Hamptons party guide

Whether a fan of $2,000 table service or $3 beers, navigate the East End with ease

By Ian J. Stark

Special to Metromix
June 17, 2008

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Hamptons party guide
The deck at the Surf Lodge looks simple. Getting in? Not so much.
There’s a reason why the media keeps talking about the Hamptons in the summer. While not much more than a secluded enclave for the wealthy from September to May, it’s during the summer months you’ll find some of the world’s most exclusive and celebrity-driven nightclubs on the East End. Private mansions, VIP access and $2,000 table service is the norm for this year’s hot spots, so for those of you willing to risk rejection and a serious blow to your checking account, here are the hottest spots that are cooking at the far, far, faaaaaar end of South Conduit Avenue.

Expensive and exclusive

Lily Pond
The location once home to Le Flirt and Resort has once again re-invented itself into the talk of the scene. Think that’s overstating it? How many clubs have you been to that have a helicopter pad set up to receive guests? Table service starts at $2,000, but even if you can afford it, you'll still need to have a special resume to arrive unannounced—as the doormen have already gained a rep for refusing those outside the celebrated circles. If, by some chance, you do gain entry, you’ll be both impressed (with the regognizable crowd of well-to-do scenestesr, actors, athletes, musicians) and unimpressed (the room is small, the dance floor frustrating). For the claustrophobic, there are outdoor banquettes that are volume-controlled just in case the DJ isn’t playing your personal preference. As for the music, it ranges from rock to house, with the occasional live performance from artists. Better yet, Lily Pond shares the yard with the Kobe Beach Club, so if you're feeling like some sudden Wagyu, you'll have no problem. (44 Three Mile Harbor Road, East Hampton, no phone)

Surf Lodge
Perhaps it's because this was once the not-so-fresh Lakeside Inn, or maybe because it's in less-than-glitzy Montauk, that there’s been a bit of pooh-poohing toward this revamped and relaxing eatery. Nonetheless, the summer so far has been a huge, celebrity-studded success, as the view of Fort Pond is now matched by a sizeable deck that also serves as a stage for favorites from the underground music scene. It's got an artsy feel, with photos, paintings and other colorful dashes, all mashed with surfer regalia whipped up by owners Jamie Mullholland, Robert McKinley, Jayma Cardosa (Cain) and Steven Kamali (GoldBar). There's some seasonal grub on hand as well, with Sam Talbot of "Top Chef " fame running the kitchen. Prices are reasonable (mostly under $20), but seeing as though the joint has been heavily promoted in the "right" circles, admission for those not invited will entail a long wait and some luck. (183 Edgemere St., Montauk, 631-238-5190)

La Playa
If you've summered out east before, you might have partied here—though you may remember it as Stereo-on-The-Shore or Tavern. However, the current owners (David Sarner and Bobby Montwaid of nearby-neighbor Pink Elephant) have punched it up...slightly. Some new paneling here and there, but basically this is still the big dance floor flanked by VIP sections. And unlike many other East End attractions, this isn't so much a celebrity draw; more like a place where famous faces are paid to make an appearance. However, with the mystique of the Hamptons behind it, many with money are still flocking to the Saturday night parties. (Fridays still belong to the regulars of the—gasp—Long Island club scene, who still call it Tavern). But there are perks if you're a VIP: The Estate (AKA the Bermuda Estate) returns (courtesy of Tenjune's Eugene Remm and Mark Birnbaum) as an invite-only, private-party space for guests in the loop who need to get away from the abundance of spiky hair and tube tops.(125 Tuckahoe Ln., Southampton, 631-251-629)

Dune
So far, it’s been a somewhat underwhelming summer for this two-year-old A-list hang, though it's more like A-minus this year. Regardless, it’s still mostly packed, especially the Kiss and Fly Saturday parties aided by Randy Scott of the eponymous Meatpacking District spot. Last year's decor has been tamed a bit, and updated with an '80's feel, although there's still plenty of nautical rope to go around. The crowd remains a general mix of guests with major money (and major names), but unlike last year there are a fair amount of attractive walk-ups making the grade. And although table service is currently set at $2,000, the average drink at the bar will run you around $12.  (1181 N. Sea Road, Southampton, 631-283-0808)

Pink Elephant (281 County Rd. 39A, Southampton, 631-287-9888)
It was a close call between this still-jumping room at the Capri and the ritzy, successful nights at Nello (the eastern extension of the Madison Avenue resto) but Elephant still makes this summer’s top five. As mentioned earlier, David Sarner and Bobby Montwaid have joined forces with Eugene Remm and Mark Birbaum of Tenjune to handle La Playa, which has, in effect, become the place to handle PE’s overflow. It’s with this that the small room and the legendary outdoor cabana-laden deck are kept exclusive: the invited and fabulous drop-bys still make the Elephant cut, while the more pedestrian guests are sent over to La Playa. It has worked well so far, as Pink has managed to maintain a steady stream of model-types and well-to-do Hamptonites and Manhattanites alike. 

MORE HAMPTONS NIGHTLIFE: Easy on the wallet (and the ego) —>

 

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