Freddie’s: Barbies & Boas, Flamingos & Fun
After 20 successful years at their Arlington, Virginia location, in October 2021 owner Freddie Lutz realized his dream of opening a second Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant location in Rehoboth Beach. And are we glad he did! This LGBTQ+, straight-friendly restaurant and bar is such a vibrant and fun addition to the local scene.
Those who approach the 3 First Street location will be greeted by an explosion of pink, purple, and turquoise. The minute you walk through the front door, you know it is going to be fun! Inside the walls are lined with Barbies, kitsch, and a collection of festive painted furniture pieces artfully arranged by Freddie himself. We were pleased to see that a stack of Letters from CAMP Rehoboth and a container of safe-sex kits were prominently displayed. Thanks, Freddie!
Freddie’s is gearing up for the 2023 season with a new menu and a friendly crew in place. Upon entering we were welcomed by Fluffy, bartender extraordinaire, and now also general manager. Other members of the team include bartender Rudy, server Abby, and new chef Oscar.
They have just introduced their new summer menu. The cocktail menu contains a dozen or more specialty drinks, masterfully crafted by Rudy. We selected two classics—a cucumber martini and an orange cosmo (which also comes in raspberry, watermelon, and blueberry flavors). Both were icy cold, crisp, and refreshing. Non-alcoholic selections are also available—Coke Zero is popular and there are a variety of flavored seltzers and iced tea.
As we perused the menu, we enjoyed appetizers of loaded potato skins, their special app for the evening (delicious!), and their unique onion petals, a variation on onion rings, with ranch and honey mustard dipping sauces. Additional appetizers include Freddie’s famous wings with choice of sauce, peel-and-eat shrimp, and several others. A very generous portion of Nacho Daddy Nachos can serve as a meal for a very reasonable price. Indeed, we found all of Freddie’s prices to be reasonable.
The “handhelds” portion of the menu includes a chicken bacon ranch sandwich (tempting but we couldn’t eat everything!), an Angus beef burger, and a crab cake sandwich—all on toasted brioche buns. Next were two types of flatbreads. We tried the margherita flatbread, which had a crisp crust and was quite tasty. New mains are now on the menu, such as fish and chips and healthy options like a rainbow salmon noodle bowl. We tried the Chicken Asti, a grilled chicken breast with a creamy mushroom sauce. The chicken was quite tasty, and the mushroom sauce was flavorful.
Fluffy checked in with us periodically (and Abby, too!), and when we said, “now about dessert…,” she replied, “It’s already being prepared.” Shortly thereafter, chef Oscar presented a “boozy whoopy pie” with a Bailey’s Irish Cream filling and accompanied by chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and strawberries. Yum!
More than just a seasonal dining option for residents and visitors, Freddie’s is a year-round, fun-filled entertainment venue, with karaoke on Thursday evenings, drag shows on Fridays, and a drag brunch (including bloody marys and mimosas) on Sundays.
And…(drum roll please) the one and only Pamala Stanley brings down the house at Freddie’s with The Pamala Stanley Experience! on selected Sundays, with the prospect of more frequent performances this summer.
Do you wanna dance? Join DJ Sandra C. as she spins the tunes at Freddie’s Dance Party every Saturday evening starting at 9:00 p.m.
And finally, you can enjoy happy hour every day beginning at 4:00 p.m. with great drink prices and appetizer specials.
Colorful! Flamboyant! Vibrant! Freddie’s is a fun, welcoming place to hang out for delicious drinks, tasty fare, and fabulous entertainment. Thanks to the fun time we had and our most gracious host Fluffy and her friendly and attentive team, we will be returning to Freddie’s. We hope to see you there!
Update: We returned to Freddie’s three days later to see The Pamala Stanley Experience! It is a fabulous show—not to be missed! ▼
Leslie Sinclair and her wife Debbie Woods are longtime fans of the Rehoboth Beach dining and entertainment scene and have been full-time residents since 2009.