Is This the Final Goodbye for Islamorada’s Rum Runners?

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One of the most unique beach bars in the Florida Keys is Rum Runners in Islamorada. Located at the Postcard Inn at Holiday Isle, the multi-level bar with multiple perches overlooking the Atlantic Ocean has been a longtime favorite of locals and visitors alike, even taking a prominent role in the Zac Brown Band’s hit single, “Jump Right In.”

The status of Rum Runners, though, has been brought into question as various sites and comments by reviewers on the internet have mentioned that the beach bar is now closed. While it appears Rum Runners is closed for the time being, its future status remains up in the air. After posting about it on my Facebook page, most people who appeared to have some inclination as to what was going on said it was going to become a new event building. Does this mean that the days of climbing the stairs at Rum Runners to enjoy its incomparable views with a cold cocktail in hand are behind us? While the bar wasn’t in the most convenient location on the Postcard Inn’s property, it’s still somewhat sad to see such an iconic structure fade into just a memory.

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Please note that this article is about the status of the Rum Runners bar and not the Postcard Inn. I’ve reached out to the Postcard Inn via social media for a comment but have not heard back as of the posting of this article. To find out more about my experience at the Postcard Inn, you can read the reviews of my stay here and here.

floriday keys, beach bar

Have you been to Rum Runners? If so, please share some of your favorite memories in the comments below so we can create an online archive of great times at a great beach bar.

Author: Tom W.

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30 Comments

  1. I loved that place!! When I moved to a miami for college my friends and I would drive down all the time! One of my favorite memories from then! I hope it comes back!!!

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    • Thanks for the comment, Tricia! Hopefully we’ll find out soon what their plans are!

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      • Just talked to Postcard and The Rum Runners bar has been torn down to make way for a new
        place called Jaws.

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        • Thanks for the update, Jannett! I had seen that it was torn down but hadn’t heard about any firm plans for the future.

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        • I spent a week in islamorada at a friends condo. We were at rum runners almost every night and so were the box tops. It was a great place to relax and have fun!

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    • It was my favorite destination when I lived in Florida in the WPB area. Remember driving down one NY Eve and being so happy to get there said to the bartender I need about 5 Pina coladas jokingly. He took me seriously and luckily I stopped him after he poured 3 which I had to buy, lol. Turn this place into a GB Packer bar, it can’t miss!!

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      • I have the original sign from Kokomo’s I would like to return it but don’t know how please help me

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  2. Loved rum runners, every year me and my girls would go there for four to five days, im talking as far back as to when Trapper was there, after his passing the place wasn’t the same, even as you say post card inn, it wasn’t called that then either, it was Holiday Isles, we always stayed at el capitan, and or at tThe Holiday Isle hotel facing the ocean, there was always the Howard Johnsons as well…will never go back the place has changed so much, they’re ruining the keys in my opinion.

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    • Appreciate the comment, Debbie. The Keys hold special memories for a lot of us!

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    • I tended bar with Trapper and Lars in 200-2001

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      • I’ll bet those were some great times, Ken!

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  3. It was my wife and i first Anniversary and we took a trip down to Key West to celebrate..We ended up at some tree house type bars , well little did we know it was a great land mark not to mention one cool as hell tree house.. We enjoyed our frozen drinks as we looked over a wedding ceramony .. Man did we enjoy that place .. Went down the following year just to find out it no longer was open .. Was a blow as i spent many of nights thinking of being back there… But this year we will be on a bike and looking for another jem…

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    • That’s a great story, Tim, and thank you for sharing it with us! I agree – it is a blow but here’s to you finding that next gem and when you do, please let us know. Safe travels!

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  4. GOOD MEMORIES THERE

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      • According to Postcard Inn website they have the original Tiki bar? Is the same as what is being mentioned here?

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        • Paul, the self-declared “World Famous Tiki Bar” is separate from Rum Runners and is still open for business. Thanks for asking!

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  5. Sadly we will not return to Postcards Inn unless they bring back Rum Runners. When it was open, this place was the only reason we never ventured beyond Islamorada. Please open it again soon! Call it whatever you want, but don’t keep it closed forever.

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    • It was a great bar and we do miss it!

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  6. We pulled into the parking lot recently and were stunned to see the bar was gone. The only thing there is a Tiki roof structure, it looks like it’s used for outdoor weddings or events. I loved that place, it was fun to sit way up top soaking in the beauty of Islamorada.

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    • It will be missed for sure. It’s too bad they couldn’t justify keeping it around. Thanks for sharing your memory of it!

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  7. I tended bar there in the late 90’s ans early 2000’s Hope it opens again. Tended bar with Trapper and Lars

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    • Ken, that’s very cool to hear from someone who worked here! Unfortunately, I think it may be history but here’s to hoping!

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  8. Tended bar there 2000-2001 right after it was rebuilt after the fire. Move to mainland after 911

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  9. Rumrunners, what a great,unique beach bar. Can’t believe it was torn down. if Jannett is right, a new place called, “Jaws” will take its place. Hope it won’t just another “Ho-hum” beach bar. Great memories there with Trapper, Lars & the other Rumrunner lovers.

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    • I hadn’t heard about Jaws yet but I’ll have to check out their website. Many people made great memories at that bar!

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  10. I’m disabled [walked with a cane] but always drove to Fl. always for at least 2 mos.to get the hell away from our winter cold & snow. Anyway, the firs time I traveled to the Keys, I stopped and got a room at the Ramada, which was about 70 yds from Rumrunners and thankfully within stumbling distance back to my room after a couple of hours of BSIng & laughing with Hemingway look-alike,”Trapper John” & the other characters who always liked to come in early [like me] before the beach crowd arrived…I still can’t believe it was torn down and “panned” by so many. They must be “Blue Noses”. A post I saw here, said a place called, “Jaws” was going to take its place. If so, I hope it has the unique atmosphere, servers & bartenders like Trapper to draw `em. WISH I COULD BE THERE.

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    • It would have been pretty cool to meet Trapper John and BS with him for a while! One of the many reasons we love beach bars!

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  11. I’m POOPSIE…I posted a comment but am a tech dummy…above my comment, it says, “your comment is awaiting moderation”…what the hell is that ? how? can you do it for me ?

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    • Your comments have to be approved by a moderator, POOPSIE. You are now good to go! Thanks for commenting on the article!

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