El Arsenal: The Rum Box
The Rum Box occupies a tiny stone-walled space in Getsemaní dedicated entirely to rum. The collection spans Caribbean producers from Barbados to Venezuela, aged Colombian rums, and rare bottles that rum enthusiasts will lose their minds over. Flights are available for tasting, and the staff guides you through the differences between aged, dark, spiced, and white varieties. The cocktails use rum as the base for everything, naturally. It's a specialist bar that serves its niche perfectly: small, focused, and run by people who genuinely care about rum. The colonial setting adds atmosphere without needing decoration.
What to Expect
A tiny, focused rum bar where the spirit is king. The colonial stone walls and low lighting create intimacy. Conversations with the bartender are part of the experience. Not a place for groups larger than four; the space won't allow it.
Intimate, focused, and rum-soaked. A specialist bar in a colonial shell.
Background Caribbean and jazz. Quiet enough for conversation.
Casual. Getsemaní standard.
Rum lovers and spirit enthusiasts looking for a specialist experience.
Cards and cash accepted
Price Range
Rum flights COP 30,000-50,000, cocktails COP 20,000-40,000
≈ €4-11 / $5-12
Hours
Daily from 5 PM to midnight
Insider Tip
Start with a tasting flight to find your style, then move to cocktails. The staff knows every bottle on the shelf. Ask about the Colombian aged rums if you want something you can't get at home.
Full Review
The Rum Box is genuinely tiny. You'll count maybe a dozen seats at the bar and a handful of small tables pressed against stone walls that have been standing since the colonial era. The bottle collection dominates the visual field, with Caribbean rums from Barbados, Venezuela, Guatemala, and Colombia arranged by region and age. Low lighting and the stone architecture create an atmosphere that feels more like a private tasting room than a public bar.
The bartender is as much a guide as a server here. Rum flights walk you through the differences between aged, dark, spiced, and white varieties, with explanations that are informative without being pretentious. Once you've identified your preferences, the cocktails are built around them. The crowd is small by design, mostly spirit enthusiasts and couples who've done their research before arriving.
Siem Reap has Miss Wong for cocktail atmosphere; Cartagena has The Rum Box for rum. Compared to the louder, larger bars in Getsemani, this place operates on a different frequency. It's not competing with Cafe Havana for energy or Demente for creativity. It's a specialist doing one thing with precision.
Don't bring a group larger than four; the space can't handle it. Ask about the Colombian aged rums specifically, as these are harder to find outside the country. The flights offer better value than ordering individual pours.
The Neighborhood
Tucked into the El Arsenal area of Getsemani, The Rum Box occupies a quieter stretch away from the main bar-hopping corridor. It's close enough to walk to from Plaza de la Trinidad but far enough to feel like a deliberate destination rather than a stumble-upon.
Getting There
Walking distance from anywhere in Getsemani or the walled city. From Bocagrande, a taxi runs COP 10,000-15,000. The bar is small and unsigned, so confirm the exact address before heading out.
Where to stay in Cartagena
Compare hotels near the nightlife districts. Free cancellation on most properties.
Other Venues in Getsemani
Café Havana
Legendary live salsa institution and a Cartagena pilgrimage site. Cuban-style son and salsa bands play nightly. Expect a line on weekends and a cover around 20,000 COP.
Demente
Graffiti-covered bar with cheap cocktails and a backpacker-heavy crowd. Good early-evening spot for drinks around Plaza de la Trinidad before heading elsewhere.
Beiyu
Asian-fusion cocktail bar bringing a different flavor to Getsemaní's scene. Moody lighting, creative drinks, and a crowd that skews toward late-20s and 30-somethings.
Media Luna Hostel Bar
Open-air hostel bar that doubles as one of Getsemaní's main social hubs. Cheap drinks, rotating DJs, and a reliable starting point for backpackers before a night out.
La Jugada Getsemani
Lively corner bar near Plaza de la Trinidad with reggaeton and champeta on the speakers. Cheap beers and a young crowd that spills onto the sidewalk on weekends.
Alquimico Terraza
The open-air rooftop level of Alquimico with its own cocktail menu and views across the Getsemani rooftops. Separate entrance queue on busy nights.