Day 2 starts off watching the sunrise over St. John.     The stress is gone, and it is time to sit down and start recalling the adventures of yesterday.     We hung around the condo and enjoyed a good breakfast on the patio looking out over Water Bay toward St. John and watching the pelicans diving into the water after fish.   This was a real fascinating site to see.   I’m not used to seeing pelicans that are hunters rather than scavengers like they are in the fishing marinas at home.   

     It’s lunch time and we are off to Iggy’s Beach Bar and Grill in Bolongo Bay.   Our friends Lauren and Jack who are bartenders in Key West and formerly worked at Iggy’s said that we had to stop by for some really great food and drink.     We were not disappointed, the scenery, service, food and the drinks were wonderful.    I even had a bushwhacker in a souvenir mug that I can’t wait to display on the boat when I get back home.     You don’t want to miss a visit to Iggy’s if you come to St. Thomas.    

     A visit to a close friend at his boat at the Industrial Boatyard.   Caringa’s the hole in the wall restaurant and bar in the boatyard was a perfect place to have a cocktail and catch up on the happenings on the island over the past two years.     A couple of drinks later we had covered the news of the island and the family on the mainland.      It was great to see him again.

Three Rummys chillin'

     Next it’s off to Megan’s Bay on the Northeast side of the island for some beach time and some swimming.    The life guard whistled that the day had come to an end so we watched the sun set and headed back to the condo for some eats and cocktails.

Tonight's get together is about planning tomorrow’s boat trip to Virgin Gorda to visit Saba Rock and the Bitter End Yacht Club.      Then it is back around Beef Island to Trellis Bay.     Next we journey around the North side of Tortola to Cane Garden Bay and the Callwood Distillery, the oldest continuously operating  rum distillery in the world,  and Stanley’s Welcome Bar that claims to serve the cheeseburger that gave Jimmy Buffett the idea for his song “Cheeseburger in Paradise”.       After checking back into the USVI on St. John it is back to ST. Thomas for the night and see what is on the night.     ;o).

Ron Centenario Rum Tasting Draws Well, While Buffett sings on the other end of Duval

    Dispite the competition of Jimmy Buffett on the other end of Duval Street from the  Rum Bar, Ron Centenario 7 Year Old Rum drew a great crowd as the Phlocked to taste the premium rum and cocktails that were developed in the Rum Lab especially for this event.     The came and enjoyed this fine rum that mixes so well and yet can still be sipped neat or on the rocks.   Anytime that you start with a rum that gives you this capability you are going to have a great cocktail that you can be proud of.     It was a great rum to develop the cocktails for and you can look forward to creating your own premium cocktails with Ron Centenario 7 Year Old rum or any other of the line of fine premium rums.    ;o)   

The First Day in St. Thomas

     After the drive to Miami and the Airplane flight to St. Thomas, we have arrived at the Point Pleasant Resort.     Now it is time to travel back down to Red Hook for some food and libations.    It is absolutely beautiful here with the blue seas and the fun watering holes to drop in on.

     Today we started at Molly Malone's, an Irish pub for cocktails and some much needed food.   This was a great place right on the dock, and the food was wonderful and the drinks even better.   Watching as the stress goes away with each new rum cocktail.     From Molly Malone's it is upstairs at the Marina to The Island Time Pub, a great little open air bar that looks out on the marina and serves a great selection of Happy Hour concoctions from three til 6 pm.    We sat and "chatted" with the bartenders and several locals for an hour or so, then it was off to the next spot.

     Duffy's Love Shack, a Tiki style pub that is heavy with style and good cocktails that will really move you.    The offer up to 52 oz. cocktails in great ceramic mugs that can be refilled at a reduced rate if you use the same mug.     The selection of mugs as well as the selection of cocktails was excellent and a great time was had by all of us .   This is the first day and we have already hit our third watering hole here in St. Thomas.

