If you’re going to be at the Miami Rum Congress this year, here’s a quick guide to events happening outside of the main show. These are events that are sponsored by brands or bars and aren’t part of the official show agenda. Some require reservations or the purchase of a ticket, I’ve provided links to registration sites. And check back before and during the show, I’ll keep this post updated with additions and changes.

Getting There: In past years, I’d put a map here with the locations on it so it’s easy to see what’s walkable, but this year none of the after events are easily walkable from the convention center. Swizzle Rum Bar and Sotto Sapra are both in Miami Beach and are the closest to get to, Bar Kaiju is on the mainland, and the Mai-Kai is an hour’s drive north in Fort Lauderdale. So you’ll need to use Uber or Lyft.
Here are the official schedules: The seminar agenda and a PDF schedule guide.
Wednesday, 29 January 2025
- 6-8pm: Rum Masterclass with Ed Hamilton presented by Primo Liquors. RSVP here.
2541 E Sunrise Blvd. Ft. Lauderdale. +1-754-312-2960 - 8pm-late: Calm Before The Storm presented by Barcelo at Trader Vic’s Bamboo Room.
1438 Washington Ave, Miami Beach. +1-305-423-5888
Thursday, 30 January 2025
- Evening: The Art of Pairing: A Dominican Journey presented by Inaru, La Aurora, The Miami Rum Social Club, and E. Leon Jimines at Tabacon Cigars & Spirits. Call to confirm start time.
5241 NW 87th Ave, Suite D-109, Doral. +1-786-696-7309 - 6-8pm: Miami Rum Congress Kickoff Happy Hour presented by the Florida Rum Society and Holmes Cay at the Mai-Kai Bora Bora Bar. RSVP required.
3599 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale. +1-954-563-3272 - 6-745pm: Name That Rum with Matt Pietrek and Daniele Dalla Pola at the Kaona Room. Doors open at 5:45. Tickets required.
1600 NE 1st Avenue, Miami. +1-305-800-8454 - 9pm-12am: Otto’s High Dive popup at Bar Kaiju presented by Spiribam. Brands present include Rhum Clement, Rhum J.M, and Chairman’s Reserve.
8300 NE 2nd Ave, 2nd floor, Miami in The Citadel. +1-305-908-3849
Friday, 31 January 2025
- 8pm-12am: Rum Friends Social presented by Spiribam and the Florida Rum Society at Swizzle Miami. Guest bartender is Cory Starr from the Mai-Kai. Brands at the event include Charanda Uruapan, Grander, Clement liqueur, Rhum J.M, Ten to One, and Worthy Park.
1120 Collins Ave, Miami Beach in The Stiles Hotel. +1-347-977-6428 - 830pm-late: This is the (Heming)Way with Mitch Wilson from Black Tot Rum and Jim Wrigley from Library by the Sea at the Kaona Room.
1600 NE 1st Avenue, Miami. +1-305-800-8454
Saturday, 1 February 2025
- 7-9pm: MRC Gran Final presented by Palm Republic and the Florida Rum Society at Trader Vic’s Bamboo Room (Note the venue has changed). RSVP here.
1438 Washington Ave, Miami Beach. +1-305-423-5888 - 7-11pm: The Social (Rum) Club presented by Black Tot Rum, Planteray, and Library by the Sea at the Kimpton Surfcomber. Mitch Wilson, Adrienne Stoner, and Jim Wrigley will host.
1717 Collins Ave, Miami Beach. +1-305-532-7715 - 8pm-late: From Guatemala With Love presented by Botran Rum and Voyage Rum. This is a launch party for Voyage Rum at the Kaona Room.
1600 NE 1st Avenue, Miami. +1-305-800-8454
If you’re driving to/from Miami on I-95
If you’re coming from outside Florida and are driving to Miami on I-95, you should consider stopping in Brunswick, Georgia. It’s between Jacksonville and Savannah and is a nice small port town with a growing rum scene (some of us occasionally call it “Rumswick”). It’s also where I live now. Here are some rum highlights:
- Richland Distilling Company’s second distillery is at 1406 Newcastle St, and makes the flagship Richland Rum five days a week (the tasting room is open for drinks and tours seven days a week). If you come during the week, I’ll be there running the stills, so come say hello!
- SchroGlo Community Restaurant and Bar is at 1305 Gloucester St. It’s a small local-focused establishment that’s working on growing its rum selection. Their back bar isn’t huge, but there’s a stronger-than-average rum selection. Last fall they hosted a regional tiki cocktail challenge.
- Tipsy McSway’s at 1414 Newcastle St (two doors down from Richland Rum) doesn’t have a rum focus, but they make good cocktails, and if you order a daiquiri a blender won’t be used. They have a small but solid selection of rums, including Probitas, good food, and great live music.
- A little farther east is Dorothy’s Cocktail & Oyster Bar on St Simons Island (12 Market St). Their owners are focused on expanding their rum selection, this is probably the best rum backbar you’ll find in the area. Lots of Velier, Foursquare, etc.
- Next year, there should be at least one new tiki bar open, with another in the planning stages.
Savannah, Georgia is about 1.5 hours north of Brunswick. Savannah Restaurant Week is happening before, during, and after MRC so you should be able to take advantage of that as you pass through. The Bamboo Room and Water Witch are two tiki bars in Savannah.