RH Guide to the Hamptons Tribes
Whether you’re a generational Hamptons family, you rent, or you’re squatting with friends, there is no denying that the Hamptons is a special place. But if you are truly looking to find your tribe ‘out east’ we are here to help. Starting from West to East this is the cheeky Hamptons breakdown by town according to the RH Team.
Southampton
See how we didn’t begin with Westhampton? That is because unless you live in Westhampton, no one else considers it a part of ‘The Hamptons’, with most people drawing the line at the canal which separates Southampton from “up island”. Southampton is home to some of America’s oldest families, as long as you are south of the highway (i.e. in the Estate section or within the village). Days begin with a Sant Ambroeus iced coffee by the pool in your tennis whites before you cruise off to the Meadow Club or Southampton Bath and Tennis for a match with your family friends who have their own quirky little secrets. Afterwards, you head back to the beach club for a South Side and dip in the ocean before returning to your compound for a fresh local dinner prepared for you by someone else. The topic of conversation undoubtedly always returns back to the day’s gossip, the who we saw and more importantly, who we didn’t see. PS: If you bump into the cast of Summer House, you are in the wrong place.
Water Mill
Without much of a town, the real scene takes place in the private properties that expand as you enter Water Mill with lavish estates such as Villa Maria. Speaking of, who actually owns Villa Maria now that Vince Camuto sold it for $49m in 2018? And how could we forget those #revolvearoundtheworld after parties?! Kim Kardashian in denim thigh high boots in August… iconically tragic. More importantly, Water Mill is home to four key Hamptons staples; The Parrish Art Museum, SoulCycle outdoors, Suki Zuki, and Hampton Coffee Company. If you eat at Suki Zuki make sure to try their chicken teriyaki salad, you won’t be disappointed and the fish tacos at Hampton Coffee Company are legendary.
Bridgehampton
Bridgehampton is the center of the Hamptons making it the ideal launch pad to any of the other Hampton’s towns as it is equidistant from Southampton, East Hampton and Sag Harbor. Home to the Hampton Classic, Hamptons Polo, and delicious restaurants, this lowkey yet fabulous town feels slightly underrated and the Bridgehamptoners like it that way. With homes as equally pretty as the women who keep them, it’s a no brainer that the lawns and garden are equally coiffed. But in a town where secrets are spilt by a perfectly maintained salt water pool, those tending to the roses may just be the Hampton’s best secret keepers. Just ask Unlimited Earth’s Frederico Azevedo, whose locked lips and impressive roster of clients make him one of the society’s key players. If you’re looking to pick up a little news outside of your home, a bevy of great spots like Almond are just a quick ride away. Ignore the main street’s quiet facade however, because while you’re fighting for a table, you will likely bump into Travis Scott eating a lobster roll at Topping Rose or Gwyneth Paltrow not eating a thing at Pierre’s.
Sag Harbor
If you have a boat or want to get on a boat, Sag Harbor is the place to be. Right on the water, Sag Harbor is home to the Yacht Clubs of the Hamptons, and the infamously overpriced and notoriously difficult to get into Le Bilboquet restaurant. Don’t worry, if you can’t secure a reservation there, Donna Karen’s Tutto Il Giorno and The Beacon is just a short walk away, or you can grab pizza and return to your boat for a sunset meal on the water away from the crowds. Not to miss, is our favorite main street shop Matriark which has something for the hot yoga loving mothers and their IT girl daughters. Looking to meet locals? Stay out late enough and stumble into Murf’s; IYKYK. But, really the thing we love most about Sag Harbor is that it is the launch pad to get to Shelter Island where we enjoy Sunday evenings at Sunset Beach with an energetic European crowd.
Wainscott / Sagaponack
According to Business Insider, zip code 11962 has continued to top the list of most expensive zip codes in the United States, with the median home sale price of $8.5M in 2015. We can guarantee you that number has skyrocketed during the pandemic. With the infamous Georgica Association nestled in this area, this is where the rich and famous come to hideaway. Robert Dinero, Jimmy Fallon, Revlon CEO Ron Pearlman, and many others. Of course, it conveniently has a private airport as well, making it perfect for the uber wealthy looking to bypass the traffic out from NYC. You’d never know it of course, as the Wainscott flock pride themselves on looking disheveled in their beat up cars and washed out baseball hats (It’s a WASP thing). Careful when driving around this neighborhood though, lots of bikers - and if you hit one, they will likely be a retired art dealer riding their beach cruiser to their weekly gentleman’s gathering on the tennis courts under the windmill in the Georgica Association.
East Hampton
Where the rich, famous, and hopefuls go to see and be seen. East Hampton town is the Rodeo Drive of the Hamptons. If you need a new Gucci dress to match the Rolex you just purchased, that conveniently compliments your weekend Lamborghini, this is the town for you. After an exhausting day shopping with a quick lunch break at CittaNuova for a fresh brickoven pizza and a scoop of gelato, the social scene can be found chatting away with their frenemies at Nick & Toni’s about the new “renters”. Most of these young renters however will be holed up at Babette’s nursing a hangover with a bloody mary. East Hampton is also home to the iconic Maidstone Club which remains the most prestigious social club in the Hamptons, dating back to 1891. With doors shut so tight and a waiting list that surpasses generations —this may be the most exclusive social flock in the Hamptons, and maybe even the East Coast.
Amagansett
Not much to see here unless you are lucky enough to get into Stephan Talk House, or ‘Talkhouse’ as the locals call it, which is the iconic bar and premiere music venue in the Hamptons. The family-owned establishment also just launched a dangerously delicious hard seltzer, Talkhouse Encore. One moment you are throwing back drinks and the next Bon Jovi is up on stage rocking your world. Aside from Talkhouse, this is the town that has the most Airbnb’s and the prices are a bit easier to swallow, especially for 20/30 somethings who didn’t luck out being born into a family with a Hamptons home. With all the short term rentals, Amagansett is the share house capital, with Montauk, the mecca of Hot Girl Summer, only being a short drive away. Beware of overly excited police officers who feed on buzzed drivers going to and fro.
Montauk
Oh Montauk, how we love and loathe you. The last stop on the impossibly packed LIRR train, and the very end of a tiny 2 lane highway, this destination is a commitment. But, if you’re looking to bump into your favorite Bachelor cast members or that Instagram influencer you can’t help but live vicariously through, or Dave Portnoy, this is your town! Seriously, with an abundance of outdoor hang outs like Gurneys, Ruschmeyer's, Bounce, Navy Beach, the Crow’s Nest, and last but never least, The Surf Lodge, Montauk is where the party never ends, and Hot Girl Summer thrives. We hear the real party however is with the drunken old fisherman who hang out at the local spots like Liar's Saloon. Here’s a tip from us if you’re set on driving to Montauk: Take old Montauk Highway if you want a better view of the ocean and fun rolling hills.
