Is rehoboth beach gay

From ravishing sites of nature to creative fields of expressiveness, Gay Rehoboth Beach has much to offer including noteworthy gay bars, gay beaches and popular gay areas that LGBT folks gather at daily. 

Famed as the Nation’s Summer Capital, with Washington DC lawmakers and their staff members coming here for weekend and summer getaways, Rehoboth Beach is an extremely gay-friendly town – despite being founded in the 1870s as a Methodist Meeting Camp…

Rumour has it that the DuPont property along the Atlantic ocean was where Rehoboth’s queer nightlife seeded back in the 1940s (thanks to an artist group of women painters famous both for their canvases and their close camaraderie…), though things really took off in the 70s – though gays and lesbians being much more visible in town in the early 1990s lead to some push-back from locals at the time.

Expect fresh oysters, freshly roasted coffee, homemade pastries, and other sensory delights. And don’t expect any ketchup, because apple cider vinegar and salt are the only appropriate condiments to capitalize on the crunchy deliciousness that is Thrasher’s Fries.

Rehoboth Beach Gay Bars and Clubs

Purple Parrot Grill Beach Haus & Biergarten – At Rehoboth’s only gay biergarten, tropical murals and festoon lights transform the patio into a gay oasis.

Rehoboth Beach Farmers Market is in downtown Rehoboth which happens to be near the town’s well-known museum.

“We had to play by every single rule – and sometimes those rules changed,” Felton recalled.

QUEER BEFORE THE MOON

The 1980s might have been Rehoboth’s coming out party, but queerness had long been part of the town’s DNA.

In the 1920s and ’30s, DuPont heiress Louisa D’Andelot Carpenter hosted well-known artists and celebrities at her family’s beach compound.

There are, of course, tasty alcoholic drinks that are sure to help your daily worries disappear as you unwind and dine with friends. 

Blue Moon 

Open seven days a week, Blue Moon is eager to serve new customers. Take a bite of a shrimp po-boy sub or add some salmon to one of your salads during one of their daily happy hours.

In July 1991, one man was arrested for removing his swimsuit underwater. This three-story property features 36 thoughtfully designed rooms and suites with coastal-inspired décor, plush bedding, balconies or patios, spa-style bathrooms, and complimentary Wi-Fi. If you love ocean life, waking up every morning to the shining sun and the sound of ocean waves, this may be the perfect hotel for you.

Boardwalk Plaza Hotel has many amenities that make your stay a pampered endeavor that you’ll never forget.

“Our goal,” wrote editor Jim Bahr, “was not to imitate Provincetown, but to promote Rehoboth Beach as a resort welcoming all people – all kinds of families.”

RISE AND FALL (AND RISE AGAIN)

As the ’90s began, Pisapia, Felton, and Lawson opened The Strand – a hybrid cabaret, diner, and state-of-the-art nightclub.

Book tour →

Historic Lewes – Just a quick 15-minute drive north, Delaware’s “First Town” charms you with brick-paved streets, pastel clapboard houses, and a picturesque harbor. And don’t miss the house-made focaccia sandwiches layered with prosciutto, roasted peppers, and gooey mozzarella.

The Cultured Pearl – Perched above Rehoboth Avenue in a rooftop koi-pond setting, this sushi bar turns dinner into theatre.

Rehoboth Beach Bear Weekend – Each September, beards and bubbly unite for five days of contests, pool parties, and shore-side socials. Like many hotels in Rehoboth Beach, the view of the ocean can be seen from all areas, which simulates the experience of actually being there. Many seafood items are available on the menu, which is a recurring theme while visiting Rehoboth Beach.

Although Boardwalk Plaza Hotel may seem simple, it is indeed simple and sweet.

There are two bars and lounges as well as one coffee shop, which gives many options for whichever vibe you are craving. Hosted by Rehoboth Beach Bears, there’s brunch meet-ups, beer crawls, and sunset cruises. Info at sussexpride.org/rehobothbeach. 

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT

James T.

Sears, PhD has authored several books on queer history, including his best seller, “Queering Rehoboth Beach: Beyond the Boardwalk.” The book can be purchased at Browseabout Books in Rehoboth Beach or on Amazon. Included on your ride to the beach are complimentary towels and chairs to complete your experience at the beach.

Boardwalk Plaza Hotel ★★★★

The simplistic look of this hotel is deceiving until you book a room to see for yourself.