Lily Pond
photo: courtesy of Lily Pond
As summer temperatures rise, so does the heat generated by the Hamptons nightlife scene. While established spots are still going strong – Sag Harbor's American Hotel nabbed the No. 1 rankings for both Appeal and Service in our just-released 2008 Hamptons Nightlife Survey, while Westhampton Beach's Annona scored highest for Decor – the area has also welcomed a slew of sizzling openings that stretch from the perennially swanky stomping grounds of Southampton to the previously sleepy surfer shores of Montauk. To help you navigate this burgeoning beach bar scene, we’ve put together a list of the newest debuts. There's something for everyone, from surf-chic courtesy of Steven Kamali and the Cain crew to Jeffrey Chodorow's East End outpost to glitzy nightspots for the bottle-service set.
62 Main St., Sag Harbor; 631-725-7427
Ed ‘Jean Luc’ Kleefield has retired Mumbo Gumbo, his Cajun-fish-fry concept in Sag Harbor, and replaced it with a considerably more sophisticated Italian enoteca; the wraparound bar might not be authentically Milanese, but it offers plenty of perches for sipping selections from the substantial wine list (including many local offerings) and noshing on light tapas and brick-oven pizzas.
Kobe Beach Club
photo: courtesy of Kobe Beach Club
44 Three Mile Harbor Rd., East Hampton; 631-604-2610
Jeffrey Chodorow’s pricey East Hampton excursion is in the same building as Lily Pond, sending Kobe sliders over to famished partyers at that next-door nightclub; its own large, dark bar and patio area offer comparative calm and a selection of serious cocktails.
125 Tuckahoe Ln., Southampton; 631-287-2125
The Pink Elephant crew brings all of its requisite cachet, big-name DJs and guest hosts to this new 10,000-sq.-ft. dance club (the largest in Southampton) in the onetime Tavern space; as for the crowded dance floor, outdoor bottle-service cabanas offer a respite.
44 Three Mile Harbor Rd., East Hampton; 631-907-2790
Pull up alongside valet-parked Maseratis, Ferraris and Porsches and bring lots of cash to this sexy, trendy club in East Hampton (taking over the former Resort site) aimed at weekending fat cats; pricey bottle service is de rigueur inside the purple-lit lounge area, as are short skirts and a throbbing soundtrack, which completes the sensual vibe.
183 Edgemere St., Montauk; 631-238-5190
A little bit of glitz comes to Montauk with this big-budget, well-thought-out makeover of the Lakeside Inn by the Cain crew and Steven Kamali; there are three different bars (two are outside) and a restaurant helmed by Top Chef hunk Sam Talbot, so it’s no wonder this triple-threat hotel-nightlife-dining destination at The End of the East End is already crammed with hordes of surfers, slackers, scenesters and strutters.