The Corner opens in Sag Harbor
Inside The Corner, the newly renovated spot in Sag Harbor from the team behind The Clam Bar. Credit: Newsday/Marie Elena Martinez
Sag Harbor’s Corner Bar closed in February, after almost 50 years serving the village from its post at the corner of Main and Bay Streets. The legacy continues as husband and wife duo, John and Kelly Piccinnini — who also own The Clam Bar and Sett Coffee in Amagansett — plan to soon reopen the space as The Corner.
The opening was previously scheduled for Friday evening. The owners postponed the launch Friday afternoon citing in a statement a need for "just a few more days to fine-tune the details before opening our doors." A date has not yet been announced.
Opened in 1978 by Jim Smyth, who ran the restaurant until his death in 2017, the business was put into a trust for his widow, Margaret Smyth, until the February closing, a bittersweet farewell to the "Cheers"-style watering hole that served as home base for many locals and visitors alike. The updated vision of the Piccinninis includes new leather banquette seating, accented by the existing forest green trim and accents. The long, mahogany bar has been refurbished and polished, giving the restaurant a shiny, modern finish with a familiar, nostalgic feel.
The Corner will continue to serve fan favorites like the signature burger and fish and chips, alongside a new menu of comfort food including bar snacks like Bavarian pretzels ($18) and crispy chicken wings ($20), shellfish starters including shrimp cocktail ($20), roasted scallops, and mussels ($28) in a garlic butter with chorizo and corn. Kelly Piccinnini described the restaurant as "a gastropub with a costal flair," and to that end, there are soups — a New England clam ($12) and a French onion ($15) — salads including crunchy kale and grilled corn ($12), both of which can be topped with a selection of proteins, and handhelds like a hot lobster roll ($44) and a French dip ($28), mahi mahi tacos, and a chicken sandwich ($21).
On the beverage side, taps will highlight local favorites like Kidd Squid, Springs Brewery and Montauk Brewing Company, plus local wines and a selection of signature cocktails from dirty martinis with blue cheese stuffed olives ($20) to smoked blood orange gimlet made with mezcal ($17).
"To me, it’s truly an honor," John said of taking over the eatery. "It is something that we’re taking seriously and taking to heart and acknowledge the sensitivities of Sag Harbor, maintaining that local affordable place where everyone can go to."
The Corner, 1 Main St., Sag Harbor, 631-769-3535; cornerbarsagharbor.com;
A global freelancer who has checked her suitcase to raise her young daughter on her native Long Island, Marie Elena will always make time for good mezcal, even better tacos and killer conversation. Preferably, in a corner bar seat. She can be found on Instagram at @mariesworldeats.
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