"Travis Rosenthal's Capitol Hill rum bar pours from 700-plus bottles beside pepperpot chicken — for a first date or a late island-style night out."
About Rumba
Rumba opened on lower Pike Street in September 2012 as Seattle's first dedicated rum bar, the work of owner Travis Rosenthal — originally conceived as the waiting room for his adjacent Spanish tapas spot, Tango. It quickly outgrew that brief, and now anchors Capitol Hill's Pike/Pine corridor as a destination Caribbean cocktail bar.
It is one of the more distinctive drinking-and-dining rooms in Seattle, and earns a place on The World's 50 Best Discovery list. For a different late-night corner of the city, the pan-Asian Ba Bar and the cocktail landmark Canon are both close.
The Kitchen
The draw is the rum: a collection of well over 700 sugar-cane spirits, with a printed Rum Map that lets you tour the Caribbean across 60 pours of your choosing, plus Prohibition-era Havana classics and tiki drinks made with fresh juice and house syrups.
The island-inspired kitchen keeps pace with baked empanadas, hibiscus-smoked wings and a Trinidadian pepperpot chicken. Upstairs, the same team runs the tiki-leaning bar Inside Passage; the nearby Bar Melusine makes a good seafood pairing earlier in the evening.
The Room
The room is dark, warm and rum-soaked — bottles glowing along the back bar, low light, a Havana-meets-tiki mood. It is a bar first and a restaurant second, busiest from early evening onward, and built for lingering over cocktails rather than a sit-down dinner.
Best for a first date
The low light, deep rum list and unhurried bar make Rumba a confident first date, and the island cocktails and shareable plates set up a lively birthday night out.
Not for
Not for a teetotal or early-evening crowd — Rumba is a rum-led bar that opens late afternoon and leans into cocktails over a full sit-down dinner.
Frequently Asked
What is Rumba in Seattle known for?
Being Seattle's first rum bar, with a collection of well over 700 rums and a Rum Map that lets guests taste their way around the Caribbean, alongside tiki and Prohibition-era cocktails.
Who owns Rumba?
Owner Travis Rosenthal opened Rumba in September 2012, next to his Spanish tapas restaurant Tango. The same team runs the upstairs tiki bar Inside Passage.
Does Rumba serve food?
Yes — an island-inspired menu of baked empanadas, hibiscus-smoked wings and Trinidadian pepperpot chicken, though the bar and its rum list are the main attraction.
Where is Rumba located?
At 1112 Pike Street in Seattle's Pike/Pine corridor on Capitol Hill. It opens in the late afternoon and is closed on Mondays.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Rumba
Mostly walk-in; opens late afternoon, closed Mondays.
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Practical Information
Address1112 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101
NeighbourhoodPike/Pine, Capitol Hill
CuisineCaribbean / Rum Bar
PriceCocktails ~$13–16; small plates ~$9–18
Dress CodeCasual
SeatingCocktail bar & tables
ReservationWalk-in; groups can call ahead
