Summer Days Are Meant for Port 251
Area restaurants are booming and there’s some amazing fun to be had this summer. On a Sunday morning I joined a group hanging out on the (pet friendly!) patio at Port 251, downtown Rehoboth’s latest entry into the drag brunch craze—crazy good, that is, perfect for day drinking and breakfast or lunch. Not to slight the entertainers, who were amazing.
We started with cocktails, from Bloodies, Mimosas and Aperol Spritzes at our table to a bottle of chilled-in-a-bucket champagne. From the menu I sampled the decadent and delicious Bananas Foster French Toast and an equally wonderful Eggs Benedict. The place was packed to bursting, but the food came out perfectly hot and all together for our big table.
Then came the show….emceed by Tamia Mykles—Miss Gay Wilmington 2021, who did their own excellent singing, no lipsync, and introduced the bevy of bewitching queens who performed so enthusiastically that folks passing by in the street had to stop and applaud. The costumes were over the top, as were the musical numbers and the whole experience was a joy. And it’s worth noting that as always, the crowd was a great example of Rehoboth’s motto “Room for All.” It was wonderful to see such delightful diversity.
It’s a fact that Port 251 wears its descriptor of Gay Bar with pride and offers a Thursday Ladies Night that rocks! Steph Dalee is at the bar, (don’t miss her watermelon cocktail) and you may even find Rehoboth ladies night legend Viki Dee performing. In fact, Viki plays some ladies nights and alternates Sunday evenings with keyboard guy John Flynn, who is also a musical legend around here (and Philly, and...). Now that I think about it, bartender Steph Dalee is a legend, too, having hosted ladies nights (and more) in town from the former Seafood Shack, to Diego’s, more than a few nights at the old Cloud 9, and now to Port 251.
I haven’t had a chance yet to stop by for dinner, but I love the whole idea of a European apéritif bar (memories of Florence), with plentiful small plates and tapas-like treats. We sampled one of their snappy appetizers on Ladies Night—crinkly fries with yummy toppings, and it went really well with Steph’s watermelon cocktail.
Wednesdays are Pasta Nights. And there’s a Monday Steak and Jazz Night (one of my favorite jazz pianists, Dave Zipse, is on the keys) where you can have a steak dinner date night, with an 8-ounce filet ($20) and a bottle of wine ($20.) That’s a $60 date night and it’s even on downtown’s Meterless Monday!!!!!
The operation is owned by realtors Joe Maggio and Tony Sacco, with Sacco’s husband, Billy Greene. They are welcoming hosts, dedicated to good food and good times.
Check out Port 251 (251 Rehoboth Avenue) at the corner of Lake and Rehoboth Avenues. It’s a happy addition to our (gayer than ever) downtown Rehoboth and proudly carrying the mantle of Room for All. ▼
Fay Jacobs is the author of five published books and is touring with her one-woman sit-down comedy show, Aging Gracelessly.