4 new nightspots on Long Island

Maybe it was the economy, the ongoing Sandy recovery or plain coincidence, but 2013 has been a sleepy year for new nightspots -- until now. Suddenly, there are several new venues, each with its own twist on giving people a night out.

The space formerly known as Sugar Dining Den and Social Club is back -- skipping the dining aspect, but doubling down on the social. There's a legit Manhattan dance club atmosphere here, courtesy of VIP areas, a dedicated dance floor, a large DJ booth with a top-of-the-line sound system and bottle service (as in, patrons purchase liquor by the bottle to mix drinks at their own pace).

Thursdays are shaping up to be a big deal, with celeb DJs like Chus+Ceballos (Thursday) and Danny Avila on Thanksgiving night. Saturday nights involve music that spans the gamut of freestyle, hip-hop and house music. Cover charges vary, but expect to spend $20-$25 at the door on Thursdays and $10-$15 on Saturdays.

Consider it a "meeting of the minds" for folks who like libations as much as caffeine. Vines & Hops is a rare venue that pours highly rated wines, locally sourced craft beer and brewed coffee drinks. The space has comfy couch-like seating for lounging and tall tables built on wine casks near the long wooden bar. Patrons might turn up on a night when there's live acoustic music -- or merely a big sports game on the flat-screen TVs. Either way, it's an easy place to grab a drink and have a conversation -- and a seriously convenient pit stop if you happen to be hitting downtown biggies like the Long Island Aquarium or a show at the Suffolk Theater. Bites can be had in the form of small plates and desserts.

From the same group that owns the quirky Leaky Lifeboat Inn bar in Seaford comes a cozy Suffolk space bent on giving alternative bands a place to showcase their work. Gone is the total dive-bar feel of the place -- a refurbishment delivered clean wooden floors, colorful walls and an upgraded stage with a beefed-up sound system. There are craft beers on tap from Blue Point and Great South Bay breweries, plus Angry Orchard hard cider. For now, the music hall is open only when there's a live gig scheduled. The bar marks its grand opening tonight with an after-10:30 party ($5 cover) by DJs Dorian Gray and Fotsbeats.

An offshoot of the long-lived original Lily Flanagan's Pub in Babylon village, the Ronkonkoma outpost is a sparkling new spot for friendly conversation and Irish fare by evening, followed by late-night DJ dancing on weekends and -- of course -- a big crowd for football on Sundays.