About Tolchester Marina
Tolchester Marina sits on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay, about 20 miles north of the Bay Bridge, on the grounds of the old Tolchester Beach resort. In the late 1800s Baltimore families rode steamboats roughly two hours across the bay to reach its sandy beach, bluff-top views, carousel and amusement park, and a steam-powered railway that climbed the bluff. Today the site is a working marina with more than 260 slips, a boatyard, a fuel dock and a marine store, but it also welcomes visitors who come for the food and the water.
Two places to eat share the property. The Channel Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner during the boating season, and the marina has long prided itself on its crab cakes. Down on the sand, the Shanty Beach Bar opens from mid-May through September on Fridays from 3 to 11 PM, Saturdays from noon to 11 PM and Sundays from noon to 5 PM, with grill food and live bands on the deck in afternoon and evening sets.
The Shanty is all ages, though anyone under 21 must be with a parent or guardian, and leashed, well-behaved dogs are allowed. Seating is first come, first served. Boaters can tie up in a free day slip, assigned at the fuel dock as space allows. The marina also runs a summer concert series and a classic car show, and a shuttle stop links it to Rock Hall and Chestertown.
Harvey Haven Lavender Farm, the nearest on our list, is roughly 35 minutes away by car, so an afternoon at the farm can end with crab cakes and a bay sunset here.
What to do
- Order crab cakes at The Channel Restaurant
- Catch live music at the Shanty Beach Bar, Fridays to Sundays from mid-May through September
- Spend a summer afternoon on the beach with chairs and umbrellas
- Arrive by boat and use a free day slip, first come, first served
- Walk the bayfront where the 1800s Tolchester Beach resort once stood
- See the marina's classic car show
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Shanty Beach Bar mid-May through September; The Channel Restaurant open seasonally
- Hours
- Shanty Beach Bar, mid-May through September: Fri 3-11 PM, Sat 12-11 PM, Sun 12-5 PM; closed Mon-Thu
- Admission
- free
Good to know
- Dogs
- Leashed
- Reservations
- Walk-in
Tips for your visit
- Outside food, alcohol, coolers and insulated tumblers aren't allowed at the beach bar, and bags may be searched
- Holiday weekends are busy and day slips go fast
- The saltwater pool is only for slip holders and overnight boaters
- Plan a designated driver if you'll be drinking at the beach bar
Pair it with a lavender farm
Harvey Haven Lavender Farm · about 35 minutes away
Harvey Haven Lavender Farm is about 35 minutes away; confirm the farm's open days, then head to the bay for dinner and music.
Getting there
Questions
Can I bring my dog to the Shanty Beach Bar?
Yes, if it's well behaved and on a leash.
Are kids allowed at the Shanty?
Yes, it's all ages, but anyone under 21 must be with a parent or guardian.
Does the Shanty take reservations?
No. Tables are first come, first served.
Can I bring a cooler to the beach?
No. Outside food and alcohol, coolers and insulated tumblers aren't permitted.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of Salisbury & Maryland's Lower Eastern Shore
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
