10 Best Rehoboth Beach Nightlife

Rehoboth Beach Bandstand has long provided the soundtrack to summer evenings in the scenic coastal city, with free concerts ranging from jazz and rock to country and classical. The outdoor location at the eastern end of Rehoboth Avenue attracts a mixed-age crowd of music lovers to popular events that typically run from mid-June to early September.

The iconic oceanfront venue opened in the 1960s and has hosted many memorable performances from a predominantly local selection of performers. There is some seating available, but it fills up quickly, with locals and visitors gathering in droves to dance the night away.  Most events take place on weekend evenings, but it’s best to check local listings in advance for details.

Add a dash of culture to your Rehoboth Beach nightlife experience by visiting the acclaimed Clear Space Theatre Company. The centrally located venue hosts a year-round program of events ranging from classics like The Mousetrap and fan favorites like The Rocky Horror Show to adaptations of popular kids’ books and movies.

Shows sell out quickly, so it’s wise to book well in advance if you want to catch a performance at the 200-seat venue, which showcases emerging local talent as well as established regional actors and directors. Be sure to check the Clear Space Theatre website, which has comprehensive information on shows, performance times, and ticket availability.

Hop aboard one of Delmarva Discovery Tours’ comfortable vans for the ultimate introduction to the famed wine and beer scene in Rehoboth Beach. The in-demand private tour company whisks lively groups of locals and visitors to craft breweries, wineries, and nightlife venues, and tours can be tailor-made according to tastes and interests.

Delmarva Discovery Tours runs daytime excursions to wineries, breweries, and beaches, as well as providing a door-to-door shuttle between multiple nightlife venues, ensuring safe and stress-free adventures through the Rehoboth Beach nightlife scene. The tours are in huge demand for bachelorette parties as well as other major celebrations. Prices vary according to group size and type of tour.

A legendary Baltimore Avenue venue, The Blue Moon has been serving up fine food and fun times since 1981. Meals here are all about delicious seafood served with panache, but the place really comes to life after dinner, with some of the most entertaining drag shows in town.

The Victorian-era venue hosts lip-syncing divas, comedy queens, and celebrity impersonators, as well as cabaret nights, quizzes, and a hugely popular Bingo Brunch at weekends. Events at this LGBTQ+ friendly venue sell out quickly, so book ahead, grab a Margarita or signature Key Lime Pie cocktail, and get ready for a raucously good time.

Diego's Bar and Nightclub is a summer hotspot in Rehoboth Beach's gay nightlife scene. The sandy-footed clientele arrives for post-beach drinks at the outdoor patio and often stays until the small hours. DJs spin a mix of current pop hits, hip-hop classics, and energetic EDM at a venue with one of the largest dance floors and most modern sound systems in town.

The venue attracts a mixed-age crowd of regulars and party-loving visitors who love the themed events, like bingo nights and drag shows, and the famous food truck that serves snacks like hot dogs and tater tots. You’ll want to dress code casual but neat if you’re joining this bar’s high-energy crowd.

Lively entertainment venue The Starboard is located a short distance from Rehoboth in nearby Dewey Beach. With live comedy, popular local bands, and renowned musical tribute acts, the venue has been a cornerstone of the local nightlife scene for over 60 years.

Weekends are busy throughout the year, but the fun really ramps up during the summer months, when DJ nights, themed parties, and outdoor music shows draw enthusiastic crowds every night of the week. The drinks list is another major selling point, with the signature Orange Crush a longstanding favorite on The Starboard’s lengthy cocktail list. And while The Starboard is at its liveliest after dark, the large outdoor deck is an inviting spot for an early evening drink.

Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats attracts food and drinks lovers with its top-notch pizzas and excellent craft ales. It’s also a hip nightlife venue with diverse events, including the annual Analog-A-Go-Go festival, which blends beer, vintage vinyl, live music, and an artsy market.

The Dogfish is ideal for socializing and enjoying live bands and trivia nights. Beer release parties, “Tequila Day” celebrations, and other themed events add to the excitement, making it a prime destination for food enthusiasts and partiers alike. The location on Rehoboth Avenue puts this much-loved venue right at the heart of the action, and a quick post-beach pizza and beer can easily turn into a long night of live music and dancing.

In a city known for its excellent craft beer scene, Rehoboth Ale House stands out as one of the best options for quality ales and engaging entertainment. The famed venue impresses with its craft beers and karaoke nights, which attract an enthusiastic crowd of beer lovers and music fans.

Live music is a major draw, with emerging and established musicians flocking to Rehoboth Ale House to showcase blues, rock, and folk. The downtown venue and the and the Coastal Highway venue both encourage customers to embrace their inner beer nerd, and popular mid-week trivia nights and visiting brewery tap takeovers add to the venues’ geek-chic appeal.

Big Chill Surf Cantina is the ideal place to soak up the laid-back vibes of Rehoboth Beach. The coastal city has been nicknamed “the nation’s summer capital” thanks to the annual seasonal influx from nearby Washington DC, and this is one spot where visitors can really dial up the chill factor.

Tasty tacos, potent margaritas, and craft beers fuel relaxed afternoons and long, lazy nights, and the colorfully tiled outdoor patio often hosts live music from local acts. Surf movie nights and luau-themed parties add to the beachy vibes, and the cozy, colorful interior is an enticing place to hunker down over drinks and spicy Mexican small plates once temperatures start to dip.