Surf Lodge a Smashing Success

A lot haters tried to throw cold water on the opening weekend of the Surf Lodge, the rehabbed waterfront property in Montauk. But it seems that the opening weekend couldn't have gone any smoother. According to a Surf Lodge insider:

It was so crowded. I don't think montauk has seen so many people before. All elements of the property (the hotel, the deck, the bar, the restaurant) were running at full capacity. The on-site Tracy Feith boutique opens this week. There were many locals, industry types, and celebs in attendance. Many for multiple nights in row. And everybody was raving about Sam talbot's food.

What everybody needs to realize is that this is not a nightclub and to not compare it to those other places. Its a chill spot, open seven days a week. If someone's first thought is "Montauk?" Then its probably not for them.

These pictures sure look like they are telling the truth. Check out that sky behind Julian Marley! Like co-owner Jayma Cardosa said, Montauk is just a bit different, and they don't expect a Dune type scene. Different strokes for different folks. Early congratulations all around.

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Living It Up at Lily Pond

We sent our most trusted correspondent Nicolette from Nicolette and the City out east for the weekend to have a little looksee at some Hamptons night spots. On Saturday night, she checked out Lily Pond and lived to tell the details.


Summer 2008 started off with a wild Saturday night at Lilly Pond. We arrived at 11 and the valet was already full, with a crowd of at least 60 people trying to argue their way into the club. After finally finding parking on some side street, I walked along the side of the road in four inch heels back to the club. When we arrived, there were now about 100 people trying to fight their way in. Great. It was chaotic but about twenty minutes later we finally made it in with a little help from Kristian Laliberte, one of my hosts for the evening.

Once we got in we headed over to the Unruly Heir table, where UH creator Joey Goodwin and Kristian were holding court. They were there celebrating an event they held earlier in the day at Blue and Cream in East Hampton. Hanging next to their table was Whitney from The Hills and there was also a special performance by Estelle (unfortunately sans Kanye West), followed by DJ Berrie, who played mostly house with some random mixes of rock. The place was pretty small and insanely crowded; there were white and navy striped couches that served as bottle service areas in the middle of the “dance floor.” There were also banquettes along the side of the wall that served as posts for bottle service. There was an elevated stage at the back end of the club which had a few tables (ours and Whitney Port’s), which doubled as the stage and DJ booth.

The crowd was all twenty something’s that consisted of trendy Manhattan goers, a few socialites and models – think Tenjune on a Tuesday night except with all house music. There was one bar at the entrance of the club, which was impossible to get to and it took about twenty minutes to get a drink. Bottle service was a little slow here – they could use a little bit more staff, but I forgave them since it was Memorial Day Weekend. By 2:00 a.m. everyone was more than intoxicated and the place started to clear out. Overall, Lilly Pond went beyond my expectations. I didn’t expect this place to be anything great and I didn’t think anyone would show up – let alone Whitney Port (although she isn’t quite A-list) or a performance by Estelle. The party had everything you wanted - great music, booze, hot people, a few “celebrity” sightings and it wasn’t that far from their competition down in Southampton (on the way back we were by Pink Elephant 12 minutes after leaving Lilly Pond). I will definitely be going back.

The Average Cost of a Table

As you and your share house friends prepare for your big weekend night out, we suggest your first check your bank accounts before you agree to go in for a table at one of Suffolk county's summer hot spots. And why is that? Because a table is going to cost you. According to a Little Birdy, "Hamptons folks seem to have colluded to all charge $2k a table at Lily Pond, Pink and Dune....and they're going fast as per a host friend of mine." Of course they are going fast, since people want to lock in at this low price before the summer gang of 3 jacks it to $2500. But imagine how cool you will feel when all of those other losers have to stand all night watching you and your friends sitting at your table. Now you see.

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Love For the Surf Lodge

While the voting is still going on, one new Hamptons spot that didn't make it to the poll is the Surf Lodge in Montauk. The refurbished hotel and restaurant space is a late entry to the game, but whispers from all around are leading many to believe that this could be the place of 2008. And with the all star Cain team, Kamali, and Sam Talbot all lined up behind it, you'd be a fool to bet against them. Just yesterday, Jayma Cardosa let us know her thoughts, saying

I have and will always love entertaining and sharing the joys of life with my friends. One of my secret joys has been my summer retreats to Montauk. It is here that I've found moments of great happiness, peace and enjoyed the simplicity of beach life. It is also in Montauk that I will realize one of my life time dreams of owning a hotel. I hope to see you this summer in a beach town that I hold doubly dear to my heart.

