That giant sucking sound is the summer migration of Montauk hipsters from Surf Lodge to Sole East. It's the war of the season and currently, we hate to admit, Sole East is winning. Located just up the pond from Montauk Village, this Tudor-turned-surf zen motel infuses a sexy resort space with heated pool and outdoor bar offering an all-day lounge scene not confined to a dinghy deck with year-old wicker furniture that probably should have been covered or taken indoors for the winter (hint: Surf Lodge).
Daytime visitors arrive to a beach club-style tanning scene that sprawls around the main pool with its Balinese loungers and rattan club chairs privy to 3pm dances by girls in tankinis. Inside, a serene all-white Backyard restaurant offers a menu of healthy organic minded specialties as well as a separate bar for those that wish to ingest their calories purely through liquor. By night the space morphs into a hip drinking lounge and supper club with NYC-imported DJs spinning house and rock anthems till 3am.
Tips
Saturdays are busier than Sundays, so arrive before 11am to scout out the best loungers as well as avoid the doorman that shows up around 1pm and usually requires a hefty tip.
Last Word
Sole East offers all-day bar and pool lounge for visitors and hotel guests off a picturesque stretch of Montauk Highway.
