Catch live music at these Long Island beach bars and outdoor venues
Line dancers enjoy the country music of Locmore during Humpday Hoedown at Dublin Deck in Patchogue. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
In the summer, you want to be outside. Whether you are drinking, eating, dancing or just chilling, an outdoor setting is key. Long Island has a wealth of places to experience live music while dining with cocktails.
Here are six locales to put on your seasonal checklist.
DUBLIN DECK
327 River Ave., Patchogue
Deejay Rob James spinning freestyle favorites at the "Freestyle Freakshow" at Dublin Deck last year. Credit: Elizabeth Sagarin
Spend the evening under the palm trees at a tiki bar on the Patchogue River as Dublin Deck ushers in its 29th summer season. Live music occurs all week.
“Each night has its own personality and theme,” co-owner Mark Miller says.
Monday is “Boots, Burgers & Beers” with DJ Casey Wayne who plays live country and spins as $10 burger and fries platters and $5 Kona beers are served. Tuesday focuses on “Tequila & Tacos” including an acoustic jam with Mike Alessi plus $10 taco trios and $6 tequila shots. A Country Family Fair happens on Wednesday with bull riding, axe throwing, line dancing and live country bands. Thursday is ladies night with DJ Kaution. Friday through Sunday features live bands playing covers from the '70s, '80s and '90s until 11 p.m. Sunday features a “Millennial Market” starting at 3 p.m. with 20 vendors selling various nostalgic wares.
Mary McNulty, of West Sayville, center, dances to the country music of Locmore. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
Order up some baked clams ($14), empanadas ($14) or a bang bang shrimp wrap ($22) to go with a melon mule ($16) or the house speciality, a frozen espresso martini ($16).
MORE INFO 631-207-0370, dublindeck.com
THE SUNSET CLUB AT TAPPEN BEACH
494 Prospect Ave., Sea Cliff
Patrons play cornhole at The Sunset Club at Tappen Beach. Credit: Yvonne Albinowski
Head to the North Shore for The Sunset Club at Tappen Beachwhere folks relax by fire pits and under yellow sails on a deck overlooking Hempstead Harbor. Live acoustic music plays every night from 6 to 9 p.m.
“This is a casual, laidback, family-friendly place with a playground right next door,” owner Russ Lundstrum says. “We try to appeal to everybody from 7 to 80 years old.”
Enjoy seaside dining at The Sunset Club. Credit: Yvonne Albinowski
The menu focuses on fresh seafood like raw Pine Island oysters ($3 each) or Prince Edward Island mussels ($20) in a white wine garlic sauce as well as the Tappen steak sandwich ($29) or Mediterranean Grain Bowl ($19) with quinoa, super green blend, cucumber, sun-dried tomatoes, chickpeas, artichoke hearts and Kalamata olives. Kids choices include chicken nuggets with fries ($10), mac and cheese ($10) or a hotdog with fries ($10).
The popular drinks are the slushies ($17) such as Ankers Vodka Pink Lemonade, Pom Margarita and Spiked Orange Creamsicle.
MORE INFO 516-809-8433, thesunsetclub.fun
THE BOAT YARD
1 Ocean Pkwy., Massapequa
The scene at Freestyle Thursdays at the Boat Yard in Tobay Beach. Credit: Linda Rosier
After a day at Tobay Beach, drop by The Boat Yard for dinner, drinks and dancing. Situated along the Great South Bay, this venue, which holds up to 1,000 people, is beach casual and flip-flops are mandatory.
“It’s very nautical,” Miller says. “Almost like you are on the stern of a cruise ship.”
Tuesday is Family Night with bounce houses, face painting, cornhole and kids karaoke starting at 4 p.m. Waterfront Wednesdays sees DJ Frankie J spin for a dance party that starts at 6 p.m. Like freestyle music? Come down on Thursdays for a throwback party with '90s freestyle tracks. Friday, Saturday and Sunday showcases live cover bands like Lovesong (July 25), The 90’s Band (July 31) and O El Amor (Aug. 1) at 7 p.m. (5 p.m. on Sundays)
DJ Tommy Nappy spins Freestyle music at Freestyle Thursdays last year. Credit: Linda Rosier
Kiosks sell personal pizzas ($19-$21), burgers ($19) or check out the Rock ’N’ Roll Nacho Bar ($12) with plenty of toppings (cheese sauce, pickled jalapeños, lettuce, pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole). Enjoy your food with a Rocket Fuel ($16), a frozen piña colada loaded with Amaretto and Captain Morgan floaters.
