NORTH BEACH, Md. — On May 31, Neptune’s Seafood Pub in North Beach is celebrating 40 years of business with a day of music, seafood and family fun. The event will take place at Neptune’s at 8802 Chesapeake Ave. and will include BBQ, street tacos and more, in addition to Neptune’s food. It’s an indoor/outdoor event with something for everyone.
So far, more than 700 people have expressed interest in attending.
Guests can purchase limited-time Neptune’s 40th anniversary merchandise and sign up for the cornhole tournament, all while listening to live music. Featured acts include The Blackbyrds, Moran Trip and Moose Jaw Bluegrass.
The event is family- and community-focused, much like the pub itself. Owner Bill Sherman mentioned that his daughters, who also work at the restaurant, have activities like fake tattoos and nail painting planned for a dedicated kids’ table.
“We wanted to create something fun for people,” Sherman said. “It’s all about opening the doors.”
Sherman has been there almost since the beginning of Neptune’s. The pub opened under previous ownership in 1985, and Sherman started as a cook in 1989. He went on to culinary school and worked as a chef in Baltimore before returning to Neptune’s in 2000. He bought the restaurant in 2004.
Loyalty to Neptune’s seems to be baked (or fried) into the restaurant’s culture. Some employees have been there for 15 years and chose to continue with the pub even after landing full-time jobs elsewhere. Sherman attributes this to the friendships created at work.
“Your core of people are there. If you need something, you got it,” he added.
Longtime employee Danielle Freeland agreed. “My coworkers and customers have become my family,” she said. Freeland has been with Neptune’s for 13 years.
These relationships and good old-fashioned hard work have kept Neptune’s going, even through a challenging renovation in 2018 and the pandemic closures of 2020. Sherman has served three generations of families in North Beach and believes the pub’s longevity comes from the strength of the community and the dedication of his staff.
Neptune’s is a master class in old-school work ethic and the value of staying humble — the main goal, even after 40 years, is simply to provide good food to good people. It’s a gem in today’s volatile restaurant industry, where trends come and go and authenticity can be hard to find.
“When I got here, I knew it was home,” Sherman said.
So it tracks that the restaurant exudes homey energy and friendship — it’s like stopping by your best friend’s house unannounced on a weekend, only for them to bust out a six-pack and cook your favorite meal.
The 40th anniversary party kicks off at 12 p.m. on May 31. You can find more information here and follow Neptune’s on Facebook.
And after the party?
“Who knows,” Sherman said with a laugh. “I’m just trying to get out of the kitchen more.”
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