     Sadly, we must hit the grocery store, stock up on rum, mixers, ice, and oh ya food.    Now it is back to the room overlooking Water Bay and time for some nice evening rum cocktails and just sit back enjoying the serenity.    Tomorrow is another day and it will be fun to see what it has to offer as we glide through this fun adventure of ours.     I'll be keeping you abreast of the new and exciting places that we are finding.     ;o)

 

Rum Bar Key West Showcases Ron Centenario Today

    


     Today Ron Centenario 7 Year Old Rum takes center stage at the Rum Bar.     We will be featuring premium cocktails made with Ron Centenario 7 Year Old Rum that can be purchased for $5 from 1pm until 5pm.     These cocktails were developed especially for this event in the Rum Lab during the past two weeks.     You will be unhappy if you miss the event, because the Ron Centenario line of rums are exquisite and lend themselves very well to both sipping or mixing.     I'm looking forward today to fixing you one of these fine cocktails.     See you at the Rum Bar Key West.






Bulletin:
Off to the Islands with Bahama Bob for the Next Two Weeks!!!!!

     The stories of rum research and bar exploration in the USVI and the BVI  the first week will be followed by a second week on a Rum Cruise to Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Maartens, and Puerto Rico exploring unique Rum Shops, and distilleries of the area.     I will be keeping you abreast of what is going on daily (internet service allowing) as to what new things that we have experienced.

     We will be traveling with Mike Streeter of Rum Connectionrumconnection.com/ and Carlton Grooms of Coastlines and Tanlines www.coastlines-tanlines.com/ , so expect reports from special places like Iggy's, Foxy's, Soggy Dollar, Willy T's, Saba Rock, Cane Garden Bay, Gertrude's, and other Caribbean locales for the next two weeks.    Talk to you from the Islands.   ;o)

Ron Centenario 7 Year Old Rum Tasting at the Rum Bar Key West

     Tomorrow 4 November, 2011 from 1 pm until 5 pm The Rum Bar Key West is featuring Ron Centenario 7 Year Old Rum in a special tasting event.      This is going to be a very special event featuring the Ron Centenario line of fine rums, plus a menu of $5.00 cocktails that feature Ron Centenario 7 Year Old Rum. These are all new Bahama Bob's Rum Lab Cocktails that were created especially for this Ron Centenario event . The best and the worst part of this is that it took some real work to come up with only 5 cocktails of this caliber because the rum fit so well into so many of the new creations.       A final Rum Lab this past Tuesday was charged with the duty to male sure of which ones we really wanted for this presentation.    One new recipe was added to the menu, but other wise the menu stayed the same as originally planned.

Lone Palm Tiki was added to the menu, because we felt that a Tiki theme cocktail would be ideal to showcase this particular premium rum in the Tiki inviornment.    




Lone Palm Tiki
·         1 oz. Ron Centenario 7 Year Old Rum
·         1 oz. Blue Curacao
·         1/2 oz. Cream of Coconut
·         1 1/2 oz. Pineapple Juice
·         Splash of. Grapefruit Juice
·         1/2 oz. Bahama Bob’s #4 Syrup
·         Splash of Barrett’s Ginger Beer

All of the ingredients except the Ginger Beer are placed in a shaker with Ice and shaken until chilled.   Strain into a pint glass filled with ice, top off with Barrett's Ginger Beer, and garnish with an orange and a sprig of mint.

     Tomorrow is the big day for Ron Centenario at the Rum Bar Key West, so don't forget to stop by and try one of our new Premium Cocktails for only $5 from 1pm until 5 pm.    

Denizen Rum Tasting Thursday and Rum Lab Goes Tiki

     Thursday is the Denizen Rum Tasting event at the Rum Bar at 1117 Duval Street from 1 pm until 5 pm.    The event will feature Denizen Rum with a special $5 Denizen Rum premium cocktail menu for your enjoyment.     These are very special cocktails that were developed especially for this event in the Rum Lab of Bahama Bob Leonard.     This is a chance to stop by and become acquainted with this fine Rum and some unique and flavorful cocktails.    Don't miss this event, you will be disappointed if you do.

