Ruma to open in Edinburgh

A specialist rum bar named Ruma is opening in Edinburgh and is said to house more than 100 bottles of the spirit.

Slated to open on 29 March, the bar, run by experienced operators Jamie Shields and Steven Aitken, will be located on 39-41 Broughton Street, in the centre of New Town.

With more than 100 bottles of rum at their disposal, the pair believe they have got their hands on the largest collection in Scotland – with bottles covering all corners of the world map, from Barbados to Guyana and Fiji, as well as a few from Scotland itself in Ninefold Distillery, J Gow, Islay Rum and Matugga Rum.

Shields said: “Ruma was born, as many good ideas are, over a couple of drinks with a couple of pals. Edinburgh didn’t have a dedicated rum bar – why not? Rum has been growing in popularity every year, and with the growth of Scottish rum distilleries, it was time to remedy that.

“It’s taken a lot of research and planning but now is the perfect time to launch Edinburgh’s specialist rum bar with summer around the corner.

“There’s something so magical about the Edinburgh hospitality scene and customers’ thirst for knowledge. To have our very own specialist rum bar as a platform to serve and educate people is a dream come true.

“We’ve got rums from all over the world, and some beautiful bottles from right here in Scotland. We can’t wait to open our doors, see familiar faces and make new friends. We are so excited and so proud to be opening Ruma.”

Ruma will take over the space once occupied by Treacle bar and will be a ‘laidback, inviting spot where the rum does the talking’.

Alongside rum, the bar will offer a range of signature cocktails described as ‘deliciously inventive twists’ on classic rum serves.

“It began with a discussion between Jamie and me in a bar over some spectacular rum – we decided Edinburgh deserves its very own specialist rum bar,” Aitken added.

“Edinburgh’s bar scene has grown from strength to strength over the last decade. Being home to Scotland’s largest collection of rum is something we’re really proud of.

“To see everything come together is incredible. Demonstrating to Edinburgh that rum is a beautiful and versatile spirit is something we are really looking forward to.

“There are so many types and variations of this delicious spirit, offering endless possibilities of what it can do in cocktails. We can’t wait for the wonderful people of Edinburgh to walk through Ruma’s doors.”

In addition to Ruma, the Scottish capital will soon welcome the Edinburgh Bar Show, billed as ‘Scotland’s first international bar show’.