Ladies and gentlemen, start your social engines as the Hamptons season is go! From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the beach towns on the East End of Long Island collectively known as the Hamptons become a magnet for visitors from the city and beyond seeking a slice of that ideal summer vacation.
With so many new restaurants to explore, charity events to attend and hotels to experience – stretching from Hampton Bays, Southampton, Bridgehampton, East Hampton and Montauk – the right guide becomes essential.
THE SOCIAL CIRCUIT
The 25th annual Ann Liguori Foundation Charity Golf Classic at Friar’s Head benefits cancer research and care. 
Liguori, a nationally-renown sports talk show host and author, hosts and organizes the annual charity event at a prestigious Hamptons golf course. Ann’s Sunday morning radio show on WFAN-NY, Talking Golf, will receive a prestigious Gracie award on June 20. Ann is the Global Ambassador for Ibkul Athleisure Apparel. www.annliguori.com
Artacom Summer Art Show at the Southampton Cultural Center from Roger Sichel represents the future of art and technology. Artacom turns a conventional gallery into a digital, interactive display comprising sculpture, live art, performance art, digital and traditional representations of art all in one space. The addition of virtual reality and social events make this a must-experience show, which runs from June 5 through August 28. www.artacom.io
Meet some of the feathered and furry friends being cared for by the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center, and enjoy an evening knowing that your donation makes a difference to the lives of the injured and orphaned wildlife that inhabit this region on Saturday, June 24, at the Sagaponack Sculpture Field. Honorees include James Hunter and Fred W. Thiele Jr. www.wildliferescuecenter.org
Francesco’s Foundation is the newest charity this season, created to tackle the harrowing issue of teenage suicide. The foundation’s inaugural event, in association with AspenOut, will feature an intimate conversation with co-founder and mother Diana Cochran and will be held at her home in Watermill on Saturday, June 24, ahead of a September 16 fundraiser at EHP Resort and Marina. www.francescosfoundation.org
The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation will hold its annual Hamptons Happening event in Bridgehampton on Saturday, July 8. The event features tastings by premiere chefs, live music, and a thrilling live auction, all in support of cancer research. This year’s honorees include Lori and Scott Levine, co-founders of Scott’s Protein Balls; Chef Ralph Scamardella, executive vice president and chief culinary officer, Tao Group Hospitality; Denise Albert, CEO and co-founder, My Cancer Family; and Anna Zuckerman, founder and chief designer, Anna Zuckerman Luxury. The event chair is Mark D. Friedman, along with co-chairs Jamie Koff, Bess Freedman, Bryan Griffin, and Erica Linden-Fineberg. www.waxmancancer.org
The Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation will host its annual Unconditional Love Gala on Saturday, July 22, chaired by philanthropist Jean Shafiroff at the Muses. This year the shelter will honor Jon Ledecky, co-owner of the New York Islanders, and Matt Meeker, co-founder and CEO of BARK. The SASF is an open admission, no-kill shelter that relies on generosity of donors and volunteers to care for homeless animals in the local community with the goal of placing them in loving forever homes. www.southamptonanimalshelter.com
Bradford Rand and his team at RAND Luxury will be hosting their Annual Hamptons Concours event on Saturday, August 5, bringing together classic and contemporary cars with a special emphasis on the Ferrari and celebrating 75 years of Porsche in Bridgehampton. This event will benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Southampton Animal Shelter. www.randluxury.com
NYC Second Chance Rescue will hold on August 8 its second annual Pawparazzi Event hosted by Brandon Colon at the Baker House in East Hampton. The event will feature the world’s No. 1 Lady Gaga impersonator, Athena Reich, 
amongst others to raise funds for animals in need, with music by DIMATTEO. www.nycsecondchancerescue.org
The Diabetes Research Institute Foundation’s annual Hamptons Garden Gala will be Saturday, August 12, at the beautiful home of co-hosts Patricia & Roger Silverstein. Patricia is the one to know this summer and is a life and business coach and founder of Coaching X Humanity. The event will feature a cocktail reception; a delicious, seated dinner; silent and live auctions; entertainment; dancing under the stars; and more. www.DiabetesResearch.org
