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Anyone who has visited the Hamptons knows that it has a wild side. And the best place to experience that wild side its myriad bars and clubs which get going until the early hours. We’ve surveyed frequent visitors to the Hamptons to uncover the best bars in the Hamptons and the best clubs in the Hamptons – and we’ll let you know what each is perfect for.
Generally, the Hamptons offers incredible experiences for all types of traveler. You would be remiss to travel to the Hamptons and not experience the nightlife scene. Having said that, so much of the Hamptons happens during the day so nightlife is a misnomer. There is something to be said for a day party (it’s just so much nicer to be in bed earlier) and the Hamptons does a day party very well.
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Best Bars in the Hamptons
Murf’s Backstreet Tavern
Murf’s is not just a local dive bar in Sag Harbor, it is the local dive bar in Sag Harbor. This is the place to be at night during the summer, with doors open until 2 am. One thing we will say is that Murf’s has a more laidback atmosphere which can be quite relieving in a region where most other places pride themselves on being a lot more hoity-toity.
And if you find yourself with a hankering for some food, they serve a mean grilled cheese which is surprisingly satisfying. Murf’s also makes their own IPA which is definitely worth trying (they’ve also done a great job on the branding).
Stephen Talkhouse
It’s very hard to describe Stephen Talkhouse accurately because if it were just described by the appearance of exterior and internal décor, you’d be right to think that it’s nothing particularly special (it’s an old house from the early 19th century). But this tiny venue in Amagansett has played host to huge names, including Paul McCartney from the Beatles. This isn’t just a bar with live music, this is a bar with music by international stars playing live.
For a venue that has been around for so long, the team does an excellent job of staying ahead of the trends and showcasing some of the best in live music. They have somehow managed to blend a casual neighborhood bar with a space fit for huge acts, and that is precisely what makes Stephen Talkhouse so special.
Stephen Talkhouse goes late and gets very rowdy, so it probably qualifies as one of the best clubs in the Hamptons as well as one of the best bars in Hamptons.
Shagwong Tavern
Shagwong is the bar and kitchen combo that you’re used to, but with so many incredible restaurants in the Hamptons, what you’re really at Shagwong for is its great bar scene. This is the Montauk institution that has been around for almost a century but yet somehow stayed ahead of the curve. Like Murf’s in Sag Harbor, Shagwong is also in the realm of a dive bar but feels somehow a little more elevated.
This might be a bit rogue to say, but they actually have an excellent lobster roll (and that’s saying something given the Hamptons has so many eateries with great lobster rolls). Having said that, as we said at the top of this description, you’re at Shagwong for the experience and not the food. It’s one of the best bars in the Hamptons for a reason.
Almond
Almond is absolutely going to catch you by surprise. It is first and foremost a restaurant, but it turns into one of the best bars in the Hamptons as soon as the evening gets going. The restaurant is located in Bridgehampton which has plenty to offer on its own. It’s surprising that a restaurant can also be one of the best bars in the Hamptons, but there is something about the understated charm which makes it a special experience.
Almond is specifically known for being attracting an LGBT audience with gay men being the largest category of patrons at the bar. We probably shouldn’t say this because it’s a local secret, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if you were to catch, say, Neil Patrick Harris or another celebrity.
Best Clubs in the Hamptons
The Surf Lodge
There are few places that capture that Hamptons lifestyle like a day partying at The Surf Lodge. This is the Hamptons institution which – indisputably – epitomizes the party side of the Hamptons. It’s young, cool and painfully exclusive – which makes it exactly what everyone is looking for in the Hamptons. There’s no doubt that The Surf Lodge is one of the best clubs in the Hamptons, and generally it’s an experience that qualifies as one of the best things to do in the Hamptons.
If you’ve not been to the Hamptons before, you’ll be quite surprised that such a small venue plays host to world-renowned musical acts and DJs (think Alesso and Sofi Tukker). But that is precisely what makes The Surf Lodge so special: it’s the chance to get up close and personal with big-name acts that would normally sell out venues with tens of thousands of people.
It feels like an impossibly cool sunset concert for a big group of friends who all know each other, and that’s the party side of the Hamptons in one experience. There really is no question that The Surf Lodge is one of the best clubs in the Hamptons.
You can’t expect to just walk into The Surf Lodge – no, no, no. It wouldn’t be fun without the challenge of obtaining (exorbitantly priced) tickets and trying to coordinate a big group of friends to settle on one act that everyone wants to go to. Make sure you get your tickets as soon as possible because they tend to sell out quickly.
Common Ground East
The funny part about Common Ground East is that it bills itself as “just another bar in the Hamptons,” but if you’ve ever been, you’ll know that it is just so much more. Prepare yourself for the quintessential Hamptons night out – it’s fast-paced, a scene in the truest sense, impossibly cool and exclusive. The aesthetic of the venue is incredible, the crowd is always looking for a great time, and the pricing is just as outrageous.
They also have another location in Montauk which opened more recently, but if you’re looking for the party scene, then you’re looking for Common Ground in East Hampton.
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