Freddie’s remodels as Rehoboth’s only music video bar
Freddie’s Beach Bar is taking its entertainment to a level that’s never been seen in Rehoboth Beach.
The restaurant and gay bar is establishing itself as the city’s only music video bar. The walls of Freddie’s are lined with large, flat-screen TVs playing music videos of familiar favorites that are sure to take customers down memory lane. Freddie’s is also hosting themed nights throughout the week, with entertainment such as karaoke, drag shows and decade-specific soundtracks.
“We’re doing something that no one else is doing here in Rehoboth, especially in the City of Rehoboth,” said Ken Sharples, a new operating partner. “Everyone has their niche. This will be our niche.”
Freddie’s opened on South First Street in October 2021, taking over the space formerly occupied by The Pond for many years.
For the past 23 years, owner Freddie Lutz has operated Freddie’s Beach Bar in Arlington, Va. It’s what he calls the only straight-friendly gay bar in northern Virginia. This summer, along with a library of hundreds of show tunes, Lutz introduced a fresh menu and brought on several new managing partners to the Rehoboth location.
“I wanted to infuse a little energy, excitement, something new and different here,” Lutz said.
Freddie’s holds happy hour from 5 to 8 p.m., seven days a week, and local singer Viki Dee joins the crowd every Friday afternoon. Other recurring local performers include Magnolia Applebottom, Girls Band, Teenage Satellites and The Darkes Band.
“We’re building a big variety of entertainment for everybody,” Sharples said.
The entertainment begins before guests even step foot into Freddie’s. The walk into the bar is lined with pink carpet and a multitude of decorations to grab their attention, including a bubble machine, purple barrier ropes and an inflatable air dancer. The interior ceiling is lined with hundreds of Barbie dolls – a collection Lutz has assembled since a young age.
Freddie’s new installments come from the inside out. General Manager Samantha Mairano refashioned a summer menu that matched the beach bar title and Freddie’s unique atmosphere by crafting special items like frozen drinks, cauliflower pizza and Big Gay Nachos. Her restaurant experience in southern Delaware has been recognized by several Delaware publications.
“Good-quality products at a fair price,” Mairano said. “And it’s fun. It’s finger food. It’s bar food. They can sit there and nibble and watch the videos.”
As the summer season closes, Lutz plans to stream live football games and host more trivia events. Freddie’s will also be holding a white-themed party on the Saturday night of Labor Day weekend.
However, despite new events, a new menu and a new music video theme, Freddie’s purpose remains the same: to create a judgment-free zone for all to enjoy.
“At the end of the day, we’re trying to give everybody a fun, safe place,” Mairano said.
