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| - The Rhumbar looks way cheesy as you walk into the bar just inside the entrance into the Mirage. The actual indoor bar is quite small and a bit Miami-garish. However, most of the seating is outside on the patio in a comfortable setting. With a name like "Rhumbar", you'd expect overpriced, uninspired rum drinks served by aloof cocktail waitresses. Cuba Libre, anyone? How about a Pina Colada? Looks can be deceiving and expectations can be off the mark.
True...Rhumbar does specialize in rum-based cocktails, but they were unexpectedly original and good. Props to Rhumbar for their very good Latin Manhattan ($12), a take on a Manhattan with Cruzan Single Barrel Rum, falernum liqueur, lime, bitters, spices and a ginger beer. Also, the Spicy Lover ($12), a Cuervo Platino tequila based cocktail with cucumber, cilantro, lime juice, agave nectar and a dash of Tabasco that offered a tasty sweet/spicy contrast. Both drinks were reasonably priced considering their quality and the fact that we were at a bar at a casino on the Strip. Jaclyn, our very lovely and capable server, was certainly not aloof and did a solid job taking care of our group. The only downside to Rhumbar was their use of heat lamps over tables. It was only in the low 60s and they were cranking up the heat lamps! Our party was getting roasted alive. I think I got a 2nd degree burn on my scalp. Thankfully, I had a good drink in my hand to keep me cool. 3.5 stars...rounding up to 4.
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