Big Chill Beach Club
The most redeeming virtue of Big Chill Beach Club is that it is the only restaurant in the world offering elevated tableside views of the Atlantic Ocean and Indian River Bay. The most unique thing, however, is the signature umbrella that sits atop the venue’s glass-enclosed dining area, a ~$400,000 Austrian-built engineering marvel measuring 36-feet in diameter and able to withstand a Category 3 hurricane (though, thankfully, it has yet to be hurricane field tested). The umbrella has curious utility, however, because the owners rarely close it during the season, thereby exposing the restaurant to the welcoming summer sky, instead sliding open the glass partitions that serve as the main room’s walls, when the summer weather cooperates. So, why even have the impressive umbrella, closing it only in the offseason? The facility includes a large rooftop deck room accompanying the tented main area, with decking adorning the Delaware State Park location (and a gift shop too). BCBC is foremost a partying, meeting, and drinking space, and while families are welcome, your kids may be closer in age to the majority of college-aged patrons than those who drove them to the Indian River Outlet location. Food is not the point at BCBC, but the menu offers the usual bar favorites, including a careful selection of healthy bowls and salads to accompany your less than healthy rounds of drinks. The views, the fun, and ambiance bring you to BCBC, including a welcome stroll on the beach several paces north to observe the action at one of Delmarva’s largest surfing spots. Come for the fun, and remember to bring an extra $5, because state beach parking is not free, even more if you have an out-of-state license.
