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    El Arsenal The Rum Box, Restaurant in Cartagena
    Restaurant200Points

    El Arsenal The Rum Box

    Getsemani, Cartagena

    Restaurant in Cartagena, Colombia

    The Read

    Dress

    Casual

    Why go

    El Arsenal The Rum Box is worth considering for a flexible midday or early-evening stop in Cartagena de Indias, especially if the plan is drinks-led rather than breakfast-focused. It is an easier, lower-ceremony choice than a destination dinner; choose El Patio del Limonar for breakfast buffet needs or El Boliche Ceviche for a seafood-specific meal.

    About El Arsenal The Rum Box

    For an explorer in Cartagena de Indias who wants a casual stop during posted opening hours, El Arsenal The Rum Box is a direct pick. It works best as a casual venue in Cartagena de Indias rather than as a place to plan around a specific cuisine, menu format, service style, or signature order.

    Book it when the plan is flexible and the group wants something easygoing. The confirmed basics are simple: casual dress, Cartagena de Indias, and service Tuesday through Saturday from 12–10 PM, with Monday and Sunday closed.

    A better fit for posted midday-to-evening hours than a destination breakfast

    The schedule matters here because this is not a morning choice. Service starts at 12 PM on open days, so plan around midday, afternoon, or evening rather than breakfast. If the priority is comparing other venues for the same trip, Crepes & Waffles Centro is one option to review. El Patio del Limonar is another Cartagena de Indias option to consider when comparing plans.

    The venue should be judged by occasion fit, not ceremony. Travelers looking for an easy casual stop in Cartagena de Indias may find it useful, while diners seeking a highly documented restaurant experience should compare other options. El Boliche Ceviche and Pizzeria Della Chiesa are also useful comparison points when narrowing a Cartagena de Indias shortlist.

    Use it as a Cartagena de Indias stop, not the whole plan

    Practical case is simple: El Arsenal The Rum Box has casual dress and posted hours from 12–10 PM Tuesday through Saturday. That makes it more useful for travelers building a flexible itinerary than for diners seeking a venue with extensively documented menu, price, award, or format details. Pair it with a broader look at our full Cartagena de Indias restaurants guide.

    If the trip needs a broader evening shortlist, compare El Arsenal The Rum Box with Café Rialto, El Boliche Ceviche, El Patio del Limonar, Crepes & Waffles Centro, or Pizzeria Della Chiesa. For broader trip planning, keep our full Cartagena de Indias hotels guide close, and compare other Cartagena de Indias dining rooms generically when the occasion calls for a different fit.

    The takeThis is a destination for rum enthusiasts and small groups exploring Cartagena’s after-dark drinking corridor. The Rum Tasting Experience is the signature draw, and the kitchen supports boozy nights with hearty plates such as BBQ Pork Chops and Calypso Meatballs. It suits date nights and group outings when you want a focused, locally grounded drinking program that reflects the Caribbean’s spirit traditions; plan for an evening stop as the neighborhood comes alive after dark.
    Venue detailsLocal Sourcing
    Know before you goBefore you book
    Also considerAlternatives
    Restaurant contextCartagena, Colombia

    Planning details

    Location
    El Arsenal: The Rum Box 24, Calle Arsenal #8b-19, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia
    Reservations
    Book on OpenTable
    Website
    opentable.com/restaurant/profile/1375045
    Phone
    +573008110700
    Explore CartagenaNearby
    Around this placeMore Pearl picks
    The take

    The Take

    The Vibe

    El Arsenal The Rum Box sits tucked into Cartagena’s colonial quarter and leans into the city’s layered maritime history. Narrow streets and close-pressing colonial façades give the bar an intimate, old-world feel; in the early evening the air carries salt from the nearby bay, charcoal from kitchen vents and the sweetness of cane spirit. The program centers on curated rum pours and the sensory weight of place, resulting in a charming, historically rooted spot that favors lingering conversations and late-night discovery rather than flashy cocktail theatrics.

    Best For

    This is a destination for rum enthusiasts and small groups exploring Cartagena’s after-dark drinking corridor. The Rum Tasting Experience is the signature draw, and the kitchen supports boozy nights with hearty plates such as BBQ Pork Chops and Calypso Meatballs. It suits date nights and group outings when you want a focused, locally grounded drinking program that reflects the Caribbean’s spirit traditions; plan for an evening stop as the neighborhood comes alive after dark.

    Ordering Tips

    Start with the Rum Tasting Experience to sample the bar’s curated selection of regional rums and get a sense of the house approach to curation. Complement the pours with a savory plate — the BBQ Pork Chops or Calypso Meatballs are called out on the menu and read as hearty matches for aged and spiced rums. If you’re with friends, share tastings and food plates to compare expressions and soak up the colonial-quarter atmosphere as the night progresses.

    Venue details

    Ambiance

    Inviting and engaging atmosphere with cool, trendy local vibe perfect for cocktails and dining.

