Rhum Food + Grog opened in February 2016, in the Old Port neighborhood of Portland. The focus was on "elevated" versions of traditional food from Polynesian restaurants, with an emphasis on seafood. There was a flaming pupu platter on the menu. The drink menu was a mix of classics and new tropicals, with many served in tiki mugs.
Rhum closed for good on December 30th, 2017. The location was too out of the way for steady business and, "Rhum’s quirky, custom-made tiki mugs disappeared with regularity. “We’ve lost about $10,000 in mugs from people stealing,” "
Someone decided to steal an idea and/or a bartender from Three Dots & A Dash in Chicago and start a tiki bar in Portland, Maine. Bar was an interesting blend of attempted tiki mixed with extreme contemporary. Would like to go again now that they've been open a bit longer to see if the tiki vibe has grown at all (their Facebook page doesn't inspire too much hope there).
Food: Classier Chinese/Polynesian pub snacks; a step above standard Chinese food.
Drinks: Lots of classics; not sure if any recipes were bar-specific (that's what I would have ordered; I think I got the Jungle Bird? Which is a classic, and was very tasty)
Tiki Mugs: Custom to location, drinks served in, totally not purchasable. They're hand-made by a local artist and they were gorgeous but they would not let me throw money at them to buy one because of their limited number.
Rhum closed for good on December 30th, 2017. The location was too out of the way for steady business and, "Rhum’s quirky, custom-made tiki mugs disappeared with regularity. “We’ve lost about $10,000 in mugs from people stealing,” "
Someone decided to steal an idea and/or a bartender from Three Dots & A Dash in Chicago and start a tiki bar in Portland, Maine. Bar was an interesting blend of attempted tiki mixed with extreme contemporary. Would like to go again now that they've been open a bit longer to see if the tiki vibe has grown at all (their Facebook page doesn't inspire too much hope there).
Food: Classier Chinese/Polynesian pub snacks; a step above standard Chinese food.
Drinks: Lots of classics; not sure if any recipes were bar-specific (that's what I would have ordered; I think I got the Jungle Bird? Which is a classic, and was very tasty)
Tiki Mugs: Custom to location, drinks served in, totally not purchasable. They're hand-made by a local artist and they were gorgeous but they would not let me throw money at them to buy one because of their limited number.
Great place. Enjoyed the excellent cocktails and very good food options. Great staff and helpful. Tge tiki vibe is there but bot yet fully indoctrinated... music is jazz standards ... i would prefer Exotica ... at least till 9pm. I will make this place a regular stop for me when I come to Portland.
They have a large outdoor picnic table section in a parking lot. The space inside is HUGE - it's a really large space that you can tell they've done a lot of work to invest in their tiki bar. Beautifully crafted drinks... I had a rum, pineapple, and banana drink featuring a banana as a dolphin... it was adorable and delicious. Very friendly staff, as well! Worth it. Location is great too - very walkable from many restaurants and other bars in the old part of Portland. Two thumbs up.
We're sort of starved for decent tiki bars in New England. The raw bar selection is great here, but the place isn't very 'tiki' yet. I think I saw a grand total of two tiki idols and not a single light up puffer fish ;)
The place at least has potential and it hasn't even been open a year yet so I'll give them time.
Food: Classier Chinese/Polynesian pub snacks; a step above standard Chinese food.
Drinks: Lots of classics; not sure if any recipes were bar-specific (that's what I would have ordered; I think I got the Jungle Bird? Which is a classic, and was very tasty)
Tiki Mugs: Custom to location, drinks served in, totally not purchasable. They're hand-made by a local artist and they were gorgeous but they would not let me throw money at them to buy one because of their limited number.