Nightlife

The Starboard is a legendary bar and restaurant that's been a Dewey institution for decades. It's famous for its build-your-own Bloody Mary bar (practically a buffet of hot sauces and garnishes - shrimp, bacon, you name it), and for serving breakfast and late-night drinks with equal enthusiasm. By day, you can get a great omelet or crabby bloody Mary here; by night, it transforms into party central with DJs and dancing. The vibe is "come one, come all" - you'll see bachelorette parties, old Dewey alumni telling stories, off-duty lifeguards, and everyone in between. Award-Winning: In 2025, USA Today picked The Starboard as one of the best bars in America. The signature cocktail is the Orange Crush (fresh-squeezed OJ, vodka, triple sec, Sprite) - they squeeze thousands of oranges a week and it's dangerously delicious. Traditions here include the "Running of the Bull" and "Breakfast with Elvis" on certain weekends. It's a must-visit, even if just to people-watch and soak up the scene.

Known affectionately as "The Cork," this is Dewey's legendary live music venue - a rock club that's been rockin' since 1936. The Cork has hosted some big names (Matchbox Twenty, Miranda Lambert, Vertical Horizon, and more), but it's just as beloved for its regional cover bands and weekly events. It's an open-air bar with a stage at one end - incredibly fun. Don't Miss: Summers every Saturday at 5pm, they host the famous "Saturday Afternoon Jam Session", one of Dewey's most popular weekly events. Picture this: it's late afternoon, you've washed off the beach, and a live band is cranking out tunes while sunburned folks dance with fresh drinks in hand. Many a Dewey veteran will tell you Jam Session is their favorite time of the week. The Cork also brings in national acts (often country, rock, and tribute bands) for nighttime concerts - so you might catch a big show in this intimate setting. Their tagline is "The greatest rock and roll bar in the world," and if you love live music, the Cork may be your perfect spot.

The Lighthouse is a bayfront restaurant and bar on Dickinson St. that has been part of Dewey for 40+ years. It was rebuilt and reopened in 2021 after a fire. The new Lighthouse has a big outdoor patio on the bay and often features acoustic music or DJ sets at happy hour. Historically, this was home to the original Taco Toss (where on Fridays, tacos were cheap and occasionally tossed around in fun). Now that Taco Toss moved up to Northbeach, the Lighthouse focuses on its restaurant side - great crushes and casual seafood with a view. However, it still gets going during peak summer weekends at night, especially when Decade 80 (an awesome 80s cover band) or other groups play on the deck. The Lighthouse is also a go-to for those who want a bit more chill than Northbeach but still want to be out on the bay. Many folks do a "Rudder-Lighthouse-Northbeach crawl" since they're all close together on the bay side. Don't overlook the Lighthouse for a sunset dinner; their menu has stepped up in recent years, and nothing beats sipping a crush as boats go by in the twilight.

A Hawaiian-themed bar and restaurant on the north end of town (near the Rudder/Hyatt). Nalu's decor is Tiki heaven - think palm thatch, big tiki statues, and surfboards on the wall. They serve up Pacific-inspired dishes (poke bowls, fish tacos) and are known for giant Tiki bowl cocktails meant for sharing. It's family-friendly by day (kids love the atmosphere) and a fun bar by night. Nalu often has live island music and occasional events like pig roast parties. It's also one of the larger restaurants, so Nalu is a great pick for a relaxed meal. Grab a Mai Tai, pretend you're in Waikiki, and enjoy the vibe.

Don't let the name fool you - there are no dress codes, tee times, or stiff collars here. Dewey Beach Country Club lives by the legendary motto "Where membership has no advantages," and that tells you everything you need to know. Located right on Coastal Highway, this is your unpretentious, no-frills sports bar where the drinks are reasonably priced and the vibe is always chill. If you're looking to catch the game without fighting for elbow room, this is a solid bet. They’ve got plenty of TVs and a staff that actually pays attention to the score. It’s also a gamer’s haven in the old-school sense. We're talking Golden Tee and video games that keep the competition friendly but fierce. It’s the kind of place where you stop in for a quick cold one and end up staying for three hours trying to beat your high score. One nice perk is the outdoor seating area. Since it's right on the highway, you get that classic Dewey people-watching experience with a nice ocean breeze rolling across the street. Even better? The outdoor space is dog-friendly. Bring your pup after a beach walk; the staff here loves dogs almost as much as they love pouring a cold pint. If you just want a relaxed drink with friends, the "Country Club" may be your perfect spot.

If you're cruising down Coastal Highway, you literally can't miss Jimmy's Grille. Located right in the thick of the action at 1911 Coastal Hwy, this isn't just a place to grab a bite - it's a legitimate nightlife destination that holds its own against the biggest venues in town. The Vibe: It's loud, lively, and unpretentious. The energy here centers around the outdoor patio, which is one of the best spots on the strip to people-watch and catch a breeze. When the bands start playing, the patio transforms into a high-energy hang where the line between the stage and the crowd blurs. It feels like a backyard party that spilled out onto the main drag. Because of its central location, Jimmy's is the perfect anchor for a night of bar-hopping. You're right on the highway, so you can hear the music before you even walk in. Whether you're starting your night here or closing it out, the live entertainment keeps the crowd moving. If you want live music in an open-air setting that feels like the pulse of the town, Jimmy's Grille is a great choice.

The Rudder is a bayfront restaurant and bar that's famous for two things: its legendary seafood buffets, and its massive bayfront deck with live music. Having a sunset dinner of crabs and shrimp on the Rudder's deck is a Dewey tradition for many families. And at night, especially in summer, the Rudder's outdoor stage features bands 7 days a week. It's not unusual for the Rudder deck to turn into a dance party under the stars. You'll see folks in flip-flops grabbing Painkiller cocktails at the Tiki bar, kids dancing with glow sticks, and maybe even some people arriving by boat (they have docks for patrons). If you're here mid-week, the Rudder often hosts beach music or reggae nights to keep the party going even on a Tuesday. If you like oysters and crushes with a view, the Rudder's outdoor raw bar (when open) is fantastic at happy hour. It's the kind of place you can start at for dinner and still be there 4 hours later grooving to a band, with the moon reflecting off the bay. Insider Tip: Sunday afternoons on the Rudder deck often feature popular local bands - it's a great way to end the weekend.

Located on the bay at McKinley St., Northbeach is part nightclub, part beach party. After being closed for a spell, it has been resurrected in style - and it now markets itself as a top live music and dance venue with events day and night. Northbeach has a little sandy beach area, and even a pool, so during the day Saturdays they run a "beach club" pool party (with DJs spinning chill summer house music). By night, Northbeach turns up with big cover bands and DJs - they pride themselves on offering live entertainment from open to close. Don't Miss: A longstanding Dewey tradition has shifted here: the famous Taco Toss happy hour that originated at the old Lighthouse has been reborn as Pizza Toss Fridays at Northbeach. Every Friday evening, Northbeach kicks off the weekend with free pizza and live music on Friday evenings - it's the kickoff party of the weekend. Picture dozens of people on a deck, grabbing free slices and beers, while a band gets people dancing as the sun sets. It's an iconic Dewey happy hour tradition worth checking out. Northbeach also does a "Sunday Funday" with brunch specials and daytime bands/DJs that roll right into the evening. If you want that true "dance in the sand" Dewey experience, Northbeach is the place to be. Plus, their deck has one of the best sunset views in Dewey.