Tagged: SL East

Provocateur Closes For The Summer

It’s that time of year again! Provocateur is officially closed for the rest of the summer and has relocated to Ibiza and Cannes to host pop-up parties. Since the summertime is known to draw lack-luster crowds due to the cream of the crop either being in Europe or the Hamptons. Provocateur owners Mike Satsky and Brian Gefter (also of the late Hamptons hotspot Lilly Pond which is now SL East) would much rather temporarily close its doors than have to let sub-par patrons into the club regardless of how much money they spend. With Provocateur, one of the best clubs in New York City for house music, now closed until late August we’ll now see an influx of people at other New York house clubs such as Lavo and Pink Elephant. While all the rich guys who order Ace of Spades parades at Provoc won’t exactly be stuck in the city for the summer don’t worry, they won’t be gone for too long. [Photo via]

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4th of July Weekend at SL East – Nightlife Notebook

All this commotion with Jason Kidd getting into a DUI after leaving SL East reminded me that I completely forgot to post about my first time at SL East over the 4th of July weekend. After Simyone Lounge (SL’s) huge success in the city, EMM Group decided to bring another branch of the club to East Hamptons in the former Lily Pond space. The club is a little bit removed from most other things in the Hamptons but I suppose that helps with noise complaints and over crowding on the roads. The building itself actually can host two venues, one is usually a restaurant while the other is a nightclub. To the left of the building, is the new Brasserie Beaumarchais East and to the right is SL East. The long red carpet has a very glamorous look and guests can crowd the ropes but not one, but three different sides. Once inside, the first room you are in happens to be the split between Beaumarchais and SL East and unfortunately there are two random bathrooms in that same room so you first enter the venue to this massive crowd waiting to use the restroom. But once you get past that crowd you enter a quite large nightclub area. The venue is split into four portions: the bar area at the front, the main area with all the tables in the middle, the “VIP” area behind the DJ booth and the outdoor smoking section that also has bottle service seating. [Photo via]

 

[Photo via]

The music towards the beginning of the night tends to be more rap music and then it switches more to house and open format later on in the evening. All the photography is within the club is handled by Kirill Was Here so you can be sure to expect a lot of champagne facials showers. Once the crowd starts filing in the club became so packed that moving became almost impossible. All of the tables were full and the only place to sit were outside but many of those were wet from the rain earlier. Everyone was dancing on top of their couches and bottles and sparklers were coming as if the recession just ended…then again, what recession? Considering there are really only two major club options in the Hamptons (South Pointe and SL East) SL East, from what I’ve heard about South Pointe, is more for a crowd looking for an open-format song-set throughout the night. It’s much more fun with a table but there is the outdoor area where you can sit and talk with friends if you’re looking for a calmer night out. But then again, who really comes to SL East for quiet conversation? Be sure to check out SL East for a wild night out east in the Hamptons!

Surf Lodge

The Surf Lodge on Urbanspoon

Well its that time of year again…Memorial Day weekend! And of course everyone in New York City leaves the city at least for one of the three days to go to the Hamptons where all the action happens this weekend. With all of the parties and places to go this weekend it was kind of hard choosing what to do. There was the openings of SL East, The Elm and Axe Lounge at Dune Southampton as well as Day & Night in Montauk, live music at the Surf Lodge, the launch of the lounge at Nello Summertime, the Blue & Cream anniversary at the Georgica and the Hamptons staple: Nick & Toni. I chose to go to Surf Lodge for dinner and the launch party at Nello in Southampton.

Surf Lodge is basically the only hot-spot in Montauk that attracts people from the city. While the locals may not like it due to the large and noisy crowds Surf Lodge brings in, no one can attest the fact that people will take that extra 20 minute drive from Southampton to go to Surf Lodge on a good night. Surf Lodge is a hotel, restaurant and lounge all in one. The lounge is outside and features its own version of bottle service tables, two bars and and a seating area off to the side in front of Fort Pond. Patrons can also swim in Fort Pond when at the lounge which I found interesting (think of it like a more chic version of the hot tub at Le Bain).

The restaurant is normally booked solid, especially on holiday weekends, but if you go early you’ll probably get a table (which is what I did). The indoor portion of the restaurant is nice but the outside seating is where all the action is. The view overlooks Fort Pond and the sunset is great if you’re lucky enough to get one of the outermost tables but sadly if you get seated in the wrong spot your view happens to be the power plant just across the pond. The menu is very “Hamptons” meaning you get your fix of oysters, mussels, linguine with seafood and lobster rolls. To start I ordered the special of the day which was Tuna Tartare and the Lobster Roll. The Tuna Tartare was prepared on a tortilla chip with pineapple. I really enjoyed the salty flavors of the tortilla chip and fruity flavor of the pineapple. Also the tuna used in the dish was fresh which is always a plus. The Lobster Roll was actually quite different than most lobster rolls you’ll get in the Hamptons. Instead of being prepared with mayonnaise, this lobster roll had just the claw meat with a bit of parsley and was in a hot dog bun. I actually liked this more than the traditional lobster roll since I find that tends to always be too overpowered by the mayonnaise.The service was very attentive though the man who was working at the lobby was very pretentious and condescending. Also drinks are served in plastic cups which was rather off putting considering this was the Surf Lodge (and no the plastic cups don’t make the vibe more “beachy” and casual when you’re paying $13 a drink).

Despite the one employee who was less than pleasant and the plastic cups and the power-plant that was kind of in the way of the view, I did enjoy my visit to Surf Lodge. The kitchen serves surprisingly good food and the place draws in a great crowd. I can understand why people who live in Montauk aren’t too fond of Surf Lodge but its a great spot to start off your night (or to spend your night since there’s live music at 7 PM and sometimes a DJ at 10 PM)!

Ambiance: 8

Food: 7

Service: 5

Overall: 7

Verdict: Oasis

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