People’s Paradise
A Sunshine Coast rum distillery has won the heart of Carlie Wacker with its quirky twist on spirits and its fun house in Warana. This is a paradise for your palate and for the people!
Say Hello to Paradise Rum – the house of fun set amongst a tree-lined Warana street overlooking Mooloolah River. It’s escapism at its finest when you step foot inside this colourful, airy venue pumping out cool, recognisable tunes and serving up something fresh, new and made for you.
Paradise Rum is the work of the sassy couple Chris and Cathryn Clyne. The brief was simple: create a fun rum for the people of the Sunshine Coast.
“The minute we decided to create this business we knew it had to be paradise. We live in paradise; I am a rum drinker and rum is coming on,” says Chris.
Gin and vodka distilleries are branching out into rum as its popularity grows.
General manager Sam Kennett says “Rum is the next big category to shine and we are ahead of the game.”
Chris adds that because it takes at least two years to mature in the barrel we will only now start to see more rum options hit the market.
“There are a few rums now that will start to filter out but our flavour profile is unique,” he said. “Our Caribbean Rum is true to that style of rum with our fun take on it. We’ve searched the world to bring you the finest blend and our rum is distilled in American Oak barrels for five years before it is hand bottled in-house.”
The aged and spiced rum is just the start of the fun. They also make the most delicious coconut vodka I have ever consumed. It’s a real coconut flavour, not a sweet imitation. This is the only Coconut Vodka we should be drinking – it’s like they bottled the essence of the Sunshine Coast and sprinkled it with wow. There is also a Paradise Gin and Classic Vodka and a venue that screams happiness.
The first thing you notice when you enter the Paradise Rum distillery and bar is the colour. Pops of colour slap you in the face as you become immersed in a tropical paradise not dissimilar to an island bar.
Blue and white picnic tables outside blend seamlessly with the open, airy space which offers a sneak peek at the distillery machinery at the action end of the venue.
People gather with dogs, kids and friends in one of the friendliest vibes I’ve encountered in 2022.
Chris explains his vision: “Our food is fresh, simple and abundant, bursting with flavours that will transport you to the crystalline seas, salty breezes and sun-soaked shores of the Caribbean,” he says. “The venue, menu and spirits are made to be shared, for fun and to make memories with friends.”
This will have to be my new local and a place I take visitors to. It’s such a relaxed vibe – it’s feels like home.
It is everything we love about the Sunshine Coast.
A venue is only as good as its people and barman Simon Jones is proof of that – he brings to the bar that unpretentious and welcoming vibe that has you coming back for more.
There is more – in a move that further cements the sense of community this region is renowned for, Paradise Rum teamed up with Heads of Noosa to launch the first ever rum beer they named Caribbean Crush.
Do yourself a favour, don’t judge it until you try it – it’s a banger!
I’m all in for this stuff to be bottled and sold alongside my favourite fun Paradise Rum at the local bottle-o!
Welcome to Paradise, let the fun begin!
