McCoy’s Rum Room: The History of America’s Most Wanted Rum Runner

When you step inside McCoy’s Rum Room, the spirit of America’s Prohibition era comes alive with island vibes, oceanfront views, and a touch of rebel history. Guests can expect hand-crafted cocktails and gourmet-inspired favorites, but it is the backstory of the namesake, Bill McCoy, that turns this Daytona Beach bar from a scenic stop into a legend.

Make it a proper escape. Book our Park, Eat & Play package for complimentary parking and breakfast, then toast the evening in our lobby bar before ocean breezes carry you back to the room.

Prohibition Fosters a Legend

Known as “The Real McCoy,” William “Bill” McCoy was one of the most famous rum runners of the Prohibition era and a proud Daytona Beach native. He is often credited with helping establish Rum Row, the offshore lifeline of liquor-laden ships that supplied America when bars, breweries, and distilleries were shuttered. His legacy inspires the experience at Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort and its iconic oceanfront bar.

After the Volstead Act of 1919 restricted beverages over 0.5 percent alcohol, McCoy saw opportunity. In 1920 he loaded a schooner with Caribbean spirits, sailed north to New York, and anchored just beyond U.S. jurisdiction to sell legally offshore. The idea was simple and bold, and it changed the coast.

The Birth of Rum Row

McCoy’s method inspired fleets. Ships from the Bahamas, Bermuda, Cuba, Jamaica, and Europe carried whiskey, rum, and gin toward major American ports. They formed a chain of anchored suppliers known as Rum Row. McCoy would load more than 1,500 cases at a time, then meet fast contact boats that could outrun the Coast Guard and deliver to eager customers ashore. With demand high and enforcement stretched thin, rum running became one of the era’s most profitable trades.

New Vessel, New Profits

To expand, McCoy purchased the Arethusa, a cargo vessel capable of carrying over 5,000 cases. He registered it under a British flag to avoid seizure outside U.S. waters and renamed it Tomoka, after the river that runs through his hometown of Holly Hill, just north of Daytona Beach. Operating beyond the three-mile limit kept him in business and built his legend.

The Real McCoy Namesake

While some rum runners cut their liquor with turpentine, wood alcohol, or other fillers, McCoy refused. His shipments stayed pure, earning the nickname “The Real McCoy.” Adulterated knockoffs were dismissed as booze, hooch, or rotgut, while McCoy’s cargo became the trusted standard.

A Legendary Outcome

Success drew attention. Enforcement tightened and territorial waters expanded from three miles to twelve. Runs grew riskier, yet McCoy’s reputation for quality endured. His story came to symbolize authenticity and a stubborn commitment to doing things the right way, even in a gray market. Prohibition ended in 1933, but the legend remained.

Steeped in Spirit: McCoy’s Rum Room

Today, McCoy’s legacy lives inside McCoy’s Rum Room at Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort. The bar channels his pioneering energy through coastal ambiance and one of Florida’s best-curated rum menus. Sip a Real McCoy Mojito or a Prohibition Punch while you watch the Atlantic, and raise a glass to the captain who set a higher standard.

Plan your visit with our Park, Eat & Play package. Complimentary parking, daily breakfast, and an easy stroll from our lobby bar to the shoreline.