Residents of New York will go to considerable lengths for some time in the surf despite having to work harder to get there. Getting from the city to the beach typically requires a combination of the subway, a rental car, and possibly the Long Island Railroad. The city’s inhabitants also do their best to extend the summertime as much as possible.
City folks travel to New York’s best beach communities, such as the Hamptons, Greenport on the North Fork, and car-free Fire Island, in quest of salty air, fresh seafood, and a decent drink with a view. This happens from the early spring days to the chillier fall. These are our top beachside bars to locate all of the above, no matter what area of New York you’re coming from. And believe us when we say each location is worthwhile for planning a trip around, even if the hike is challenging.
Montauk’s Beach Club
Even though it’s not a bar, it’s unquestionably the ideal place to sip on fine cocktails while stomping on the sand. The Beach Club personifies the Hamptons Summer experience at Gurney’s Montauk Resort and Seawater Spa. On a 1,000-foot-long private beach, relax on king-sized daybeds (reservation required), sip flowing rosé, and have fresh lime-juice-based Margaritas brought directly to you. The club also provides a menu of small nibbles for when you’re peckish, including lighter options like the mezze platter and all-American staples like the Gurney’s Burger. The one drawback is that this beach bar is exclusively accessible to hotel members; however, the resort and spa, which has only recently opened, is one of the best reasons to visit this area.
Bayville’s Ocean Sunset Lounge
A short drive from New York City, this reservation-only bar is nestled on the North side of Long Island Sound. And there is undoubtedly a hint of the urban attitude. This is not where to enter your sandy flip-flops with a well-dressed group. A seasonal sushi chef finds local fish in the summer, and the menu is heavy on fresh seafood. Come here for expertly crafted drinks, high snacks, and a million-dollar vista from the floor-to-ceiling windows that stare out over the sea.
The venue is lively, with music banging from 3:30 to 5:30 on weekdays, and seats are more brutal to get by. However, if you happen to be in the area on Mondays when the raw bar is half off, the local blue point oysters go perfectly with a glass of champagne.
Beach bar Lowtide, Greenport
The reserved seating The retro-chic Soundview Hotel has a new addition called Lowtide Beach Bar. It is situated directly on the sand and opens every day at 4 pm, just as the sun begins to set slowly. It was built to pursue long days spent in and on the ocean. (You’ll know the bar is open when the row of tiki torches is on fire.)
Even if the bar’s great beverages and Adirondack chairs never let you down, you should move quickly before this season is through because New York City’s Death & Co. is conducting a pop-up with their top-notch drinks through October 2020. There aren’t any poor drinks on the menu, but two that stand out are The Palm Dreams (two quality rums, kalamansi, lime, and honey) and The Catamaran (gin, Aperol, cinnamon, grapefruit, lemon, and coconut).
Fire Island’s surf is up.
One of the closest coastal retreats to New York City is Fire Island, where Surf’s Out is situated in the town of Kismet. The waterfront pub accepts guests from both land and sea since it is reachable by ferry, personal boat, and a short stroll from the well-liked day-trip destination Robert Moses State Park.
Take a seat at one of the tables outside and sip like a local by selecting a can of Montauk Brewing Co. beer or a traditional cocktail. The Dark ‘N’ Stormy is just what you’d imagine it to be: a straightforward combination of Gosling’s rum, lime, and ginger beer; but the must-try beverage is the Rocket Fuel, a Fire Island original that’s a boosted version of the pia colada with 151 rum and amaretto. It’s as deadly as it sounds, so one or two will be sufficient.
Surf’s Out serves Italian food, fresh seafood, and a great sushi selection if you’re hungry. But everything on offer comes together perfectly in the Ahi Tuna sandwich. On their website, watch theme nights and daytime events, such as live music performances and unique happy hours.