Local Restauranteur Reflects on Nearly Four Decades of Sustainable Eats, Beatles Fans and Rock ‘n’ Roll

By Grace Silipigni

Most music fans would attribute the name Abbey Road to the iconic English rock band, The Beatles. Bill Dillon, owner of Abbey Road Pub & Restaurant, explains that the rock ‘n’ roll theme of his 22nd Street pub was purely coincidental. “I was inspired by a local restaurant called Smackwater Jack’s that was named after a song,” says Dillon. “I thought maybe I would get an idea of what to name my new restaurant by [looking through] some of my cassette tapes.”

The Beatles’ Abbey Road became Dillon’s title of choice. He has since been honored to meet several folks who have kindly donated Beatles-themed memorabilia to decorate the pub, including a record producer from Australia who donated three record albums that are displayed on the walls.

Abbey Road’s Beatles theme is complemented by its reputation as a live music venue. Dillon and his team have hosted Woodstock opener Richie Havens, Livingston Taylor and other notable performers at the oceanfront restaurant.

Central to the music and memorabilia is Abbey Road’s top-tier, made-from-scratch eats. “We cut our own steaks, make our own soups and make sure our food is always fresh and made-to-order,” says Dillon. “We have a dedicated gluten-free fryer and even make our own gluten-free breading for our fried seafood.”

Abbey Road is a Virginia Green restaurant and participates in the Surfrider Foundation and the Virginia Aquarium Sensible Seafood Program.