     Yesterday, the Rum Lab went Tiki and came up with some really fine cocktails that take us back to the era of Don the Beachcomber and Trader Vic.    These are some new creations and some revisions of both the Mai Tai of Trader Vic and Bahama Bob's version of the famous Don the Beachcomber's Zombie.    Part of the research was the creation of a new Bahama Bob #4 syrup that helped bring several of the cocktails to life.     This was a very rewarding part of the day in the lab as well as ending up with 6 new cocktails for the up and coming book.     Special thanks to my "lab mice: who always provide me with a great deal of input in the finishing of these new cocktails.
The hit of the lad day was a new cocktail called Long Palm Tiki, it was the unanimous choice of the group as the best one of the day.

Long Palm Tiki

• 1 1/2 oz. Ron Centenario 7 Year Old Rum
• 1 oz. Blue Curacao
• 1 oz. Creme of Coconut
• 1 1/2 oz. Pineapple Juice
• 1/2 oz.  Bahama Bob's #4 Syrup
• Splash of Grapefruit Juice
• Splash of Barrett's Ginger Beer.

Put all the ingredients into a shaker with ice, except the Ginger Beer, Shake until chilled and strain into a pint glass with crushed ice.   Garnish with an Orange, a Sprig of Mint, and a Cherry.

     This week is going to be a busy busy week of fun and frolic here in Key West with two rum promotions and Saturday's departure for the Virgin Islands and a week of rum and cocktail research in some of the most interesting bars anywhere.     Stay with me as we navigate through the next 3 weeks of fun, frolic and unusual bars.    ;o)

Big Week Ahead

     Fantasyfest is behind us now, but this is a huge week here also.    First there is a Rum Lab today, then Tomorrow the Annual Phlocking of the Parrotheads to Key West begins, Thursday we have a Denizen Rum Promotion at the Rum Bar, Friday a Ron Centenario 7 Year Old Rum Promotion at the Rum Bar, and Finally on Saturday morning it is off the The Virgin Islands.

     The Meeting of the Minds as it is called begins Wednesday and there will be literally thousands of Parrotheads in Key West hoping for a glimpse of Jimmy Buffett as they party up and down Duval Street.     This annual phlocking as they call it is just a great excuse to leave the cold weather of the north and come south for a break and party to escape winter.  

     Denizen is the Thursday rum tasting event at the Rum Bar this week.    There will be some very fine cocktails that showcase this fine rum for $5 each.     This is a high quality rum that will make your palate happy as you enjoy one of the 5 great cocktails.     The event runs from 1pm until 5pm and you are all requested to make an appearance at the Rum Bar and enjoy some of the fun and fine rum cocktails.

     Ron Centenario takes center stage at the Rum Bar on Friday with another fun rum tasting party to celebrate the new Ron Centenario 7 Year Old Rum.    This too will feature $5 cocktails that are made with this fantastic Costa Rican rum.    The event runs from 1pm until 5 pm.      Please take some time out of your day as you move up and down Duval Street on Thursday and Friday to stop by and I'll be proud to  mix your Denizen and Ron Centenario cocktails personally.

My friend Martin Cates Tiki Style

     Today is going to be another of the Rum Labs, but a bit different this time.    We are going to try to mix purely Tiki Style cocktails and try to travel back to the Tiki Era of the 40's through the 80's.     This was the era of Don the Beachcomber and Trader Vic, both of which were responsible for many of the wonderful cocktails that we still enjoy to this day.   

Finally Saturday it is off to the Virgin Islands for more rum research and adventure  for a week.   Then to Puerto Rico, Barbados, St. Lucia, Martinique, Antigua, St. Croix, and back to Puerto Rico.    This will be a great trip to visit 7 distilleries and find new rums for the Rum Bar and the Rum Lab to bring to you.    ;o)  

Just a Little Something for Review

It was surly a blast for all of us involved from the Start of Goombay to the Fat Lady Sang at La Te Da last night.     It was a great party that took the stuffing out of most of us that were involved, but worth every minute that we spent out and about in the sunshine and the rain.     Thanks for all the memories.     ;o)

The Party has Finally Come to an End

     Last night brought the 2011 Fantasyfest to an end here in Key West with a incredible parade and day of street frolic.     The 2011 Fantasy fest showed little of the tight economy, but rather the need for people to shake the bonds of stress and gloom and party until you can't party anymore.
Most of us have been partying for a little over a week know and the toll is starting to show.   The parade and it's fabulous floats and all of the people that are manning them make this one of the most fun parades that you can attend anywhere.     Yes it is a bit risque, but good fun and well liked by all of us down here in Key West.     Remember we are just a little bit different down here. 

