If you didn’t already know, there is a time machine in downtown Lewes that transports you to colonial times and even provides a cocktail for the journey.
Well, sort of.
Nestled in the Historic Lewes Town Campus at 110 Shipcarpenter St., Sussex Tavern is a recreated 18th-century watering hole. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, the fully functional bar serves interesting facts about Lewes with a side of historic libations.
Volunteer Terry Mansberger works as both a colonial interpreter and licensed bartender. One of several tavern barkeeps, he also serves as backup tavern master.
“Our mission is to bring history alive, and the tavern allows us that opportunity,” Terry said. “Visitors can step behind the museum ropes and actually get a taste of real Lewes history!”
The tavern serves local beer and wine for $6, colonial cocktails for $10 and mocktails for $3. A popular introduction is the $13 historic flight, which includes tastes of five colonial cocktails.
The bar recreates a late-18th-century meeting place operated by Simon and Sarah Marriner from 1792 to 1817 near St. Peter’s Church. While the current building is not the original tavern, it is an authentic Sussex County structure dating to about 1740.
Today, the rustic, candlelit bar features 18th-century music and period games such as checkers and dominoes. Patrons may also bring food or enjoy a picnic on the grounds.
“We have the original Sussex Tavern business ledger, and it shows who attended, how frequently they came in and what they drank,” Terry said. “We used the ledger to find exact recipes for the old cocktails.”
Drinks are mixed by hand using historically inspired ingredients and techniques.
“The Milk Punch is the most interesting,” Terry said. “It has clarified milk with rum and citrus. We filter out the curds, and what is left is a boozy whey mixture that tastes like limoncello or a Creamsicle.”
Another favorite is Cherry Bounce, a cherry-infused whiskey said to have been George Washington’s favorite drink. It is served hot in winter and cold during warmer months.
One modern concession is ice.
“They didn’t have much ice in colonial times. Everything was room temperature, but we do use it now,” Terry said with a wink.
The original ledger also revealed that one regular, Isaac Turner, visited almost daily. In his honor, the tavern created the Isaac Turner Mug Club, which now boasts more than 100 members.
Members receive a personalized handmade mug that is displayed in a numbered spot on the tavern wall, along with discounts and other perks.
“It’s something fun to be a part of,” Terry said. “The tavern has become what it was in 1800, a meeting place and the heartbeat of historic Lewes. People enter as strangers and leave as new friends with a special memory of Lewes. Huzzah!”
The tavern is open year-round and hosts Shanty Nights from 6 to 8 p.m. on the third Friday of each month. A local volunteer group leads the crowd in historic sailors’ songs.
“In the summer, these are really popular,” Terry said. “We’ve had more than 200 people on the lawn outside.”
First Friday Community Nights also bring live music, fireside stories and tours to the campus from 4 to 7 p.m. each month. Learn more at: historiclewes.org/locations/sussex-tavern
Crush Questions:
Favorite Restaurant?
In Lewes, it’s Harbour Restaurant for the brisket. In Rehoboth, it’s Café Azafrán for tapas and
ratatouille.
Favorite Beach Activity?
I love the Gordon’s Pond area in Cape Henlopen State Park. It has a natural beach, walking trails and great places for watching ships and wildlife.
Currently Crushing On?
We planted a pollinator garden in our yard, and we’ve been having nightly “porch time,” a little social hour to sit, have a drink with friends and watch for hummingbirds!
