. I do it when I find a notable place, for which I use a variety of factors. One of those factors is experience (one of the more cliché ones). Experience involves many things. Quality of offering is one of those things. Drinks. Food. Environment & Vibe are others. Let's add service to the mix. Well, The Rum Club is one of the best experience of bars I've had. Everyone will love this place - but if you're looking for a great rum bar with drinks quality well above the indicated price, visit The Rum Club.

I've been a few times, but it's close to a bar I like a lot so I often end the night here. Today I began the evening there, and the owner of the bar was working the floor and he was extremely talented, personable, and quirky as The Rum Club is - make sense, it's his bar. I've drunk at bars all around the world, having lived abroad. Portland is certainly far form being recognized globally for cocktails, but The Rum Club is unique & quality enough to be World Class.

Definitely try it out. Get the Quartermaster Redux for a highly original but completely new rum cocktail - it's one of those "why hasn't anyone thought of that cocktails". Then try the Rabbit Hunt, and the #4 Cocktail. What you should know about this place is while they're very good at the classics, they're menu is extremely well though out and is where you should actually order from. Or ask them of highlights from previous menus and they may be able to make those, which are fantastic.

Definitely come here. If you got any more drinks in you after you and your group's tried 2 each off their menu (and tried each other's) go down the street to The Scotch Lodge for an equally good scotch bar. People who worked at The Rum Club moved to The Scotch Lodge. Both are great.

Be sure not to miss their food menu. They have a new Jamaican Scotch Egg on their menu that is damn good, along with other creative yet slightly comfort foody items. Ultimately, I recommend visiting this place if you get the chance. More than anything, the constant banter between the staff and their ability to include everyone in it + good drinks + good bar bites = its' worth coming to this spot no matter what kind of fun plans you have.

Oh, and no drink is over $12, which at it's competitors is...

We were a party of 3 and tried to enjoy a bite and a drink on Saturday 4/16/2022 around 7pm. The guy working the door was a jarring experience. We were told they were full inside, and when we asked about how long it might be we were told "it could be 5 minutes it could be an hour, I don't know". It was cold and he offered a table outside. When we inquired how well the heater works he replied "it kind of works I guess". When we asked if we could sit outside and if something opens up inside could we switch, he replied "we don't move tickets or tables once seated".

I was floored. So I asked again. You don't have any idea of an estimate? He followed up "like I said, could be 5 minutes, could be an hour. I'm not going to guess and lie to you. I don't know how many drinks people are going to have". We didn't want a lie, just a simple estimate. Which is about as common as asking for a glass of water.

The resentment coming from him was palpable. As a life long service industry worker I know how hard the job is. But his behavior was unprofessional and uncalled for. And very unexpected considering the generally wonderful and friendly staff we're used to at Rum Club.

We've had so many great evenings at Rum Club, and recommend it wholeheartedly to local friends and guests in town. Your empanadas and drinks are amazing. But this fella needs training, lots of training. It was more...

Probably my favorite bar. The owner, and the bartenders he hires are masters at their craft.

Rum club offers an excellent selection of cocktails designed in house on their rotating menu. It gets updated as the sessions change. They also offer a cocktail special that changes regularly, and a premade punch on the specials board.

The run selection, as you might surmise, I'd extensive but they also have a fantastic selection of amaros, and flavorful liquors to fill out the profiles of any cocktail they can think up.

I usually like most of the food. It's good quality food and the chef is thoughtful and creative. I usually don't care for the desserts and have stopped ordering them though.

The atmosphere is dark and somewhere between a lounge and a tiki bar. I love the wallpaper and find myself watching it in the candlelight. I find the seating comfortable and most of the time the volume is just below loud and works well for chatting with people. It can get very loud and very packed on Friday and Saturday nights though. I'd steer clear on those nights if you want to have a conversation.

I think it's a pretty good date bar. I'd be impressed if my date...