     No matter what you fantasy, you could have lived it this past week here in Key West, and I'm looking to see what next year's Fantasyfest will bring to light again.    So long from Fantasyfest 2001.   ;o)

Today is the Big Day of Fantasyfest 2011

     Tonight is the Captain Morgan Fantasyfest Parade here in Key West.   The week of craziness and debauchery is coming to an end at last.    Don't know how much more of the insanity the people down here can handle.     So far it has been a wild week  with everyone having a great time running from party to party and just hanging in the streets.     Yesterday the People's Parade brought a large number of costumed people into the street for a march from the cemetery to the downtown area.

      The costumes following the theme of "Aquatic-a-Frolic" have produced some fantastically creative ideas and designs.     Tonight the parade promises to be equally as exciting and creative.    There is a lot of excitement among the participants and the tourists for tonight's parade and the frolicking good time that always goes along with the parade.

     Today and tonight the Rum Bar like most of the other bars up and down Duval Street will be having the annual parties that make the parade so much fun.    There are also many private parties from the upper story residents along the parade route that go on and on and on into the wee hours of the morning.     No matter where you are for this event, whether it be sitting on the curb, up in a suite on on the balcony, this event is one you won't quickly forget.    Be Safe, and have a great time tonight all.     ;o)

Seems Like the Party will Never End

     This is the party time here in Key West, and today starts the Street Fair night and tomorrow is the Captain Morgan Parade.    These are the climax of Fantasyfest in my mind.    I totally enjoy wandering through the streets taking pictures of all of the antics that go on here each year.     I really get into this every year and working behind the bar, I find myself getting into all the fun at the same time.    This is true adult party time fun that is a shame to miss.     It is my experience that if you stay into the scene of what ever is going on down here in Key West you will find yourself feeling younger and more alive than ever.

     There are a couple of Rum Events happening next week that I need to let you know about.   First, next Thursday there is a Denizen Rum Cocktail Special event at the Rum Bar at 1117 Duval Street from 1 til 5pm.     There is a Ron Centenario Event also at the Rum Bar on Friday from 1 til 5pm.     Both of these event sill feature special cocktails made with these very fine rums and all of them will be sold for only $5 each.     I'll be behind the bar mixing you special Rum Lab created cocktails for you, so make sure that you get by to see us while you are out and about for the Meeting of the Minds events.

     Big happenings all over Key West for the next 2 weeks, so make sure that you get down here and join in all of the fun we seem to be having on a regular basis.    I'll be posting some coverage of the events tomorrow and some more information on the Denizen and the Ron Centenario Rum events at the Rum Bar as well.     ;o)

Fill You in Tomorrow

   There have been computer problems all morning, but I'll get you caught up on all the activities going on here in Key West with Fantasyfest in full swing.    Be patient, and it will all come to you in living color and all.
I can't even get a picture to load today, so sorry, I'll see if things are working better tomorrow.   ;o(

The Centenario Menu is Complete

     The Ron Centenario 7 Year Old Rum Menu is now set for the up and coming promotions to be held at the Rum Bar in Key West on the 4th of November, 2011.     This is going to be a very special event featuring the Ron Centenario  line of fine rums, plus a menu of $5.00 cocktails featuring Ron Centenario 7 Year Old Rum.      These are all new Bahama Bob Cocktails that were created just for this Ron Centenario event following a couple of days of research in the Rum Lab .     The best and the worst part of this is that it took some real work to come up with 5 cocktails of this caliber because the rum is so good and delicate on it's own.   Many of the recipe ideas buried the fine flavor of this very special rum in the mix, loosing the special flavor of the rum.     The good part is that when we got it right, it was really right, and these cocktails are really something special.