MORE INFO 516-468-6874, theboatyardny.com
TIKI JOE'S AT CEDAR BEACH
1 Harbor Beach Rd., Mount Sinai
Jonathan Coppola dances as guitarist Paul Callozzo, of The Band Easy Street, performs at Tiki Joe's at Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai. Credit: Jeff Bachner
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the beach bar provides live music Thursday-Sunday from 6 to 9 p.m. with a DJ on Wednesday evenings.
“The atmosphere is very upbeat,” general manager Bridget Alfano says. “We offer a mix of dance, rock and new wave, but no country.”
Upcoming acts include dance bands In the Groove (July 25) and Citi Lites (July 31) plus Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band Freebird (Aug. 1).
Nancy and Steve Busa, of St James, dance to the music of The Band Easy Street. Credit: Jeff Bachner
Dine under a tent on the deck beside Long Island Sound with full wait service where guests can munch on everything from appetizers like crispy cauliflower bites ($19) drizzled in Buffalo sauce with a blue cheese dipping sauce to entrees such as blackened grilled snapper ($36) served with roasted corn and black beans, mango salsa with cajun remoulade over jasmine rice.
Cocktails anyone? Order up the Cannon Ball, a frozen drink with dark rum, Kahlua, creme de cacao and coconut or a Zippy Cooler (Bacardí Limón, club soda, lemonade, cranberry). Prices range from $14-$20.
MORE INFO 631-743-9410, tikijoes.com
SALT SHACK
100 Ocean Pkwy., Babylon
People groove on the dance floor at the Salt Shack in Babylon. Credit: Morgan Campbell
Take your pick — hang out on the beach, the deck or the rooftop bar on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. There's live music from 7-11 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 4-11 p.m. Sunday.
“It’s a lively crowd,” Miller says. “We usually draw people from 30s to 60s and they all come to dance on the beach.”
July showcases cover acts like The Mystic, Pour Some 80s on Me and The Max while August will see sets from Krush, Mean Machine and Stifler’s Mom.
Thomas Cape, Brittany Waite, and Kyle Roach from Mount Sinai, enjoy dinner on the beach at Salt Shack. Credit: Yvonne Albinowski
Fried seafood is on the menu, including clam strips ($15), crispy calamari ($18) and coconut shrimp ($18), plus the BBQ short rib taco ($18) and the chicken avocado wrap ($17).
Must tries from the bar are the frozen Babylon mudslide ($16) and the watermelon cosmo ($16).
Don’t forget to take a selfie in the oversize Adirondack chair out front before you leave.
MORE INFO 631-422-7222, saltshackny.com
THE BUOY BAR
72 Bayside Dr., Point Lookout
Experience beach casual dining and live music at Buoy Bar. Credit: Yvonne Albinowski
Since 1999, the waterside bar has delivered full lunch and dinner service on Reynolds Channel as well as Sunday brunch. Live music occurs Thursday through Sunday and sometimes on Wednesday.
Guests dine at tables under an awning or out on a pier. The menu includes selections such as crab cake and bacon grilled cheese with Old Bay aioli plus fries ($26), replicated from a dish featured on "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives." Other dishes include the Captain’s Mussels, which is sautéed in a lobster cream sauce ($34) and grilled filet mignon sliders ($28).
A waitress carries food to a table at Buoy Bar. Credit: Yvonne Albinowski
Bar selections of note include a coconut margarita and Buoy Tea made with pineapple rum, coconut rum, iced tea and a splash of cranberry juice ($13-$18).
“Kids Fishing Fun” takes place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays where kids can sign up to fish off the dock starting at 6 p.m. ($30 per child, includes use of equipment as well as bait and tackle).
MORE INFO 516-432-3975, buoybarli.com
David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.