    Tags

    Vibe

    TrendyLivelyCozy

    Best For

    Date NightCasual HangoutSpecial Occasion

    Experience

    Open Kitchen

    Sourcing

    Local Sourcing

    At the Table

    Dress Code
    Casual
    Noise Level
    Lively
    Service Style
    Upscale Casual
    Meal Pacing
    Leisurely
    Capacity
    Medium

    Signature Dishes

    • Rum Tasting Experience
    • BBQ Pork Chops
    • Calypso Meatballs
    Know before you go

    Know Before You Go

    Getting there
    El Arsenal: The Rum Box 24, Calle Arsenal #8b-19, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia
    Planning details

    Location

    El Arsenal: The Rum Box 24, Calle Arsenal #8b-19, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia · Directions

    +573008110700

    opentable.com/restaurant/profile/1375045

    Book on OpenTable

    Also consider

    Also Consider

    • Café Rialto, Notable alternative
    • El Boliche Ceviche, Notable alternative
    • El Patio del Limonar, Breakfast buffet (local, regional and international), Breakfast buffet (local, regional and international)
    • Pizzeria Della Chiesa, Neapolitan-style pizza, Neapolitan-style pizza
    • Crepes & Waffles Centro, Notable alternative
    Restaurant context

    How it compares in Cartagena de Indias

    El Arsenal The Rum Box is the easier, more flexible pick when the plan is a casual Cartagena stop rather than a fixed-format meal. Café Rialto is the better cross-shop if the group wants a more restaurant-led decision, while El Arsenal works better for travelers who care more about location convenience and a drinks-leaning occasion.

    For a specific food brief, the peers are clearer. El Boliche Ceviche is the sharper choice for ceviche and seafood intent. Pizzeria Della Chiesa is the obvious call for Neapolitan-style pizza, especially with groups that need an easy crowd-pleaser. El Patio del Limonar is the better fit for breakfast because its format is explicitly buffet-based, while El Arsenal starts later in the day.

    If booking ease is the priority, El Arsenal and Crepes & Waffles Centro are the safer lanes than a more occasion-driven meal. Choose El Arsenal for a more Cartagena-specific drinks stop; choose Crepes & Waffles Centro when familiarity, broad appeal, and a low-friction group meal matter more.

    Explore Cartagena
    Around this place
    Read more on Pearl

    Discover more on Pearl

    Unlock the full El Arsenal The Rum Box guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.

    Compare El Arsenal The Rum Box
    El Arsenal The Rum Box Cartagena de Indias and similar venues
    VenueLocationCuisineAwards
    El Arsenal The Rum BoxCartagena de Indias, No published awards
    Café RialtoCartagena de Indias, No published awards
    El Boliche CevicheCartagena, No published awards
    El Patio del LimonarCartagenaBreakfast buffet (local, regional and international)No published awards
    Pizzeria Della ChiesaCartagenaNeapolitan-style pizzaNo published awards
    Crepes & Waffles CentroCartagena, No published awards

    How El Arsenal The Rum Box Cartagena de Indias compares with similar nearby venues.

    FAQ

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is afternoon or evening better at El Arsenal The Rum Box?

    Either can work within the posted schedule. El Arsenal The Rum Box is open 12–10 PM Tuesday through Saturday and closed Monday and Sunday, so plan for a midday, afternoon, or evening visit rather than a morning one.

    Is El Arsenal The Rum Box good for a special occasion?

    It may suit a casual celebration, but it is best approached as a casual venue rather than a formal or polished milestone spot. The confirmed dress code is casual, and the hours are 12–10 PM Tuesday through Saturday. For another Cartagena de Indias comparison, consider Café Rialto.

    What should I order at El Arsenal The Rum Box?

    Specific dishes, drinks, prices, and menu format are not provided here. Check the current menu directly with El Arsenal The Rum Box before planning around a particular order.

    Can El Arsenal The Rum Box accommodate groups?

    Seat count, private dining details, and group policy are not provided here. If you are planning for a group, confirm availability directly with the venue and use the posted Tuesday-to-Saturday, 12–10 PM schedule as the planning baseline.

    Can I eat at the bar at El Arsenal The Rum Box?

    Bar seating is not listed here, so do not plan around it without checking directly with the venue. El Arsenal The Rum Box is in Cartagena de Indias, has a casual dress code, and is open 12–10 PM Tuesday through Saturday.

    What are alternatives to El Arsenal The Rum Box in Cartagena de Indias?

    Consider Café Rialto, El Boliche Ceviche, El Patio del Limonar, Crepes & Waffles Centro, or Pizzeria Della Chiesa when comparing Cartagena de Indias plans. El Arsenal The Rum Box is best evaluated on its confirmed basics: casual dress and Tuesday-to-Saturday, 12–10 PM hours.

    Is El Arsenal The Rum Box good for solo dining?

    It may work for a solo visit if the casual setting and posted hours fit your plan. The schedule is Tuesday through Saturday from 12–10 PM, with Monday and Sunday closed. For another Cartagena de Indias comparison, Café Rialto is worth considering.