Ginger Snaps

• 1 1/2 oz. Ron Centenario 7 Year Old Rum 
• 1/2 oz. Siesta Key Spiced Rum
• 1 oz. Pineapple Juice
• 1 1/2 oz. Barrett's Ginger Beer.

Place all the ingredients except the ginger beer in a shaker with ice and shake until chilled.    Strain into a cocktail Glass filled with ice and top up with the Ginger Beer.     Garnish with a sprig of mint.

Centenario Dream

• 1 1/2 oz. Ron Centenario 7 Year Old Rum
• 1 1/2 oz. White Creme de Cocoa
• 2 oz. Orange Juice
• 2 oz. Half and Half
• Squeeze of Lime Juice

Place all ingredients into a Shaker and shake until chilled.    Strain into a Cocktail Glass and top with fresh ground nutmeg.    Garnish with an orange wheel.

Centenario de Light

• 2 oz. Ron Centenario 7 Year Old Rum
• 1 oz. Amaretto
• 1/2 oz. Vanilla Rum
• 2 oz. Barrett's Ginger Beer

Place all the ingredients except the ginger beer into a shaker and shake until chilled.     Strain into a pint glass filled with ice and garnish with a lime

Costa Rican Punch

• 1 1/2 oz Ron Centenario 7 Year Old Rum
• 1/2 oz. Aguardiente
• 1/2 oz. Falernum
• 1 oz. Pineapple Juice
• 1/2 oz. Grapefruit Juice
• 3/4 oz. Orange Juice
• Dash of Bitters

Combine all the ingredients into a shaker filled with ice and pour int a pint glass.    Garnish with with an orange and cherry.

Costa Rican Espresso

• 1 1/2 oz. Ron Centenario 7 Year Old Rum
• 1 oz. Brinley Gold Coffee Rum
• 3/4 oz. Amaretto
• 1/2 oz. Dark Creme de Cocoa
• 2 oz. Half and Half

Place all the ingredients in a shaker and shake until chilled, pour int a highball glass and top with fresh ground nutmeg.     Garnish with a mint sprig.

No matter how you enjoy this wonderful Ron Centenario 7 Year Old Rum, it is a winner.      Enjoy these cocktail ideas and we will see you on the 4th of November at the Rum Bar in Key West for this special event for Ron Centenario.     ;o)

Fantasyfest is in Full Swing in Key West

     The weekend of Goombay has officially kicked off Fantasyfest for 2011.     Tonight is the 12th Annual Kelly's Kinky Karnival, with the Finnegan's Wake Green Party and Captain Tony's Party in Plaid tomorrow night.     This is only the start of this week of complete debauchery and drunkenness on and around Old Town Key West.

     This is an annual event that has drawn the a very diverse crowd that really enjoys what Fantasyfest is about.     The party starts at 9pm and runs til closing with the crowd dancing to the DJ and drinking and having a frolicking good time.   Kelly's Kinky Karnival is one of the most infamous events of Fantasyfest, and it is not even on the Fantasyfest schedule.     To be allowed admission you have to be dressed in fetish attire.     Buy your tickets during the day today or be there early because it will sell out quickly.     Once your in just have fun with the S & M demonstrations and the raunchiest great time that is spread out on both floors and  the tropical garden.     This party has something for every one.

     Tuesday brings the Captain Tony's Party in Plaid and Finnegan's Wake Green Party to the forefront of the nights events.    Captain Tony's Party in Plaid is a party you can pay the cover and go inside or just hang out on the street and have a great time as well.     Make sure that you wear plaid to stay in the spirit of the party,  then you can really become a part of the fun and frolic.     The other big party is of course, Finnegan's Wake Green Party.    The dress is green and the rest is up to you and you imagination.   They have a contest for the best "Eco Green Wear"

     No matter what events you attend during the week, Fantasyfest is a great adults party that you need to attend .     ;o)

Sunday Morning Beach

Oh the peace and serenity of the beach on a Sunday morning.   ;o)