New & now
This new rum bar in Valletta is pirate-free but full of mojitos
Rumrunner recently opened its doors on St Lucy Street.

Jo Caruana

My favourite thing about Valletta is that you never really know what could be around the next corner. Baroque theatre, fine dining restaurant, boutique art gallery or, now, Rumrunner – a cute little rum bar that’s popped up on St Lucy’s Street, right by the uber hip Blitz art gallery.

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Set up by experienced hospitality sector veterans Peter and Csaba, who recently moved to Malta from Hungary, the duo realised they shared a life goal: to open their own business. They toured the island to find their ideal spot and soon fell in love with the capital, believing it to have unique characteristics among Mediterranean cities.

“Our main aim was to create something innovative and unique,” explains Csaba. “We realised that Malta didn’t have a rum bar and – as rum lovers ourselves – we jumped at the opportunity. We also wanted to relate the business to the prohibition era of alcohol way back in the 1920s, and to give our customers an experience that represents that period. It was also that period that gave the business its name – Rumrunner.”

Unsurprisingly, the bar’s main focus is rum – with an incredible 20 different types to choose from. That said, you won’t be tied to the rum idea if you don’t want to be, and Rumrunner does serve a full selection of local and foreign beers and wines. “However the feedback we’re getting is that our regulars absolutely love the rum,” Peter says.

And there are all sorts of ways to take your rum too – from neat (which Csaba says is preferred by rum fans), to classic rum-based cocktails like mojitos, and special Tiki Cocktails that are unique to Rumrunner.

Plus, with a number of delicious platters to choose from, and even a selection of games to play (darts, table soccer, cards and board games), the bar promises a complete experience for an alternative evening out.

My conclusion? The pirates would approve.


Jo  Caruana
Written by
Jo Caruana
Jo is a magazine editor and actress who is passionate about all things foodie and cultural on her island home. Her favourite pastimes include writing in cafes, performing at the Manoel Theatre, and exploring the countryside with her three beloved dogs.

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