National Rum Day is August 16th

Honey Do That (Courtesy The Duck Dive)

Mark your calendars for August 16 because National Rum Day is right around the corner, and San Diego is ready to raise a glass. Whether you’re a seasoned rum aficionado or just in the mood for a flavorful night out, we’ve gathered the best spots in town where this tropical spirit takes center stage. From beachfront hideaways to downtown party hubs, here’s how to sip your way through the city’s most unforgettable rum experiences.

If your perfect rum-fueled day includes salty air, surf vibes, and sun-soaked sips, The Duck Dive is your go-to beachside escape. Known for its laid-back vibes and coastal-inspired cocktails, this PB favorite is serving up serious refreshment. Keep it cool with the Honey Do That - a bright blend of Rumhaven Caribbean Rum, fresh honeydew, pineapple, and fresh lime. Want to turn heads? Order the Drunken Clum, a massive punch bowl laced with Rumhaven, horchata, pineapple cordial, Coco López, mint, and a hit of Cocoberry Red Bull. It’s fun, bold, and made to share.

Escape to the islands without leaving the city. At Miss B’s Coconut Club, National Rum Day is more than a toast—it’s a journey. Join their exclusive “Caribe Cartel” Rum Flight Club, starting with a “Flight Around the Caribbean” and earn your own collector’s hat and pin. Keep tasting through regional flights, collect all the pins, and be crowned Caribe Kingpin, complete with your own bottle of Miss B’s house-blended rum to take home. It’s part tasting, part treasure hunt, all tropical adventure.

Prefer your rum with a side of high energy and Gaslamp glam? Head to barleymash for a one-day-only National Rum Day celebration in partnership with Bacardi. The lively downtown hotspot is shaking things up with three exclusive rum cocktails, crafted just for the occasion. Go tropical with the Blue Hawaiian, made with Bacardi Superior Rum, pineapple juice, blue curaçao, and lime juice. Keep it classic with a crisp Daiquiri featuring Bacardi Superior Rum, lime juice, and simple syrup. Or sip something bold with the Rum Old Fashioned, blending Bacardi Gran Reserva 10 with Angostura bitters and simple syrup.

Looking for a spot where the game’s always on, the cocktails hit hard, and the vibe never misses? The Smoking Gun delivers with retro swagger, vintage arcade games, and an always-social scene that keeps energy high from happy hour to last call. Kick things off with the Black Berry Pearl, a bold mix of spiced rum, blackberry, orange liqueur, pineapple, serrano bitters, and lime. It’s sweet, spicy, and totally unforgettable - the perfect companion for a round of smoking wings or a fourth-quarter rally under the big screens.

Sun, beats, and five bars buzzing with energy, Mavericks Beach Club in Pacific Beach is where the party never pauses. Just steps from the Pacific Beach shoreline, this sprawling open-air playground is where laid-back afternoons turn into legendary parties. Fuel the fun with the Mavericks Mai Tai, a vibrant mix of Bacardi dark and white rum, fresh orange and lime juice, mango, amaretto, orgeat, and a rich Myers’s float. One sip, and you’ll know: this is where the party lives.

At Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters in La Jolla Shores, rum gets a refined, elegant twist with the Aloha Kope, a bold yet smooth cocktail that stirs together espresso, cinnamon, allspice, coconut, vanilla, and a rich pour of rum. It’s a tropical indulgence that balances warmth and sweetness, perfect for sipping just steps from the ocean breeze at the Shores. Paired with Sandpiper’s wood-fired seafood and laid-back sophistication, it’s a drink that captures the spirit of the coast in every sip. Happy hour is daily from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.

No matter your scene - laid-back by the beach, vibey and electric, or chic and sophisticated - San Diego’s got the rum cocktail to match your mood.

Courtesy of Alternative Strategies