With a nod to high-quality food and drinks, Sussex Public House, an American gastropub, has opened in Rehoboth Beach.

Sussex Public House opened May 19 on Rehoboth Avenue. Less than 24 hours later, General Manager Cole Haggerty and Executive Chef Shaun Fleck were sitting in the newly renovated dining room, pleased with how opening night went.

“No food came back, and people were happy with the drinks. It was a really good first night,” said Haggerty.

Fleck said they wanted to open on a Wednesday so kinks could be worked out on a slower night, not a weekend night. He agreed that things went well.

Like many other commercial buildings in Rehoboth Beach, the Sussex Public House building has been home to a number of restaurants over the years. Haggerty said everything, from front to back, except the slate floor and DJ booth, has been redone.

As part of the major renovation, a draft beer system and a walk-in cooler to keep beer cold were installed behind the bar. The system features 21 regional craft beers on tap, he said, adding there’s also a good selection of scotch.

“We care as much about what goes in our drinks as we do on our plates,” he said. “I think we have one of the best selections at the beach.”

Fleck said the restaurant business is all about hospitality. 

“We want our customers to feel like guests in our home,” he said.

Fleck said everything the restaurant makes will be done from scratch.

“Everything on the menu comes in raw and is turned into what a customer sees on their plate,” said Fleck.

He said the menu will feature mainstays, but he’s also going to call on years of kitchen experience around the country to change things up, too.

“This is going to be a no-borders kitchen. We’re going to be able to do what we want, and go where the food takes us,” said Fleck.

Food and drink will be high quality, and both men said they want Sussex Public House to be a comfortable place for everyone.

“The last few restaurants in this space haven’t been as casual,” said Fleck. “We want people to feel like they can come in off the beach without having to change.”

Haggerty said there will be live music and entertainment throughout the summer. 

Sussex Public House, 234 Rehoboth Ave., is open from 4 to 10 p.m., Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday; and 4 p.m. to midnight, Friday and Saturday. The restaurant is closed Monday and Tuesday.

Haggerty said the hours of operation are expected to expand to seven days a week once summer is in full swing.

For more information, call 302-212-5107 or go to sussexpublichouse.com. The restaurant can also be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.