Best Rum Cocktails On The Peninsula

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Expect nothing less than the best of the best when it comes to the top five local bars and restaurants here on the Peninsula. These places serve up the tastiest rum drinks for you rum lovers of the Bay. Break away from the basic cocktails and enjoy some unique mixtures that combine the best ingredients for a memorable rum drink. Or, stick to the classics, made by mixologists that know what rum drinkers like, and know how to spike your cocktails into gear. For all of your tastes and fancies, steer toward these locations.

With a cocktail like the Tiki Scorpion Bowl, made with orange, lime, rum, rum and another brand of rum, there's nothing to dislike about Downtown Tiki Lounge. The island vibe, splendidly tasty tropical drinks, great music and people can't be compared to anywhere else. The menu of cocktails is diverse, with a host of tropical drinks that are fun and fruity. Try the punch bowls, and you'll walk out well oiled and slap happy. Good drinks, cheap food and a laid-back and happy atmosphere bodes well for anyone looking to hang out with friends and leave all of their worries at the door. The lounge is open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. all week long.

Quality drinks for rum drinkers all around the bay are made with the best of liquors. This is the owner's philosophy, since he believes the brand makes all the difference in the final product. Which also means that your rum and coke, your daiquiri, pina colada and highballs are going to be guaranteed delicious. Happy hour drinks are half off, along with $5 appetizers that are made with the freshest ingredients. Located in the heart of Redwood City, this place is very accommodating for large groups. One of its specialty drinks is made with a fine Brazilian rum. Quality is what you'll find here.

If you like rum, this is your place to enjoy the sweetness of its flavors mixed in with your favorite cocktail. Nola is a lively atmosphere of dark and eclectic, funky and cool décor. Sink down into a cozy, plush chair with your rum drink and ponder and brood about all of life's various nuances. The hurricane rum drink is a favorite, made with four different types of rum. The larger-size hurricane comes in what is called a 'moron bowl,' in other words, it's huge. The ginger rum is also a big hit and mojitos are served in mason jars. This is definitely the place for stiff drinks and a rowdy good time within a hip atmosphere.

Not only does Martins serve up a multitude of beers on tap and by the bottle, but it also offers a bevy of cocktail beverages. The varieties of rum will blow you away at Martins. Try the Carlos Bronson, made with 10-cane rum, pear puree, egg white, lime and sugar. It's refreshing and addictive. The same goes for the food, which is exotic and worth every penny. A list of Martins' wines, beers and cocktails can be found by clicking here.

Mervyn's is your 'too-cool-to-have-a-website' cash-only dive bar. The entrance to the place is rather like finding a needle in a haystack, and the only clue that it is a place to enjoy your favorite rum drinks is by the blue door entrance. Mervyn's is everything in a dive bar you'd expect, except that it's awesome. Drinks are dirt cheap so you can have a couple rum and cokes, mojitos or cable cars without breaking your bank account. Just be prepared to hunt for this jewel of a bar – since it's window-free, sign-free and located in the back of a Chinese restaurant, under a staircase and through a small alleyway. Why all the fuss over this tiny drinking hole? Maybe because drinks are astonishingly cheap and strong, and the staff and patrons are friendlier than a bunch of farm pigs in mud.

Kelly Gullo is a freelance writer in San Francisco, CA. Kellys topics are about music and nightlife. Kelly has also written a variety of articles on health and dieting and topics related to the environment. Kelly has a degree in journalism and public relations from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.