She sure knows how to sell it. So maybe, just maybe, it's location in Montauk is a benefit, making sure those who go the extra mile will be justly rewarded. Only time will tell, but our money is on the Surf Lodge.

Paging La Playa

Our good Tim from the Pink Elephant checks in to clarify the PE crew's summer plans, saying "Pink Elephant will be operating as usual at Capri Hotel. The Tavern space will be now called La Playa. Same owners but unaffiliated with Pink Elephant. Two separate nightclubs with 2 different crowds. Hope this clears up PE’s role out East this summer. Pink @ Capri will be in full effect. Expect to see big things." Well, that's Capri apparently without the outdoor space, but still Capri. This makes our super DBTH Poll a little less accurate, but just a little.

Dune Fridays Kicks Off

Dune kicks off its 2008 season with a big Friday night bash. How big? Well they busted their ad budget with a low budget, mind-numbing flash movie. Just means more profit from those $1500 bottles of Henny.

Lily Pond is for Music Lovers

Memorial Day week! Holy holy holy! Everyone is so excited. Especially one reader who can't wait for Mike Satsky's Lily Pond to open, breathlessly writing that the former Resort's space, "will involve a great A list crowd. With Jonathan Cheban heading the publicity this venue will be on fire. Frequented by socialites and major celebrities each table will be a sight to see. One of the most amazing parts of lilly pond will be the music. Their DJ roster consists of such names as DJ AM, Steve Aoki, DJ Berrie and many many more." Sounds awesome! We may just run and get on the Jitney right effing now. Uh oh - are we allowed to say that? It could be considered trade secrets or something.

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Hamptons are for Partners!

Can you believe it's almost May. It really is so close to summer share season! Yippee! In honor of the traffic on the LIE, we bring you this very special Hamptons report, with a Little Birdy saying:

David Sarner & Bobby Montwaid, the duo behind the Pink Elephant brand, have partnered with nightlife impresarios Pavan & Shaun Rose to take over the Tavern space in Southampton formerly occupied by Stereo. The group will now have control of the space in the Capri Hotel known as Pink Elephant as well as Tavern, consolidating power over two of the only three nightclubs in the Hamptons to one group. The space at the Capri will remain Pink Elephant and plans for Tavern haven't been revealed yet. With everyone from Tenjune, Kiss & Fly, and Greenhouse vying for the space, it will be interesting to see how things develop between now and Memorial Day…

Sure it smells of a press release, but it's so juicy that we don't really give a damn. As for who will get the space, maybe we smell a poll. Hmmm.

The Return of Sunset Beach

It's April 3. All of you must have your Hamptons houses booked for the summer already, right? Of course you do. Wait, what's that? You don't have your Hamptons house booked? Not even a quarter or half share? OMG. What r u going 2 do?

Don't panic. Don't cry. DBTH and AB Hotels have your solution. Sunset Beach is poised to open for the 2008 season. It's like Paradise Hotel 2, but on the beach in Shelter Island. Book all of your weekends now!

The Estate

We don't know how we missed this, but EuEu and BirBir got their little pad in the Hamptons, ingeniously named the Estate, a spiffy little write up in February. Makes sense to us. The 8 bedroom Sag Harbor estate isn't a party house, but a place to relax. And despite operating Tenjune and all that goes along with the EM Group, EuEu explains that they "get to be here all the time." So it makes sense that the authors describe the house as feeling "largely unlived in" and "lots of space waiting to be filled." Because that's what happens when you get Pottery Barn to decorate the whole place for free. Well boys, you know where to send our invitation for the summer.


On a side note. Shame. Shame on all of your faithful readers for not sending this our way last week. It took 10 days for us to see it, and now we seem behind. SHAME.

Hamptons Hamptons Hamptons

Haven't locked up your summer share in the Hamptons yet? Don't sweat it. DBTH has a deal for you. And it's a doozy. For a small fee, you the get the house, the sun, the pool, the people, and the fun. Standard stuff. The real kicker? The party tent. That's right, this share includes a permanent party tent (pictured above). It's the summer share that you never have to leave, skipping the club life for the house club life. Thankfully, our faithful house organizers have included several action shots of last summer's housemates living it up - Acapulco steez.

