LIFE

Rehoboth Ale House starts life over as a gastropub

Hannah Carroll
hcarroll2@dmg.gannett.com
Rehoboth Ale House recently unveiled new management and a number of changes.

After a brief hiatus and a major renovation project, the only thing left recognizable at one of Rehoboth Beach's favorite watering holes — Rehoboth Ale House — is its name.

New owners Kyle McLaughlin and Adam Newman felt it was just too good to pass up.

"Honestly, we couldn't have asked for a better one to inherit," said McLaughlin, who described the restaurant's new concept as a high-quality, yet casual gastropub.

Located at 15 Wilmington Avenue, Rehoboth Ale House opened in 2009, taking over for the former Ram’s Head, and has gone through a series of owners since. McLaughlin and Newman are confident though, that they'll be the ones to make things stick. Both have ties to the area and are familiar with the local food scene, having worked at hot spots like Summerhouse and Gary's Dewey Beach Grill.

"Going out on our own is a little scary, but it's something we've talked about for a while," he said. "We're feeling good about it, and we've already gotten great feedback from the community."

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Their updated bar now features 20 rotating draft taps, in addition to a new drink menu that offers several handcrafted cocktails made using fresh ingredients and homemade simple syrups.

Rehoboth Ale House also features an electronic draft system that regularly updates in real time, which guests can check out on the restaurant's Facebook page or website.

"It's a pretty cool feature, called Digital Pour," he said. "We're the only ones in Delaware who has it yet."

When it came to creating a new food menu, McLaughlin made sure to put an emphasis on options that would make Rehoboth Ale House more than just a sports bar, although the space will certainly still cater to game day fans, he said. He noted that the numerous televisions and access to all the NFL games have remained.

The new menu features items like fried green tomatoes, bison burgers, fish tacos, grilled chicken sandwiches, fresh salads, homemade soup and flatbreads, in addition to daily lunch and dinner specials.

"Everything here is phenomenal," he said. "Think typical bar food but better. It's everything you'd want to pair with a cold beer."

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In addition to the new menus, McLaughlin and Newman have changed almost everything inside but the entertainment lineup, which has kept the Rehoboth Ale House jumping for years. The space has ditched the Keno games and tiki bar vibe for a more sophisticated, upscale look, with new tables and chairs, light fixtures, decor and fresh paint.

The stage has remained, although it too received a facelift, including new lighting and equipment. Live entertainment is already booked for every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night throughout the season.

As for whether or not they made the right choice — purchasing and renovating the Rehoboth Beach landmark — McLaughlin says absolutely.

"There's no doubt in my mind that we made the right decision," he said. "This place had great bones. A good name, an awesome layout, it just needed some upgrades. We still have some more great things planned for Rehoboth Ale House and we're excited. It's going to an amazing summer."

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302-537-1881, ext. 209

Rehoboth Ale House

Where: 15 Wilmington Ave., Rehoboth Beach

When: 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily 

Call: 302- 278-7433

Visit: rehobothalehouse.com

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