The Spirit of the City: 18 Upscale Ways to Celebrate National Rum Day in Miami

The rum renaissance doesn’t stop at Miami’s most glamorous rooftops and hotel lounges. The city’s culinary creativity and cocktail innovation stretch far beyond the obvious, with venues that deliver just as much sophistication in unexpected settings. For National Rum Day on August 16, these spots bring personality, craft, and a strong sense of place, proving that Miami’s rum culture is as diverse as its skyline.

National Rum Day gets the couture treatment at Sexy Fish Miami, where the Mai Tai is reimagined with Brugal 1888 Rum, banana, herbal liquor, lime, orgeat, and Angostura bitters ($20). True to Sexy Fish’s reputation, the drink isn’t just mixed—it’s choreographed, mirroring the restaurant’s opulent interiors by Martin Brudnizki and adorned with works from Damien Hirst and Frank Gehry. Known for its late-night dining scene and award-winning bar program, this Brickell hotspot delivers a setting where rum feels right at home alongside caviar and Japanese whisky.

For a National Rum Day sip with a side of intrigue, Giselle Miami presents the Kiss & Tell—a sultry mix of Papa’s Pilar Dark Rum, strawberry, lime, and mint. The drink pairs seamlessly with the venue’s high-drama aesthetic and luxe, globally inspired menu. Those in the know can inquire about Her Favorites, a secret three-course tasting available only on select nights, featuring indulgences like Tuna Truffle Cones crowned with 24k gold.

Inside Maple & Ash, National Rum Day is an ode to Miami itself. The A Day in the 305 cocktail blends white rum with strawberry coconut cordial, pineapple juice, lime, and a few drops of lime oil. The cordial alone is a craft project—dried strawberries are sous vide with sugar, coconut syrup, and coconut rum for a layered, tropical sweetness. Garnished with fresh mint and powdered sugar, it’s a drink that invites lingering over a long lunch or as a prelude to the restaurant’s steak-forward menu.

If ocean breezes are a non-negotiable, DiLido Beach Bar at The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, stages a National Rum Day celebration worthy of its beachfront location. On August 16 from 4–8 PM, guests can enjoy handcrafted rum cocktails, a daiquiri-making station, live cigar rolling, and a DJ set—all against uninterrupted views of the Atlantic. This is rum in its natural habitat, but elevated with The Ritz-Carlton’s signature polish.

At Isabelle’s Coconut Grove, the celebration comes with a sweet touch—a complimentary mini signature rum cake with any entrée ordered during lunch or dinner service on August 16. The setting is just as indulgent, with a garden terrace surrounded by lush greenery and a menu that merges coastal flavors with refined plating.

National Rum Day at Sweet Liberty isn’t about one rum—it’s about three. The Spiced Pineapple Daiquiri layers Plantation Pineapple, Chairman’s Reserve Spiced Rum, and Angostura 1919 with pineapple liqueur, juice, lime, spiced syrup, and a hint of pineapple vinegar. Finished with a half-moon pineapple garnish, it’s a masterclass in tropical balance from one of Miami Beach’s most celebrated cocktail bars.

Several of Miami’s most stylish spots are shaking and stirring with Brugal’s acclaimed Dominican rums, known for their double-aging techniques and nuanced oak finishes. Chimba offers an artistic South American backdrop with elevated cocktails and daily happy hour. Ferneteria brings an Italian-meets-Argentine rooftop perspective in Wynwood. Kaori offers a Michelin-recognized Pan-Asian menu paired with curated vinyl sound in Brickell, and The Palms Hotel infuses its sustainably minded Mediterranean-Latin cuisine with island-inspired drinks in Miami Beach.

Wynwood’s Presidente Bar, a World’s 50 Best Bars honoree, brings a darker, richer take on rum with the Samba Noir. Crafted with Xamaica Planteray Rum, Clement Rhum, Tempus Fugit Cacao, passion fruit lime, and chocolate bitters, it’s a drink that reads more dessert course than aperitif. Served in a space helmed by Sebastián García and Christian Delpech, it’s the definition of cocktail artistry.

