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The Bar Exam

Our resident party boy tested a few great places to get your drink on.
These earn the As.

(page 9 of 14)

Rehoboth Beach

Dare to choose from one of 40 martinis at Abstractions Sushi Bar (203 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 226-0877), from the signature Haiku (with sake, Bacardi, pineapple juice and Sprite) to the downright wacky Eight Deadly Sins, which is loaded with P.I.N.K vodka, crème de cocoa, white and dark Godiva liqueur, Kahlua, Bailey’s and Frangelico. The decor is contemporary and traditionally Japanese at once.

Arenas Deli and Bar (149 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-1272) is a local favorite all year round for music from such favorites as the Jay Hoad Band and Lower Case Blues, for the constant sports streaming through the TVs, for the giant selection of brews, and for the great sandwiches.

Gentlemen, the South Beach vibe of the Blue Moon (35 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-6515) is still the place to party on Baltimore Avenue. It’s no wonder the deck is filled to capacity. The place features the best drag shows in the area.

Even more taps are on the way at Dogfish Head Brewings and Eats (320 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 226-2739), which means more brewpub-exclusive beers like Beewolf Braggot and Surrender Monkey served at its yards-long bar. Best of all, we don’t have to share these crazy concoctions with the rest of the world—yet.

Intimate Espuma (28 Wilmington Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-4199), as usual, is on top of high-end dining trends, as evidenced by its Green Tea-ni, which contains super-trendy green tea liqueur. The mojitos are filled with 10 Cane rum and homegrown mint.

Those who seek the fine dining touch head to Nage (4037 Highway One, No. 2, Rehoboth Beach, 226-2037) for happy hours featuring $3 martinis of house-made cucumber-infused vodka and other culinary extravagances. The bar food menu, loaded with items like crab cakes and brie salad, is just as good.

Eight constantly rotating taps loaded with tough-to-find microbrews and imports make Fins Fish House (243 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 226-3467) a Mecca for kegheads. Co-owner Chris Bisaha keeps stouts, wheats, Germans and Belgians in constant flux, depending on the season and customers’ requests. Regional brewers such as Straub and Victory always make the cut. The traditional pub feeling is properly British and comfortable.

Though the flagship Irish Eyes Pub and Restaurant (105 Union St., Milton, 684-8889; 52 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-5758) in Lewes has had a run of bad luck, the two other sister pubs are going strong, with new renovations, popular happy hours and great beer selections.

Stoney Lonen (208 Second St., Rehoboth Beach, 227-2664) carries the triad of UK brews—Smithwick’s, Guinness and Harp—which it offers for $3 a pint on Fridays. Better yet, sneak one into your food. Smithwick’s is used to make the shepherd’s pie, and the salmon and short ribs are glazed in Guinness.

Summer House Restaurant (228 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-3895), once famous for its Long Island iced tea night, packs in customers during happy hour, a favorite among local professional-types. Inexpensive domestic bottles ($2.50) and appetizers ($2.95) are the draw at the main bar.

Page 10: Dewey Beach