The Experience, Emeryville: Trader Vic’s Rum

The Experience:

Ever been to a rum festival?

It’s almost here – the 10th San Francisco Rum Festival & Congress descends upon Emeryville at Trader Vic’s on Sat/Sun, Sept 13/14.

It’s a a tropical weekend of rum tastings, tiki cocktails, and island vibes. Ideal for both rum connoisseurs, bartenders and casual consumers eager to taste (unlimited), explore, and learn about rum, with over 85 distinct award-winning premium rum brands (200 expressions). There are two parts to the fest

Saturday, September 13 – Rum Fest Grand Tasting 2-7pm Based on your interest in rum, they offer different ticket options. Grand Tasting ticket holders can stay at the event during DaiquiriMANIA.

Sunday, September 14 – Rum Congress – 2-7pm Sip, swirl, and celebrate all things rum!
Two days of world-class rum, tiki cocktails, & tropical chaos— and tickets are now available! Tickets

Music by: DJ Speakeasy Ray. Enjoy the afternoon light as the sun begins to dip and you slowly finish off your tiki indulgence.. 510-653-3400

About Trader Vic’s + the Mai Tai

Decades ahead of his time, Vic ‘The Trader’ Bergeron chose to offer Chinese dishes alongside the then-contemporary Continental cuisine, creating maybe the original fusion menu. Today, Trader Vic’s continues the tradition and still uses the Chinese Wood-fired Ovens featuring dishes from the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Asia, and Japan. And, as we all know, Trader Vic’s claims to be home to the original Mai Tai.

According to the Trader, Vic Bergeron, “In 1944, after success with several exotic rum drinks, I felt a new drink was needed. I was at the service bar in my Oakland restaurant. I took down a bottle of 17-year-old Jamaican J. Wray Nephew rum, added fresh lime, some Orange Curaçao from Holland, a dash of Rock Candy Syrup, and a dollop of French Orgeat, for its subtle flavor. A generous amount of shaved ice and vigorous shaking by hand produced the marriage I was after. Half the lime shell went in for color, I stuck in a branch of fresh mint, and gave two of them to Ham and Carrie Guild, friends from Tahiti, who were there that night. Carrie took one sip and said, “Mai Tai – Roa Ae” In Tahitian means “Out of this World- The Best”. Well, that was that, I named the drink ‘Mai Tai.’”

(Victor Bergeron and Carrie Guild featured below in 1970)

Hours: Wednesday-Sunday: