We think these 6 Delaware bars could have made USA TODAY's Bars of the Year 2024 list
We have no qualms with Deer Park Tavern being the lone Delaware bar named on USA TODAY's inaugural Bars of the Year list.
In fact, it's pretty cool that any Delaware barroom made the cut when it came to the list of 27 best bars in the country selected by USA TODAY Network's food writers nationwide.
But the historic Newark tavern, which has doubled as a boozy rite of passage for generations of University of Delaware students, is far from the only watering hole worthy of some national attention.
Bar of the Year: This Newark bar named one of the best in the US. Everything to know before you go
So we scanned our bar receipts and exhumed our alcohol-soaked memories of past bar nights out to come up with six other spots that could have landed on the list.
The Starboard
2009 Coastal Highway, Dewey Beach; (302) 227-4600; thestarboard.com
It's hard to find a Delaware bar with a bigger cult following than The Starboard. With its famed 16-ounce Orange Crushes that pack a punch, hodgepodge layout and rotating lineup of DJs and bands, there's a reason why it's the only beach bar with a VIP entry program. Some of The Starboard's regulars are so die-hard that they bypass all other barrooms during the summer and will give only their elbows workouts at this spot. It draws a wide range of customers: young and old, vacationers and residents, celebrities and normies like us. Co-owner Steve "Monty" Montgomery is always prowling the grounds, meeting customers and keeping an eye out for places for improvement. Their annual Running of the Bull event packs not only its barrooms, but also its parking lot for what is the goofiest bar event of the year.
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Nomad Bar
905 Orange St., Wilmington; (302) 655-8800; facebook.com/wilmingtonjazz
If you're visiting from out of town, walk into a random downtown Wilmington bar and ask your bartender for a recommendation for your next stop, you'll likely hear about The Nomad. Word-of-mouth fuels this family-owned jazz bar, which hosts cover charge-free musical performances from local and regional jazz, rock, ska, reggae, soul, blues acts and more. There's no sign out front in lights that says "The Nomad" – instead there's just a standard neon "Open" sign. Once inside, the narrow space with brick walls has the feel of a downstairs Greenwich Village, especially on Friday and Saturday nights when it can be shoulder-to-shoulder with a diverse crowd at this community center of sorts. There is no kitchen on-site, so customers are welcome to bring their own or order out and enjoy a snack or meal at the bar. Nomad is on its summer break and reopens in September.
Bottle & Cork
1807 Coastal Highway, Dewey Beach; 227-7272; bottleandcork.com
There's no feeling quite as electric as a packed Bottle & Cork crowd anticipating the kickoff of a concert, whether it's a national act or Saturday's traditional Jam Session, which features a rotating crop of cover bands from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Open only during the warm months, this historic indoor/outdoor venue just feels like summer to those who know its concrete floor well – usually littered with crushed beer cans. First opened in 1936, the Cork has been part of the fabric of Dewey Beach for nearly a century and remains a go-to beach experience, open to only those 21 and older.
Simmer Down
519 N. Market St., Wilmington; 446-5600; simmerdownbar.com
Simmer Down may not have made the USA TODAY list, but it did make a best bar list already this year. Opened only last year, the handsome basement cocktail lounge at the Quoin Hotel was crowned as a top drink-slingers by Esquire magazine in June, along with 40 other bars across the country. It first opened in early 2023 as a if-you-know-you-know speakeasy, but that was eventually abandoned and now anyone can make a quick left at the hotel lobby and head downstairs to take in the breathtaking barroom mixing its exposed barrel-vaulted brick ceiling with a marble bar, comfy couches and classy cocktails. It has recently expanded its hours from being only open 16 hours a week to now serving Tuesday through Thursday 6 to 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to midnight.
Wilmington bar distinguished: This Delaware bar, open only 16 hours a week, is one of Esquire's 'best bars in America'
Paradise Grill
27344 Bay Road, Long Neck; (302) 945-4500; paradisegrillde.com
If you want a big beach bar experience, but don't want to fight Coastal Highway traffic to get to Dewey or Rehoboth beaches, Paradise Grill is yours. Located on the Indian River Bay in Pot-Nets Bayside, palm trees and sand greet diners and partiers alike, along with live music on two stages (Beach Stage and Lagoon Stage) and its raw bar. With a bay view and tropical theme, if you have enough of their Key West rumrunners, you just might think you're in Key West as you look around with maybe-blurry vision. The Paradise brand is ever-growing with four sister spots including Paradise Pub and Seaside Grill in Long Neck, along with Paradise Landing and Seaside Fish House in Millsboro. By day, Paradise Grill is a Jimmy Buffett fan's dream of chill tunes, cold drinks and a tasty menu. By night, the volume turns up on the music and more of a nightclub vibe takes over the popular spot, which first opened in 2012.
Big Chill Beach Club
27099 Coastal Highway, near Bethany Beach; (302) 402-5300; bigchillbeachclub.com
What Delaware bar has the best view? There's really no competition for Big Chill Beach Club with a 360-degree view of the beach, Indian River Inlet and Charles W. Cullen Memorial Bridge at the Delaware Seashore State Park. Featuring an elevated circular main bar under a large yellow umbrella, you may be at a bar, but you feel like you're still on the sandy beach with an ocean breeze blowing and seagulls squawking. The La Vida Hospitality bar/restaurant offers a tropical-themed food menu dotted with shrimp, mahi, lobster, poke bowls, kabobs and more, along with a drink menu soaked in margaritas and summer cocktails including six trademark crushes. Big Chill also hosts ticketed concerts by national beach acts, movie nights in the sand and full moon parties.
Have a story idea? Contact Ryan Cormier of Delaware Online/The News Journal at [email protected] or (302) 324-2863. Follow him on Facebook (@ryancormier) and X (@ryancormier).
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: 6 Delaware bars worthy of USA TODAY's inaugural best bars list
