3 Best Bars in Long Island, New York

You can hear live rock, jazz, and blues music, including many well-known acts, nearly every summer night and most off-season weekend nights at the Stephen Talkhouse. Paul McCartney, Jimmy Buffett, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, and Jon Bon Jovi have played there either spontaneously or for charities. With two bars, a small stage, and a dance floor, it's usually a laid-back scene, but the place can get packed on weekends. Open mike nights and karaoke allow everyone a share of the spotlight on designated nights. Cover charges start at around $25. Sign up for their email list for promotions and free tickets for some shows. Doors open one hour before showtime, usually around 6 or 7; arrive early for the best spot.

Live music, DJs, theme nights, and drink specials keep this longtime outdoor hotspot, about 8 miles west of Southampton, going all afternoon into the night Thursday–Sunday during the summer. A $10 cover is charged. The on-site restaurant, Shuckers Lobster Bar (dinner Friday, lunch and dinner weekends), offers a lobster feast, quick bites, salads, and a kids menu.

On scenic Lake Montauk this place is part bar/lounge, part restaurant, part hotel, but the real draws are the young, hipster vibe and über-cool indie bands that play here. The cocktails, like Brazilian-style capirinha and ginger-mint lemonade, are pricey but delicious. Get here early, especially when a popular band is playing; the place packs out to capacity, and you could get turned away. If you want to guarantee your spot, you can reserve table service for a minumum of $1,000 for 6 people or $1,800 for a group of 8; if you stand in line, the price is considerably less (ticket prices vary per event).