We highly recommend clicking through to the full flash presentation. Quarter and half shares available, but please act soon.

On the Circuit: White Party

Ok Ok. We know it's Diddy. We know it's coming way way late. We know everyone including the Today show has talked about this. We know. But when a Little Birdy sent us this shot from the White Party, we decided to let it fly. Look at those 3! Get them a TV show or a record deal or something. Our Little Birdy says, "Even though everyone likes to rip on Diddy and the White Party, we had a blast. Great food and drinks, some good looking people, and the production quality for the event was through the roof." So it's a few years past it's prime. Like Tyra says, so what? If people are having fun, who are we to judge?

Dune: White and Rythmless

Let's face facts. Summer is almost over. That means those super fun clubs that have established themselves out east are about to wrap it up. The fun has to end sometime. On that note, let's check in on the share house of summer clubs, Dune. One of our Little Birdy's was in the house this weekend and filed this report.There you have it. Dune, rhythmless and very white. Get there before time runs out!

Make Way for Matt Schendell

Apparently, there is a new kid on the Hamptons power block this summer. A quick follow up from a little birdy, who chirps, "As an avid reader of your blog I decided to act on the opportunity to shed some light on the Dune situation. The owner of Dune is in fact Matt Schendell (Dip, Honey). I can't say exactly how the profits are shared, however Matt is there every night greeting patrons, and because his name isn't as publicized as Noah or Jayma, it has served me better to drop it at the door of the club during peak hours." Great job LB. You combined news with advice. Double Trouble. It's Dunetastic, baby Dunebastic.

Power Share at Dune

By all accounts, the folks behind Dune are having a pretty good summer. The place is filled during the weekends. There haven't been any headline grabbing incidents. Missy Elliot even had her birthday there. But we were wondering, who actually owns/runs the joint? All the usual names have been mentioned. Noah, Jason, Jayma, Opie. Oh, and Paige Restaurant Group. Wait, a minute. Paige Restaurant Group? Who are they? After a bit of snooping, it turns out they own Dip in Murray Hill and Honey on the outskirts of the Meatpacking District. You don't say. Their business cards also list Dune as one of their properties. Classy touch. Anywho, with all the players in the Hamptons for the summer, is it possible that the owners of a fondue spot are actually calling the shots? Perish the thought.

Reduxe: Memorial Day Out East

The big M Day weekend has come and gone. We are still getting our heads around the reports that came in. But if you happened to be in the Hamptons this weekend, it seems the nightlife scene can best be described as shit show. From all accounts, the NYC clubs that have established Eastern outposts were simply not ready for the hordes that descended upon their red velvet ropes. One birdy in the know says, "we heard people with table reservations waited outside Pink Elephant/Tenjune for over an hour because they were not ready at 11:30pm on Saturday night." Sounds like fun. We know it's opening weekend, and only the best doormen on earth could prepare themselves for the attitudes of those who are supposed to be inside and the begging of those who need to be inside, but it's tough to defend service like that.

But that's why we don't go to the Hamptons.

Noah and Jason Head East

Cain's premature exit from the East End left a gaping hole in this summer's Hamptons scene. Luckily for you weekend warriors, Noah Tepperberg and Jason Strauss are there to save the day. Dune, this summer's inhabitant of Jet East, is a Noah and Jason production, which may or may not liven up this summer's social scene. Probably the latter.

Cain Bails on the Hamptons

Next weekend is Memorial Day. That means it's time for the masses to fight traffic and overpay for a small bed in a crowded house in the Hamptons. Nightlife involves really overpaing to get into the summer installations of Manhattan nightclubs. Uh, no thanks. But for those of you who are into that sort of thing, we have some bad news. It looks like Cain is sitting this one out. An ocean loving birdy on his way north for summer checks in, saying "Cain will not open this summer in Southampton as previously planned. There was talks of sharing space with Pink Elephant, but it never happened." Oh well. For those of you who need a non-Manhattan Cain fix, may we suggest their new outpost at the Cove at Atlantis. It just opened last weekend, and from all accounts, is spectacular.