East Hampton Library Author’s Night is the event for the literary minded. Authors come together Saturday August 12, including debut teenage author, Sol Rivera, with her new book Restrict: A Poetic Narrative, published by Hatherleigh Press. The book is available for pre-order on Amazon. www.authorsnight.org
Doing good this summer is not just limited to the adults – the second annual Kids Cancel Cancer event, organized by the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation, will be held on Tuesday August 15 at The Clubhouse in East Hampton. Funds raised will support pediatric cancer research. www.waxmancancer.org
The Ellen Hermanson Foundation Summer Gala will be held Saturday August 26 at the Bridgehampton Tennis and Surf Club. The core philosophy driving this foundation is that access to health care, and in particular access to state-of-the-art breast health care, is a basic human right. www.ellenhermanson.org
Michael Milken’s Prostate Cancer Foundation will host its annual Hamptons Gala on Saturday August 26 as the social centerpiece of its PCF Pro-Am Tennis Tournament, which is being held over the weekend at private estates in the Hamptons. www.pcf.org
THE ENTERTAINMENT
Centro Italian, Hampton Bays
Enjoy a Hampton Bays staple, Centro Italian owned by Salvatore Biundo, which boasts a prime outdoor dining location from which to see and be seen. New this season, enjoy the cuts of steak added to the menu. “Sunday with Sinatra and Friends,” with live singer Tony Della, is one of the favorites. On Wednesdays, why not learn a new game at Centro’s new Bocce court – the 2023 Bocce League starts soon.
336 West Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays, NY
T: 631.594.5744
Claude’s Restaurant, Southampton
Claude’s Restaurant at the Southampton Inn is kicking off the Hamptons season with a new tavern-style menu from the new chef, plus a selection of grab-and-go options to complement the restaurant’s delectable menu. Claude’s will be open daily for breakfast, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.; lunch from noon to 4 p.m.; weekend brunch, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and dinner Thursday through Monday from 5 to 9 p.m. Enjoying lunch outdoors by the pool or at their patio is a great way to catch up with friends and family and make the most of the summer weather.
91 Hill St., Southampton, NY 11968
T: 631.283.6500
Main Prospect, Southampton
Where can you bring the family any day of the week and find a place where the children can play while parents have dinner and watch stand-up comedy or listen to live music? Main Prospect in Southampton aims to provide just the place – something new is the private club, Nolan’s Room, which is upstairs. Stay tuned for their beach concierge service this summer.
15 Prospect St., Southampton, NY 11968
T: 631.353.3156
Southampton Social Club, Southampton
Owned by Ian Duke and David Hilty, Southampton Social Club sets the standard for a season of dining, drinks and socializing. Enjoy the supper club vibe with an all-new dinner and drinks menu in the lounge from Executive Chef Scott Kampf. In the revamped patio and Cabanas this summer, enjoy a new cocktail program. Live music and DJs perform to create the most blissful summer vibes.
256 Elm St., Southampton, New York
T: 631.287.1400
T-Bar Southampton
Led by Tony Fortuna and Derek Axelrod, the team from T-Bar Steak and Lounge is making its return to Southampton. Like its sister restaurant on East 60th Street in the city, T-Bar Southampton offers guests outstanding cuisine in a casual yet elegant space, and the outdoor terrace and garden make it the quintessential location for evening cocktails on those warm summer evenings. The restaurant will boast an extensive wine list, along with wide selection of cognac, bourbon and single-malt scotch.
268 Elm St., Southampton, NY 11968
T: 631.283.0202
Union Burger Bar, Southampton
Celebrating its fourth year, the casual dining destination restaurant from owner Ian Duke with award-winning Executive Chef Scott Kampf is open year-round and offers a variety of specialty gourmet burgers, fresh hand-cut fries, milkshakes and desserts, along with an elaborate craft beer and small-batch bourbon selection. New this summer is the addition of an outdoor Sushi Bar offering a selection of the finest Asian dishes.
Well-regarded for its fresh Colorado Beef burgers that also are hormone-, antibiotic- and additive-free, the burger bar is dedicated to environmental sustainability and is open for lunch and dinner. The new addition this summer is a private event space.
