Dan's Papers - July 25, 2008 - A Tale of Two Montauks & The Surf Lodge

With a verbal slickness that exemplifies The Surf Lodge itself, spokesman Steve Kasuba explained both the popular spot's unannounced early closing last Saturday night/Sunday morning at approximately 1 a.m., and its future plans to comply with whatever the Town of East Hampton requests.

Kasuba explained that the recent problems of parking and reported overcrowding, along with rude service for those waiting for dinner, has all been a product of a level of success beyond their wildest expectations. "All we wanted to create was a dive bar," Kasuba said of the venture that cost its partners approximately $5 million (the amount required to purchase and reopen the former Lakeside Lounge).

Lynn Ryan of East Hampton Supervisor McGintee's office said that the next town public hearing will address the parking situation of the Hamptons' new hot spot, but that due to "due process," no final actions will be taken until after Labor Day, at the earliest. A senior member of the Montauk Chamber of Commerce explained that she believed that The Surf Lodge problem is even worse than that of the former Lakeside Lounge. "When Paul Monte owned Lakeside the cars didn't accumulate until 11 p.m.; now it's crazy in the early afternoon." But the wise in town believe that this red-hot situation of popularity will pass the way it has for so many other first-year establishments.

However, Kasuba promised that The Surf Lodge itself will deal with the situation. He said the owners did not conceive of this kind of success even when they were pitching it all to the media. In fact, he went as far as to say that he and The Surf Lodge welcome proposals to limit parking on Industrial Road, which Ryan said the town was looking into and would discuss at the next town public hearing. "We welcome the changes," said Kasuba. He claimed that that they don't want to become, "a red-velvet-rope nightclub that charges a high cover charge to prevent people from coming," but a clearer explanation of how they plan to accomplish the desired goal is still forthcoming. Another concern of the town is whether the Fire Marshall is keeping track of the number of people allowed in the facility, and the actual number there. Additionally, the overcrowding and popularity has caused some mix-ups at the restaurant in which people promised tables have waited and bought numerous drinks, only to not be seated and then asked to leave when they become upset.

In defense of The Surf Lodge, it isn't the only establishment guilty of such mix-ups, as they are quite common in similar hot spots. And for years Montauk has had a reputation of having a more laidback approach to town rules. To this day, no one even in the town's supervisor's office can explain how alcohol is openly consumed outdoors, on the tables of the picturesque, waterfront restaurant, Duryea's Dock. There is an open-container law on the books, but it does not seem to be enforced. In fact, you are almost encouraged to bring your own to make your so-called "take-out" meal more pleasurable. The town's unofficial response is, "No one complains; it's a quiet part of Montauk."

Joining the many people who were turned away by large bouncers at The Surf Lodge door last Saturday, some of whom had driven to Montauk from as far away as Southampton, I explained that I was there to do research. At first, at 1:15 a.m., they asked me to remove myself from the premises. Then, they finally contacted Kasuba, who explained that it was necessary to change the way things were being done, even from just the week before.

With mega-coverage of this situation reaching Lizzy Grubman proportions, one thing's for sure: The Surf Lodge is the hottest Hamptons "dive bar" serving $11 shots. What's also true is that with its overwhelming success is coming some notoriety. Up until now the press has been mostly good. The owners are at a crossroads where they must act decisively, prudently and quickly before things spin out of control.