Known for its Asian-fusion grill and theatrical interiors, Niño Gordo turns National Rum Day into an exercise in complexity with the Papaya Salad Daiquiri. Built on Havana Club Blanco and Chareau with papaya salad cordial and lime, it offers a bright, layered alternative to the classic recipe—perfect for those who like their rum with a side of culinary adventure.

Hidden behind a vintage cigarette machine inside Wynwood’s Niño Gordo, Dekotora channels Japan’s flamboyantly decorated trucks into a bar concept with just as much flair. The Turbo Mirage pairs Planteray Pineapple Rum with Brugal 1888, matcha, pandan, coconut, and pineapple—a layered, transportive sip that bridges tropical sweetness with earthy green tea depth. It’s the kind of cocktail that makes you linger long after last call.

For those who prefer their rum with a side of culinary craftsmanship, dōma offers a Brugal Rum–focused mixology dinner on August 13 at 7 PM. Limited to 12 guests, this private dining experience combines three bespoke cocktails—including a mango mojito, old fashioned, and espresso martini—with a three-course menu by Chef Davide Porcaccio. Brugal ambassador Gabriel Urrutia guides the evening, offering insight into the rum’s heritage and artistry. Throughout August, dōma also spotlights the Three O Five cocktail—Brugal 1888, amaretto di saronno, toasted hazelnut liqueur, and anise coffee—designed for slow sipping and post-dinner conversation.

At RosaNegra Miami, the La Lola showcases two rums—Charanda Mexican Rum and aged rum—balanced with passionfruit purée, lemon juice, and milk. Topped with a delicate strawberry foam crafted through a precise infusion process, it’s a drink that feels as much like plated art as it does a cocktail.

In historic Overtown, Red Rooster celebrates National Rum Day with the Lady Day—rum, mango chunks, coconut shrub, and simple syrup, garnished with coconut flakes. Served in a space that’s as much about community and cultural storytelling as it is about flavor, the drink captures the warmth and soul of Miami’s Caribbean heritage.

Inside Gulfstream Park, Ten Palms offers the Cienfuegos—a refreshing blend of Bacardi Superior, fresh watermelon juice, Fever Tree grapefruit soda, and a lime wheel garnish. At just $15, it’s proof that luxury can be found in simplicity when the ingredients and execution are right, especially when paired with panoramic racetrack views.

Little Havana’s Café La Trova, consistently ranked among the World’s Best Bars, marks National Rum Day with a $25 rum flight paired with artisanal chocolate. This homage to Cuban rum traditions is best enjoyed alongside the venue’s live music and cocktail craftsmanship, making it a stop that blends heritage with high-end hospitality.

Coral Gables’ Copper 29 Bar turns August 16 into a full rum-centric evening, offering half off all rum cocktails—from classic mojitos to more intricate creations—under its signature pink neon glow. Happy hour runs from 5–8 PM, leading into a night of elevated bar energy that keeps the celebration going well past sunset.

While known for its street-style tacos, COYO Taco gets into the National Rum Day spirit by offering a complimentary Diplomático rum floater with its Frozen Mango Mojito on August 16. Available all month, this icy blend of rum, fresh mint, lime juice, and local mango is summer in a glass—best paired with their new Grilled USDA Ribeye Taco.

At COTOA, rum takes on an edible form with their Caramelized Banana Rum Cake. Served with salted toffee, cacao nibs, and artisanal stracciatella gelato, it’s an elegant way to enjoy the spirit without a glass. Perfect for dessert lovers who still want to partake in the holiday’s indulgence.

National Rum Day in Miami proves that this spirit has range, capable of complementing a Michelin-starred tasting menu, anchoring a beachfront party, or serving as the centerpiece in an intricate mixology experience. Whether your preference is an art-forward cocktail lounge, a luxury hotel terrace, or a chef-driven dining room, the city’s offerings this year give rum the spotlight it deserves, one refined pour at a time.