NASSAU
Black & Blue
(631) 385-9255, Huntington
blackandbluehuntington.com
Concealed off of the main strip in Huntington, Black & Blue is the ideal venue to unwind and enjoy the scene. Grab your coworkers and enjoy half priced drinks and $5 bar menu items Monday through Friday from 4-7pm. Sip on selections from a delicious drink menu while taking in the live, varied music performances that appear Wednesday through Saturday evenings. Black & Blue takes pride in their cocktails. Homemade pineapple-infused vodka sits on the bar waiting to be poured into a cold martini glass, splashed with pineapple juice and garnished with a freshly cut slice of pineapple. Whether sharing or sampling your own meal, items for the table are hard to deny. Mainly sweet with a hint of spice, the signature Thai calamari is loaded with scallions, cilantro and chopped peanuts. An enormous gorgonzola fondue is surrounded by tasty black angus filet tips and flavorful caramelized onion focaccia bread morsels to soak up the warm cheese. But back to the drinks. The Jasmine Teani is a blend of Absolut Pears, fresh lemon, lime juice and jasmine tea-infused simple syrup. A twist on a classic drink, the B & B Lemon Drop is a mixture of Absolut Citron, lemonade and Limoncello (for an extra kick) served in a sugar-rimmed glass. Spice up the workweek with a night of live music, delicious cocktails and fantastic friends.
SUFFOLK
Tide Runners
(631) 728-7373, Hampton Bays
tiderunners.com
Summer is officially here. On Long Island, the season often brings terrible traffic and lines, but it also delivers good times. On your way out east, make a pit stop at Tide Runners in Hampton Bays and breathe in the fresh salty air while throwing back a few cold Coronas. Happy Hour is always stirring on the waterfront deck with live music to jumpstart the weekend. Mingle while watching the sublime sunset and steady parade of boats through Shinnecock Canal. Cool your first sun-kissed tan of the season with a cocktail and munch on Tide Runners’ famous lobster specials. The crowds pile in by boat and car to devour the already too short summer season.
NYC
Beauty & Essex
(212) 614-0146, NYC
beautyandessex.com
Step back into old world elegance of the Prohibition era. Beauty & Essex, located on the Lower East Side of Manhattan is, quite literally, a hidden treasure. Guests arrive through a Prohibition-style pawn shop. Past the gatekeeper, a monstrous twisted staircase swirls around a giant chandelier dripping with pearls. Inside, music beats, snazzy men and lithe, beautiful women conquer both bars at this two-level venue. Tickle your taste buds while dining in the famous “locket room” with walls draped in vintage lockets. Sister to The Stanton Social, this LES scene shares its sibling’s innovative twist on small plates. Served in bulky spoons, crispy grilled cheese dumplings float in hot tomato soup sprinkled with smoked bacon. Another exquisite tiny dish, the tomato tartare rests on a crispy Parmesan crostino, with a sunny-side-up quail egg on top. Sip on unique cocktails, including the Woodford Wilson: A concoction of bourbon, pineapple, lime, ginger beer and brandied vanilla cherry. For a lighter option, the Beauty Elixir is a mix of gin, cucumber, strawberry and sparkling rosé. The night does not end early here. Head back to the bar and order another round—a dancing session is in order. After all, Beauty & Essex is the place to see and be seen. You never know which Page 6 face you’ll be caught bumping into.
Photo of Beauty & Essex by Melissa Hom