Toast the Holidays with the East End's Best Cocktails
It’s the holidays—raise a glass!
Earlier this year, Dan’s Papers readers voted in the annual Dan’s Best of the Best for their favorite places to get a cocktail in the Hamptons and on the North Fork. When you make plans to catch up with friends over drinks this holiday break, keep in mind the bars and restaurants that have been recognized for the excellence of their cocktails.
75 Main (75 Main Street, Southampton; 631-283-7575), which features a 360-degree bar, pours the Hamptons’ platinum cocktails. Ask for your favorite mixed drink, masterfully crafted, or pick one of 75 Main’s signature Hamptons-inspired cocktails.
Rumba Island Inspired Cuisine and Rum Bar (43 Canoe Place Road, Hampton Bays; 631-594-3544, rumbarumbar.com) lives up to its name with a bevy of rum cocktails—such as punch, sangria and piña colada— that have earned the gold.
Cowfish (258 East Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays; 631-594-3868, cowfishhamptonbays.com) has a hopping outdoor bar on the Shinnecock Canal that is always hopping during the summer. During the holiday season, the silver best cocktails in the Hamptons are served in the stylish and comfortable upstairs bar at this popular restaurant. Try the Cowfish Mule with Tito’s Vodka, St. Germain, lime and ginger beer, or the Home Wrecker with Finlandia Mango Vodka, cucumber, Canton and house-made sour.
The American Hotel (45 Main St, Sag Harbor; 631-725-3535, theamericanhotel.com) has a six-page-long menu of spirits. If you can imagine it, The American Hotel bartenders can make it. This Sag Harbor Village mainstay was voted bronze.
Touch of Venice (28350 Main Road, Cutchogue; 631-298-5851, touchofvenice.com) is renowned for its food, but this restaurant also has the platinum best cocktails on the North Fork.
The Frisky Oyster (27 Front Street, Greenport; 631-477-4265, thefriskyoyster.com) has a cocktail menu that is sure to pique your interest, from the Absinthe Mojito (aka The Green Fairy) and the Blood Orange Margarita to the Beast of Bourbon and the Beaver Fever with tequila. It’s not wonder The Frisky Oyster earned the gold.
Old Mill Inn (5775 W Mill Road, Mattituck; 631-298-8080, oldmillinnmattituck.com) gleaned the silver award. Dating back to 1821, this restaurant has spent considerable time learning what makes the perfect cocktail.
Modern Snack Bar (628 Main Road, Riverhead; 631-722-3655, modernsnackbar.com) serves a variety of classics, such as the screwdriver, gin & tonic, whiskey sour and old fashioned. This North Fork staple picked up the bronze.