For some New Yorkers, the Hamptons, an enclave of buzzy beach towns about 100 miles east of Manhattan, is the quintessential summertime escape. For the past three seasons, Brooklyn bartender Maegan Delgrande has been among them.
“I originally took a job bartending at Moby’s [in East Hampton] to escape the summer heat in Brooklyn and spend some time bartending beachside,” Delgrande says. “I quickly fell in love with the lifestyle: surfing, beach bonfires, and boats.”
“The workload is a heavy one, but it keeps you on your toes and the payoff at the end of the season is well worth it,” she adds.
Prior to her 2019 Hamptons tenure, Delgrande spent six months working on the Mulberry Project pop-ups in Tulum and Nairobi. She keeps coming back to the Hamptons, however, thanks in large part to the ever-evolving food and drink scene. “The majority of the restaurants and bars only operate seasonally, so it never gets old,” she says.
Here, we explore all that the Hamptons and Montauk have to offer, according to Delgrande.
DRINKING AND DINING
Moby’s (East Hampton)
“Moby’s is where you will find me serving up a multitude of ‘patio pleasers’ from behind the bar. We have a killer tequila-based passionfruit habañero cocktail called Cabo Nights that goes down entirely too easy. The space is sprawling and overlooks a marina full of yachts; it’s the best place to watch the sunset in all of East Hampton and is certainly known for being so. It’s easy to spend the whole night here, being that dinner is served until 11:00 p.m. and, depending on the night, there’s everything from DJs to reggae bands performing for the late-night crowd. The cuisine is northern Italian and the two-and-a-half-pound lobster dish doesn’t disappoint. You could also keep it simple and have one of their thin-crust pizzas.” Location.
TT’s (Montauk)
“This adorably decorated Mexican restaurant is the new kid on the block in Montauk and is definitely worth a trip to the marina. They’ve got an incredible agave spirits portfolio and have a killer ginger Margarita. All of the food is thoughtfully curated and super fresh; the grilled chicken tacos are packed with flavor and intoxicating.” Location.
Rosie’s (Amagansett)
“Rosie’s is also a newcomer as of this year in Amagansett. The owners’ farm is the sole provider for all of the produce in the restaurant, which shows in the food. Everything is incredibly fresh … it’s a true farm-to-table experience. My favorites on the menu are the house-made pickles, chilled broccolini, and the chicken schnitzel sandwich. The Mezcal Cooler is full of smoke and citrus and is totally delicious.” Location.
Page at 63 Main (Sag Harbor)
“This is definitely my favorite brunch spot! The jumbo lump crab cakes eggs Benedict is to die for. They also have a great organic wine menu. The thing I like most about this spot is that everyone in the industry is there late-night so it gets wild; it’s a great place to network and get to know literally everyone in the industry in Sag Harbor. The music and socializing are the best in the area.” Location.
SLEEPING
Gurney’s (Montauk)
“Although this property has many bars, the Regent Firepit is my favorite. It’s right on the beach and has cabanas and DJs on the sand. It’s definitely a great place to be ‘seen’ in the Hamptons. The rooms and the clientele are really chic; almost all of the rooms overlook the ocean and you literally feel like you’re sleeping in the water.” Location.
The Maidstone (East Hampton)
“I like this hotel because it’s a bit out of the way of everything. The rooms are a mix of modern Scandinavian design and old-world cottage feel. Their restaurant is attached and offers really great American cuisine; you don’t need to leave the property at all if you’re just there to unwind. It’s also stunning for a winter stay.” Location
EXTRACURRICULARS
Sag Harbor and Montauk
“These are my favorite neighborhoods to explore. Both are expanding at a steady pace so I find new places and things to do every year I return. Montauk is definitely more geared toward the late-night scene and is a ton of fun, while Sag Harbor is great for shopping and finding new restaurants. It’s quaint, village-like, and bustling.”
