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What is the best way to cap off a day of fun in the sun spent on a pristine white sand beach? How about partying all night bathed by ocean kissed breezes, along a strip of wild and exotic bars and night clubs that runs the length of the beach just a few feet inland? This is summer night life in Long Beach NY, a hidden jewel located on the south shore of Long Island New York.
By day a beach town, Long Beach is dotted with unique shops, boutiques, cafes, galleries, and restaurants serving a variety of fine cuisines. The centerpiece is its famous boardwalk, which runs several miles along Park Ave., the cities traditional commercial center. However as the sun sets and the party begins, the focus turns to the areas West End, a two mile long half mile wide stretch of land bordered by beach on one side and bay on the other. This area has the cities highest concentration of restaurants and cafes, many of which convert after hours into some of the trendiest bars and night clubs in long island. The result of such a concentration of evening entertainment so close to the beach front, is a night time mile long revelry of drink and merriment which can last until the wee hours of the morning.
One of the most well-known hot spots on this strip is Minnesota’s. By day a bar and grille, nighttime sees the transformation of this establishment into a high powered night club with great DJ’s and awesome music. About a block away one can find The Inn. Another restaurant turned bar/club after-hours, the Inn generally offers live music on the weekends, and has a more laid back attitude then the formal feeling Minnesota’s can evoke.
Other places to go after hours in Long Beach include the Twisted Kilt, which is known for its generous drink specials and its eclectic crowd, the Whales tail, which is so popular they often have to open the front of the restaurant to let people spill out onto the sidewalk, and the Tiki Bar, which generally caters to a more mature crowd, and features live music and outdoor grilling.
As the evening ends and the sun begins to rise, there are few sights more inspiring then that of the rosy dawn rising above the waves of the Long Beach shore. As a salty breeze sweeps in off the water, the day begins again, the shops open, the residents emerge from their homes, and the city settles back into its peaceful demeanor. It will be winter soon, and the cabanas and beach bars will close their doors against the harsh cold of winters might. Still, the wild summer nights of long beach are always there, just beyond the sunset, awaiting those who would explore their endless possibilities.
Joey Longbeach is the author of this article, and a resident of Long Island New York. His website, http://hungrymenus.com/longbeach has restaurant information on establishments located in Long Beach NY and surrounding areas. |
