Best Bars, Wine Bars & Waterfront Spots in the Hamptons (2026 Guide)
The Hamptons' best drinking spots for 2026 include the Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett, a 250-capacity room that has hosted The Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney, and Wölffer Estate Vineyard in Sagaponack, a 55-acre estate producing wine since 1988. Twelve standout venues span live music, waterfront decks, wine bars, and year-round taverns across the East End.
Planning a night in Amagansett or a sunset in Montauk?
Both villages anchor very different sides of the Hamptons drinking scene, and both have very different real estate markets to match. See what is currently listed in Amagansett or Montauk, or reach out directly for a personal walkthrough of either market.
Key Takeaways
- The Hamptons bar scene spans everything from intimate year-round music venues to seasonal waterfront clubs, with strong options in every village
- Some of the most celebrated spots are seasonal, so timing your visit matters
- The Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett is one of the genuinely great live music venues in America at any size
- Sag Harbor and Wölffer Estate offer the best year-round and vineyard drinking respectively
The drinking scene on the East End is as varied as the Hamptons itself. There are legendary live music bars that have hosted Paul McCartney and Billy Joel in a room the size of your living room. There are seasonal waterfront spots where the whole point is a cocktail in front of a Fort Pond sunset. There are craft distilleries, wine bar institutions, and dive bars that have outlasted every trend that ever blew through the South Fork. Here is a guide to the spots I find myself pointing people toward in 2026, organized by what you are actually in the mood for.
Venue | Village | Type | Signature Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
Stephen Talkhouse | Amagansett | Live music | 250-capacity room, 50+ Rock and Roll Hall of Fame acts |
The Surf Lodge | Montauk | Waterfront | Fort Pond deck, DJ sets, seasonal (late May to early fall) |
Navy Beach | Montauk | Waterfront | 200-foot private beach on Fort Pond Bay, boat-in access |
Bostwick's on the Harbor | East Hampton | Waterfront | Three Mile Harbor view, Peconic oysters, seasonal |
Wölffer Estate Vineyard | Sagaponack | Wine | 55-acre estate, producing wine since 1988 |
Sagaponack Farm Distillery | Sagaponack | Craft spirits | 1930s farmstead, Friday happy hour with live music |
Lulu Kitchen and Bar | Sag Harbor | Wine bar | 240+ labels, Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, year-round |
American Hotel bar | Sag Harbor | Classic bar | Decades-deep wine cellar, year-round |
Rowdy Hall | Amagansett | Pub | Year-round, happy hour Mon to Fri 3 to 6 PM |
75 Main | Southampton | Cocktail bar | Strong sound system, lively evening crowd |
The Beacon | Sag Harbor | Waterfront | Craft cocktails, harbor view |
Southampton Publick House | Southampton | Brewpub | Decorated craft brewery on Jobs Lane |
Source: venue-published hours, capacity, and history as shared by the venues; confirm seasonal operating dates directly before visiting.
For Live Music
The reason world-class musicians play a bar in Amagansett is partly because many of them own homes nearby, and partly because there is nothing quite like playing to 250 faces at close range. It runs year-round with local and national acts most nights, and the staff is as much a part of the institution as the stage. There are three bars in one building: a front room for live music and dancing, an enclosed patio deck, and a tiki bar under the stars.
What to Know About the Talkhouse
- 161 Main Street, Amagansett, year-round
- Live music most nights; national acts on weekends, local bands after 10 PM on weekday nights
- Three bars: front room with stage, enclosed patio deck, and outdoor tiki bar
- Tickets range from $25 to $150 depending on the act, check the calendar before you go
For Waterfront Drinks
The sunsets from the deck face west over Fort Pond and are genuinely special. Come early on summer weekends, as it fills fast.
Navy Beach at 16 Navy Road in Montauk operates on 200 feet of private beach on Fort Pond Bay, on land that was once occupied by the U.S. Navy; the two original Navy piers are still visible in the water. It is a more relaxed waterfront experience than the Surf Lodge, with picnic table seating on the sand, live music, and one of the largest rosé selections on the East End. Seasonal, reopening late spring each year. Boaters can anchor directly in the bay and come ashore.
Waterfront Spots Worth Planning Around
- The Surf Lodge, 183 Edgemere Street, Montauk, seasonal, Fort Pond views, live music and DJs
- Navy Beach, 16 Navy Road, Montauk, seasonal, Fort Pond Bay, 200-foot private beach, strong rosé list
- Bostwick's on the Harbor, 39 Gann Road, East Hampton, seasonal waterfront overlooking Three Mile Harbor, Peconic oysters, casual bar scene
Thinking about a home closer to the water? Explore current exclusive listings across the East End, or see what is available in East Hampton near Three Mile Harbor.
For Wine and Craft Spirits
Sagaponack Farm Distillery at 369 Sagg Road uses estate-grown grains and produce to make its spirits, and the Friday happy hour with live music has become a local institution. The 1930s farmstead setting gives it a character that is hard to replicate.
Lulu Kitchen and Bar at 126 Main Street in Sag Harbor is the most serious wine program on the East End outside of the vineyards themselves: over 240 labels with a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, a Mediterranean menu, and a nightly happy hour from 5 to 6:45 PM. It runs year-round and is one of the places that makes Sag Harbor feel alive in any season.
Wine and Spirits Worth Seeking Out
- Wölffer Estate Vineyard, 139 Sagg Road, Sagaponack, the East End's flagship vineyard, rosé-forward, beautiful grounds
- Sagaponack Farm Distillery, 369 Sagg Road, estate spirits, Friday happy hour with live music
- Lulu Kitchen and Bar, 126 Main Street, Sag Harbor, 240+ wine labels, year-round, nightly happy hour
For a Classic Hamptons Bar Experience
75 Main at 75 Main Street in Southampton is glossier, with a strong cocktail program and a sound system that signals the shift from dinner hour to something livelier. The Beacon in Sag Harbor offers craft cocktails with a waterfront view and serves as a reliable anchor for an evening that begins with drinks.
Year-Round Bar Anchors
- American Hotel bar, Main Street, Sag Harbor, exceptional wine cellar, classic atmosphere
- Rowdy Hall, 177 Main Street, Amagansett, year-round, English pub character, happy hour Mon to Fri 3 to 6 PM
- 75 Main, 75 Main Street, Southampton, cocktails, lively crowd, strong sound system
- The Beacon, Sag Harbor, waterfront, craft cocktails
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Hamptons bars are open year-round?
What is the best bar for a first-time visitor to the Hamptons?
Is there a good craft beer option on the East End?
Meet Your Hamptons Guide
Susan Breitenbach is a Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker with The Corcoran Group, based out of offices in Southampton and Sag Harbor. She has spent over 35 years working the Hamptons market from Westhampton to Montauk and has closed more than $6.4 billion in career sales. Reach out to her directly for local guidance on where to live near the spots on this list.
Related Reading
- Best Hamptons Restaurants to Try This Summer
- Best Happy Hour Destinations in the Hamptons
- Best Country Clubs in the Hamptons
- Best Fine Dining Destinations in the Hamptons
- Top Destinations to Unwind in the Hamptons
- Must-Visit Amenities and Landmarks in the Hamptons
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Source Notes: Venue details (addresses, capacity, hours, awards) reflect information published by each business as of 2026. Seasonal operating dates change year to year; confirm directly with the venue before visiting.
