Town poised to buy, close Neptune Beach Club

Southampton has a $3.2 million signed contract to buy a popular Dune Road dance club that for years has been like a jellyfish in the bathing suit of its neighbors and town police.

The Neptune Beach Club and 3 acres it occupies in East Quogue would be purchased by the town's Community Preservation Fund, shutting down the club, which has operated there since 1989, if approved by the town board.

"This would make me extremely happy," said Robin Eshaghpour, 45, whose family owns a house nearby and noted the club sits next to Tiana Beach. "I don't believe this belongs anywhere near a family beach."

The land in East Quogue sits among "shimmering waters, expansive salt hay meadows and pristine maritime dunes," according to the town's resolution justifying the purchase.

But while the town might be buying the property for its natural beauty, residents have long lodged complaints about loud dance music on summer weekends and a parade of patrons walking to and from the Tiana Beach parking lot. Over the years, town police have made up to a dozen drug arrests at a time at the club, which is owned by Neptune Beach Club Inc.

Three workers of the club who attended Tuesday's meeting declined to comment. Neptune representatives did not return calls for comment.

Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst, who has supported the purchase, said Tuesday that she would hold the public comment period open until the board's next meeting on Nov. 12 to get more community input.

Eshaghpour described the clientele as "Jersey Shore reality show -- not to offend anyone in Jersey. The music is loud. There's lots of drinking," he added. "A lot of trespassing. There's urinating in the street, urinating on private property. It sucks up all of the police resources."

Evonne Curran, of Hampton Bays, said a community center next door can't be open on Saturdays in the summer because of the parties held there.

"It tends to be a crazy place," Curran said.