40 Bowden Square, Southampton NY 11968
T: 631.377.3500
El Turco Hamptons, East Hampton
One of the favorites, join Cagri Kanver and Frank Cilione for a delightful culinary experience with superstar Executive Chef Yılmaz Güney, showcasing the tastes of Turkey, along with an expanded Mediterranean menu featuring a range of the most unique and delectable dishes. New for this season is catering from Chef Meze and delivery services.
44 Three Mile Harbor Road, East Hampton, NY
T: 631.616.8875
WHO TO KNOW
Ken and Maria Fishel have the invite list to be on this summer and will be hosting the Equestrian Sport of Kings at their Bridgehampton Estate on Saturday, July 22 and July 29, in addition to private charity and fashion events, including El Museo and French Heritage. On August 4, Elysian Impact Founder Karen Floyd will introduce Dr. Christina Rahm of DRC Ventures for a special evening at the Estate.
Sara Shala is the founder and CEO of a jewelry company that has been featured in Vogue, L’Officiel, Harper’s Bazaar, Grazia, InStyle, Nylon, and Nasdaq, among other publications, and she creates jewelry that captures the essence of what it is to be a true New Yorker. Her work is the epitome of exquisite elegance and is designed to be passed down for generations, with each piece symbolizing timeless femininity and grace. www.sarashala.com
Elton Ilirjani is the philanthropist changemaker seeking to improve inclusion and diversity in the workplace and pioneering the first-of-its-kind LGBTQIA+ Employment Equality Index, which has awarded companies in conjunction with the United Nations internationally. His newest initiative focuses on the importance of genderless modeling in the fashion Industry. www.theheadhunter.com
Soren White, MD, is the expert in New York dermatology whose natural style has won him a following as the under-the-radar doctor to know. An internationally recognized expert in non-invasive, state-of-the-art skin rejuvenation, when not in his Manhattan, Aspen or Greenwich offices, you can find him in the Hamptons this summer. www.sorenmwhitemd.com
THE ESSENTIALS
Beachampton – The Beach Concierge App
Beachampton is a new cellphone app from Binh Douglas and Dylan Gaches that offers unique beach packages including umbrellas, chairs, towels, beach blankets, a Bluetooth speaker and café table. Package add-ons include lunch options, Yeti’s of ice, beverages, Jenga, Connect 4, spikeball, cornhole, surfboards, paddleboards and even your own personal lifeguard! Your five-hour experience begins with free parking at Main Prospect, located at 15 Prospect Street in Southampton. From there you’ll be shuttled to one of five Southampton beaches. You can even arrange car detailing while catching some rays. www.beachampton.net
Mariebelle Chocolates – The Perfect Hosting Gift
Woman-owned MarieBelle New York is a world-renowned luxury chocolate company. The fine art edibles are hand-made at their factory in Brooklyn, with retail locations throughout New York City and Japan. The flagship store in New York’s famous Soho District offers chocolate lovers a sumptuous shopping experience. Whether it is the signature artisanal ganache, lavish truffles and bars, or the incomparable Aztec hot chocolate (one of Oprah’s Favorite Things), the name MarieBelle is synonymous with everything that is refined, beautifully designed and decadent. www.mariebelle.com
Chef Meze – The Caterer
New this Summer, the delightful culinary experience owned by Cagri Kanver with Chef Yilmaz Güney comes to the rescue to help elevate your garden parties. Chef Meze offers a selection of menus for any type of event and white-glove service. www.chefmeze.com
The Charisma Factor – Summer Reading
Between all the hot happenings it will be nice to relax with some beach reading in the Hamptons. This summer, embrace your individuality, discover your authenticity, and empower yourself like never before with The Charisma Factor: Unlock the Secrets of Magnetic Charm and Personal Influence in Your Life, the latest book from actress, philanthropist and author Leesa Rowland. The Charisma Factor is a follow-up to Leesa’s best-selling self-help/motivational book Discovering the It Factor within You: Developing Your Charismatic Personality. The Charisma Factor is available now in stores nationwide and from www.amazon.com.