We think these 6 Delaware bars could have made USA TODAY's Bars of the Year 2025 list

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4 days ago

We have no qualms with The Starboard being the lone Delaware bar named on USA TODAY's 2025 Bars of the Year list.
In fact, it's pretty cool that any Delaware barroom made the cut when it came to the national list, just like when the Deer Park Tavern was included last year.
But just like that historic Newark tavern, the Dewey Beach party bar is far from the only watering hole worthy of some national attention.
Best Bars in America: How USA TODAY picked the 2025 finalists
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.
northbeach
125 McKinley Ave., Dewey Beach; [phone]; northbeachdewey.com
Yes, northbeach is home to the coveted summer drink known as the Dewey Devil: a frozen pink drink made with light rum, 151-proof rum, blackberry brandy, orange juice, strawberries and cream. A perfect way to cool down under the sun. But the bar is more than super-tasty alcoholic brain freeze. Located right on Rehoboth Bay, the outdoor areas feel like the beach with sand on the ground and inside there's a beach club vibe with bands and DJs keeping the energy level high. The party spot has juiced its events calendar this year with a string of Bravo reality TV DJs coming in for special shows, including James Kennedy ("Vanderpump Rules," Kyle Cook ("Summer House") and Maddi Reese ("Southern Hospitality"). Be sure to try their Friday summertime happy hours when free pizza is served as part of their weekly "Pizza Toss" party.
See last year's list: The best bars in America in 2024: See USA TODAY's 27 favorite spots
Nomad Bar
905 Orange St., Wilmington; [phone]; 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 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 food or order out and enjoy a snack or meal at the bar. It may have new owners, but they are keeping the impeccable vibes alive.
Bottle & Cork
1807 Coastal Highway, Dewey Beach; [phone]; 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; [phone]; simmerdownbar.com
Simmer Down may not have made the USA TODAY list, but it has made a best bar list. Opened in 2023, the handsome basement cocktail lounge at the Quoin Hotel was crowned as a top drink-slingers by Esquire magazine last year, along with 40 other bars across the country. It first opened as a if-you-know-you-know speakeasy, but that eventually was 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 Wednesday and 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; [phone]; 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; [phone]; 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.
Delaware Bar of the Year: Dewey Beach party bar named one of best in U.S. Their signature drink is a must-have.
More Bars of the Year: The 29 best bars in America in 2025: See USA TODAY's top picks
Have a story idea? Contact Ryan Cormier of Delaware Online/The News Journal at [e-mail] or [phone]. Follow him on Facebook (@ryancormier) and X (@ryancormier).
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: 6 Delaware bars worthy of USA TODAY's 2025 best bars list
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