Be the Fun
The Rum Life started with a love for BMX, apparel and rum, obviously. Now, founders Olly and Emily are serving up the good times with coffee and cocktails through their mobile bars and much anticipated summer pop up. We sat down with them to uncover the story behind The Rum Life, and how they're creating a space for community and memories.
Hey guys! Let’s get into it... What is The Rum Life, both metaphorically and physically? How did it all begin?
Hi Liv! Good question… we’re a lifestyle brand that builds and rents mobile bars. We create communities, social hangouts, and good times with great friends.
We started out in 2014 as a fun little apparel brand. The Rum Life has its roots in BMX, skate and surf culture. We’re lovers of festivals, parties, road trips, travel, adventures... all the fun stuff. It’s a broad brush, but you could paint any of those things as “The Rum Life”. As long as it puts a smile on your face, that’s what we’re all about.
These days, our main thing is the summer long pop-up over on Grange Hill, Wareham, run by Emily and myself, with our labrador Lemmy along for the ride.
Metaphorically, I suppose The Rum Life is our way of trying to live a bit of a different life, a step away from the rush of the mainstream. ‘Be the fun’ is our ethos, and we’re always looking to try new ideas, the brand is a way of us doing that. We took a leap into it, leaving behind our full-time jobs, along with the comforts of ‘normal life’. This is our attempt at finding a slightly different path to travel, away from full time working, and instead getting us back to full time living.
Why rum and why coffee?
Rum is my drink of choice, so that bit is easy. Who doesn't love the idea of a nice rum on a beach somewhere? The coffee and cocktails idea came about when considering building the first bar. I'd seen countless coffee vans and loads of mobile cocktail bars. But very few who offered both. We sell great coffee and delicious cocktails–the perfect combo.
Most memorable event or Rum Life set up yet?
It’s got to be our bar at the Pop-Up On The Hill. We installed a proper coffee shop and bar set up last summer, and are creating something even bigger and more exciting this year.
It’s a grazing paddock most of the time, but come May we'll move in and build a site that has something for everyone. Craft cocktails and coffees served to a backdrop of some of the best views in Dorset. We champion local produce – there’s always a warm welcome at our home from home, up on the hill.
Tell us a bit about the Rum Life Customs side of things...
Rum Life Customs is our workshop. We built our original trailer there, have just finished our new van conversion, and it's currently housing the creation of our next trailer bar. Building things for the business is something we'll always be doing, and part of the plan for The Rum Life is to be building things for others too, as well as hiring out our trailer bar for celebrations… think parties and weddings which we’ve done a fair few of already!
What’s coming up next?
We’re just about to head off to France in our van to see some old friends in the mountains and travel for a while. Then our spring will be spent working on our summer pop up, ready to open for the Bank Holiday Weekend on Friday 24th May. We’ll be open every weekend up until the 30th August. Expect a festival atmosphere with great music, with something fun happening each week – dinner clubs, live music, pop up yoga, a place to chill out with a drink after a hike. Steeple Leaze farm campsite is a short walk down the road, there’ll be a clothing and artisan market inside our marquee, and plenty of space for kids to run free!
What’s the vision for the future?
Travel, serve great coffee and meet good people. We’ll be producing more apparel, hosting events, organising road trips, and bringing The Rum Life atmosphere to festivals and events nationwide. If you follow us at @therumlife, we’ll keep you updated with every upcoming Rum Life event.
Last one–best rum based cocktail?!
I make a fantastic rum punch with ground nutmeg. Although not rum based, Emily’s margaritas are very special.
Website → therumlife.co.uk
Instagram → @therumlife
