North Beach to Close After 27 Years in Dewey Beach

North Beach, a longtime Dewey Beach waterfront bar and restaurant, will close after the 2026 season following 27 years at its Rehoboth Bay location. (Photo courtesy of North Beach.)

North Beach, a longtime Dewey Beach waterfront bar and restaurant, will close after the 2026 season, ending nearly three decades of operation at its Rehoboth Bay location.

The restaurant, located at 125 McKinley St., has been a fixture in Dewey Beach for 27 years, known for its bayfront sunsets, live music, DJs and signature Dewey Devil frozen cocktail. The business also gained a following for its annual “Forever Silent Song Cemetery,” a tradition where an overplayed song was retired at the end of each season.

Highway One Cos. owner Alex Pires confirmed the decision to close on Aug. 19, saying the company chose not to extend its lease for the property.

Highway One had the option to renew the lease for an additional three years but decided not to continue operating at the location.

The property is owned by the Dewey Beach Lions Club, which has already selected a new restaurant to take over the space. Lions Club President Jim Gandolfo said Bent Palm, a restaurant owned by Dewey Beach Country Club owner Greg Plummer, is expected to begin its lease in November.

Gandolfo also noted that renderings of Bent Palm circulating on social media are preliminary concepts and have not yet been approved by all necessary agencies.

The closure marks the end of an era for a restaurant that has been part of Dewey Beach’s nightlife scene for more than 25 years. Longtime visitors have associated the location with waterfront gatherings, entertainment and seasonal traditions.

The change comes as Dewey Beach continues to see shifts in its restaurant and entertainment landscape, with new businesses joining the town’s lineup.

North Beach will remain open through the end of the current season before transitioning to the new restaurant planned for the site.

Sara Uzer

Sara Uzer is a journalist from Sussex County with more than 15 years of experience as a writer, editor, and community advocate.  She started her career in Washington, DC and has lived in Sussex County for the past five years.