Our Story

Growing up in Grenada, I realized that even locals don't know about all the amazing rum shops across our islands. My friends from St. George's had never been to the legendary spots in Carriacou. People from the countryside didn't know about the hidden gems tucked away in town. We were missing out on our own culture.

I started thinking about all the places that shaped my understanding of what it means to be Grenadian—from my grandfather's regular spot where fishermen gathered before dawn, to the family-run shop where we celebrated after cricket matches. These weren't just places to buy drinks; they were the heartbeat of our communities, the keepers of our stories.

But how many young Grenadians today know where to find the best doubles on a Friday morning? Or which shops serve oil down on Sundays? We were losing touch with the places that define us, one generation at a time.

I became obsessed with documenting our rum shop culture before it was too late. Every weekend meant exploring a different parish, talking to owners who'd been serving the same families for decades, learning the stories behind each spot. I discovered that each area had its own character—St. Andrew's mountain shops felt different from Carriacou's beachside bars.

I started keeping detailed records—not as a reviewer, but as a cultural curator. Which shops had the best local rum blends? Where did the fishermen stop for an early morning shot before heading out? Where could young professionals grab a quick drink after work without the tourist crowds? These places had their own rhythms, their own unwritten rules that only locals understood.

Friends and family started asking me for recommendations. "Where should I take my cousin who's visiting from Trinidad?" "Which shop serves the best food?" "Where can I go that feels like home?" I realized I wasn't just collecting information—I was preserving our cultural DNA.

The turning point came when my own nephew, born and raised here, asked me where he should take his girlfriend for a "real Grenadian experience." He'd been drinking at the same two or three spots near his home his whole life and wanted to explore. Meanwhile, I knew dozens of incredible places he'd never heard of, just a few parishes away.

That's when the idea for Where To Rum crystallized. This wasn't about tourism—it was about helping Grenadians rediscover their own culture. If locals could find and support more of these authentic spots, we'd preserve them for future generations. The economic benefit to shop owners would be a bonus, but the real mission was cultural preservation.

And if respectful visitors happened to discover these places too? Well, that would bring additional income to our local business owners while spreading appreciation for authentic Grenadian culture. But locals first, always.

Today, Where To Rum represents a lifetime of relationships with shop owners, countless conversations with locals across all parishes, and deep respect for the traditions that define us as Grenadians. Every listing comes from personal experience and community knowledge (and yes, I did my research thoroughly— someone had to taste all that rum!).

This platform is for us first—helping Grenadians discover the incredible diversity of our own rum shop culture. From the political debates over dominoes in St. George's to the sunset punches in Petit Martinique, every spot tells our story. When locals support these businesses, we keep our culture alive.

But this is just the beginning. The same rum shop culture that defines us exists throughout the Caribbean—from the corner bars in Barbados to the beach shacks in Trinidad, from the family-run spots in Jamaica to the hidden gems in St. Lucia. Each island has its own version of what we have here, and locals everywhere deserve to rediscover their own cultural treasures. Where To Rum will expand across the region, celebrating the drinking traditions that unite us as Caribbean people.

This is my love letter to home—to the island that shaped me and the culture that runs deeper than any rum. It's about ensuring that future generations of Grenadians can find these special places, understand their significance, and keep the traditions alive. And soon, it'll be about helping our Caribbean neighbors do the same across the entire region.