My trusty team of barflies—always game for our yearly East End bar-hopping blast—and I quaffed a few too many potent cocktails, matched up with some of the most delicious bar bites in the Hamptons.
FRIDAY
Noyac to Sag Harbor to East Hampton
5:30 P.M. | The crawl kicks off at
Bell & Anchor, a handsome marine-inspired restaurant with a grand wooden bar, wraparound windows, and brilliant views of Mill Creek Marina (3253 Noyac Rd., 631-725-3400, bellandanchor.com). Already packed on its opening weekend, Bell & Anchor has the golden touch of Hamptons restaurateur David Loewenberg (Fresno, Beacon, etc.). Mixologist Rich Lamiroult pours Polynesian Mai Tais (Mount Gay rum, Amaretto, lime, orange wheel), which we savor with crudo, a PB&O (pork belly and oyster bite), and brandade on toast.
7:00 P.M. | Our designated driver ferries us to Muse in the Harbor, previously Muse in Water Mill but now in a bigger and fancier location in Sag Harbor (16 Main St., 631-899-4810, museintheharbor.com). We test two unusual cocktails—Sage Diplomacy (Blanco Diplomatico white rum, sage, cucumber, ginger, lime) and Pink Lemon-Up (Croft Pink port, lemonade, Prosecco)—and devour pulled-pork sliders and “Mother’s meatballs four ways.”
9:00 P.M. | After arriving at Andrra on Three Mile Harbor in East Hampton (39 Gann Rd., 631-329-3663, andrra.com), we wished we’d made it in time for the sunset. This impressive Mediterranean eatery faces west, with stunning views over the water. We cool down in the sleek-looking, nautical-themed lounge with Sunsetinis (Absolut Mandarin, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, fresh lemonade) and nibble on Tuscan shrimp. Super-cute bar gal Whitney Gibson entices us with her Kentucky Derby–inspired bourbon mint lemonade with Maker’s Mark—a nifty nightcap indeed.
saturday
Bridgehampton to East Hampton, then Southampton
5:30 P.M. | We’re psyched for another exciting night, starting in Bridgehampton at Osteria Salina, a new Sicilian seafood restaurant that recently replaced the tapas restaurant Copa (95 School St., 631-613-6469, osteriasalina.com). The appropriately named Mt. Etna Cactus-Pear Mojito (it really glows red, with Cruzan Coconut rum, Goslings Black Seal rum, cactus-pear puree, lime, and mint) is eye-openingly good, as are the snacks of sushi grade timballo al tonno and jumbo lump crab cakes.
8:00 P.M. | Venturing next to the French Riviera–style, white subway-tiled Beaumarchais (44 Three Mile Harbor Rd., 212-675-2400, beaumarchaiseasthampton.com) in East Hampton, we settle into orange banquettes for La Plage cocktails (Michter’s Rye, lemon juice, honey, and citrus zest). The cool libation and an enticing spread of fluke ceviche and tuna tartare with avocado put us in a St. Tropez state of mind.
10:00 P.M. | The crawl draws to a close at Southampton’s cozy, hidden-away Little Red, where the red clapboard bar is ideal for sipping while savoring addictive lobster quesadillas and tuna tartare (76C Jobs Ln., 631-283-3309, littleredsouthampton.com). Barman Andy Drake presents us with Silver Tulips (Nolet’s Silver Dry Gin, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, fresh grapefruit, and lime juice), a highly aromatic cocktail reflecting the gin’s Turkish rose botanical. A great spot to end a most eclectic crawl.