RB in the press: Delicious Mischief

Journalist, radio host, author and playwright John DeMers has eaten his way through 136 countries, so we're stoked that he choose to Rum Barrel to stop for a rum drink or five and try out our amazing burger. Here's what the host of Delicious Mischief had to say:

"In a bar with more than 160 rums and its own Rum Bible, how do you decide what to drink? Well, if you’re doing a radio show, you sit down with rum guy Alan Gold at the Rum Barrel and taste the afternoon away. On the air, I think we tasted a mere six different rums, with Alan offering intelligent commentaries on each. It was Alan, in fact, who updated and expanded The Rum Bible a few years back when the Rum Barrel got even more serious about its rums.

Photo Credit: John DeMers

"I’m not sure what would qualify as the ultimate “rum cuisine,” but at the Rum Barrel on Front Street, the Original Burger is a mighty good way to address the odd feeling leftover from a rum tasting on a semi-empty stomach. And yes, the potato chips are made right here too. Another signature dish, which I felt duty-bound to sample, was the Philly cheese steak spring rolls, perfect for dipping into a bowl of melted white American cheese."

Thanks, John! Read the rest of his article, A Day of Key West Eating and Drinking.

Bo Bice at the RB? You know it!

Who remembers Bo Bice from American Idol? That long-haired crooner who made chicks weak in the knees.

Bo!

He came second to Carrie Underwood in that fourth AI season, but Bo will always be our number one stunna, er, winner. 

Here are some things you'll need to know about Bo if you'd like to become an obsessive fan:

1. He was born in Huntsville, Ala.
2. Music is in his family (his mom, grandma and great-grandma were gospel singers)
3. He was nicknamed Bogart as a newborn by his grandma because she thought he had Humphrey Bogart eyes. How cute is that?
4. He moved to England when he was 14 years old because of his dad's work and was a distant neighbor of those crazy Osbornes.
5. Bo released his first CD in 1995 with his band Purge. He opened for Blackfoot and Warrant and performed live and recorded with Johnny Neal, The Allman Brothers Band alum.
6. He'd already recorded two albums before appearing on AI: Ex Gratia in 1999 with Purge and Recipe for Flavor (2000).
7. Quite possibly the best Bo Bice song. Eva. Having Santana in it helps, too! Hope he performs it when he plays at the Rum Barrel next week Thursday for the Key West Songwriters' Festie!

The Partida Spirit Bird Challenge, a Key West cocktail competition

What better place to experience a perfect Partida cocktail, named the best tequila in the world by The Spirit Journal, than in the tropical paradise of Key West at The Rum Barrel upper deck?

Mixologists and bartenders from South Florida are invited to capture the essence of Key West and the True Spirit of Tequila in a cocktail that will wow our expert judging panel!

THE BIG SHOWDOWN

WHEN: Sunday, June 12, 2011, 5 to 8 p.m.

WHERE: The Rum Barrel at 528 Front Street
The open air rooftop deck sets the perfect backdrop for this exciting evening

THE RULES: Original recipes must be submitted to recipe@spiritbirdchallenge by May 22nd. Top entries will be advised before June 1 and further competition specifics will be sent by email.

THE PRIZE: The creator of the winning cocktail will receive $500 and their recipe will be featured on the Tequila Partida website, along with placement in various media.

Tequila Partida, the world's top-rated tequila, is an authentic, all-natural and ultra premium tequila made from 100% blue agave in the heart of the Tequila Valley. A favorite within a wide circle of industry experts, Tequila Partida has a clean, smooth, exceptionally pure taste that is admired by tequila aficionados worldwide.

Key West Songwriter's Festival comes to Rum Barrel

Love & Theft

For the past 16 years, The Key West Songwriters' Festival has brought hundreds of the top songwriters to Mile 0 for the largest festival of its kind in the world, for five days of free shows at the island's hot spots.

This year, top songwriting seeds will hit the Rum Barrel stage on Thursday, April 28:

• Three-man band and Taylor Swift-opener, Love & Theft
• Bo Bice of American Idol fame



American Idol's Bo Bice

• Casey Wood
• Joel Shewmake
• Neil Carpenter
• Tyler Farr
• Ruth Collins
• Billy Yates
• Will Rambeaux

Stay tuned in the lead-up to the festival for articles on this blog on each of these well-known musicians and songwriters!