It may be Monday, but it is also a gorgeous, sunny day in mid-August--which means it is acceptable to wrap up the work day with a tasty, tropical cocktail. You know, to honor National Rum Day.
National Rum Day might not warrant a day off or holiday pay, but it does give you an excuse to get one of those too-sweet yet delicious drinks that you usually avoid due to shame or fear of hangovers.
We rounded up some of the best places in Chicago to snag a rum cocktail. Check them out:
Rum Day In Chicago: The Best Places To Snag A Tropical Cocktail
Hala Kahiki Lounge (01 of06)
Tropical drinks tend to be loaded with rum, and Hala Kahiki in suburban River Grove is loaded with tropical drinks (95 of them!) The tiki decor, jumbo cocktails and Hawaiian shirt-clad staff puts it high on the kitsch-o-meter, but isn't that what National Rum Day is all about? Hala Kahiki Lounge 2834 River Rd.River Grove, Ill. (credit:Flickr: Fuzzy Gerdes)
Castaways (02 of06)
One complaint Chicagoans often have is the lack of drinking establishments on the lakefront. Sure, there is child-filled Navy Pier, but when it comes to having a tasty, casual cocktail lakeside--there aren't many options. Mayor Daley recently approved a plan to expand liquor licenses to lakefront businesses, but until then--there is Castaways. Modeled after a steamboat on North Avenue beach, Castaways offers Mai Tai's, Hurricanes and pina coladas. They have a decent food menu too. Castaways 1603 N. Lake Shore Drive (look for the steamboat on North Ave. beach)Chicago
Trader Vic's(03 of06)
It was here, then it was gone, and now it's back. Trader Vic's has been a part of Chicago since the late 1950's. With its "potent tropical cocktail concoctions and delicious Americanized adaptations of Polynesian food," what's not to love? Victor Jules “Trader Vic” Bergeron invented the mai tai. Trader Vic's 1030 North State StreetChicago (credit:Flickr: mil8)
Violet Hour(04 of06)
If you are weirded out by the beachy and faux-Polynesian theme we have going on in this slideshow so far, not to worry. Head over to the Violet Hour in Wicker Park. Expect to wait, but also expect some of the best craft cocktails you've ever tasted. A sample of their rum cocktail list:Daisy de SantiagoFlor de Cana 4yr, Lime, Yellow Chartreuse, Mint, Spring BittersTattooed SeamanSailor Jerry, Demerara Syrup, Root Beer BittersThirsty yet? Violet Hour1520 North Damen Ave. Chicago (credit:Flickr: TenSafeFrogs)
Uncle Fatty's Rum Resort(05 of06)
Uncle Fatty's Rum Resort is the "#1 Ultimate Cover Band Venue in Lakeview." Still reading? Well, if you are, they also consider themselves a "7000 square foot playground focused on pure low-maintenance fun." Think of it as the Spring Break you never had. In any case, the “Dirty Monkey"--which is a blend of Malibu, Kahlua, and banana cream topped with whipped cream & chocolate--sounds like the best worst idea ever. Uncle Fatty's Rum Resort2833 N. SheffieldChicago (credit:E. Thomas for Uncle Fatty's)
Trader Todd's (06 of06)
Sound familiar? Well, it sort of is like Trader Vic's with karaoke. Another plus? They make their Key Lime pie from scratch. They also have a diabetes-inducing cocktail called the "Pain Killer" that involves pineapple, coconut, nutmeg and A LOT of rum. Trader Todd's3216 N. Sheffield AvenueChicago (credit:Flickr: spablab)