Cristen, Motty, co-creator of the Off Hampton Film Festival and co-owner of Hampton Photo Arts & Framing, lets us in on her favorite hangouts, hidden gallery gems, and where to find (or not find) a proper Bloody Mary.

Seafood Spirit

Hampton Bays and Montauk retain that fishing community spirit that every other place has lost here. Growing up, there used to be four bait and tackle places in Southampton. My family came from Brooklyn originally, and my grandfather got the house we're living in now. When he came out here, it was just a country house and all he wanted was to clam, crab, and fish.

A lot of that is lost out here now, but Hampton Bays and Montauk have maintained it. There's still Tight Lines in Hampton Bays, a bait and tackle place. And Shinnecock Hardware on County Road 39 still sells bait. It's this cool local thing from my childhood. Thank God you can still do it.

The Restaurant Experience

As for Sunday’s, it’s a bar and restaurant in Hampton Bays. What's cool about going there is it's right on the water — you can see the big clamming and fishing boats come in.

It also has a really great dock area where you can rent jet skis.

They do a twin lobster thing that's really awesome, too — a special during the week. Twin lobsters, you get two lobsters on a plate. That's what we do.

We love the shrimp cocktails there, as well. 

Inside Tip 🪄

And if you're a Bloody Mary person, that's the move. It's like an appetizer and a drink in one — you get shrimp, bacon, everything in it. It's a whole experience. 

Plus, you get to sit outside and chill. It's awesome.

Contact

🌐Sundays on the Bay

About

Cristen Motty and Ben McHugh co-own Hampton Photo Arts & Framing, the artist-centric framing, printing, and archival center that's served the East End's creative community since 1989. Cristen and Ben run the Southampton shop as fellow artists who've exhibited in local galleries, participated in art collectives, and co-created the Off Hampton Film Festival.

Lead-in Image

Sunday's on the Bay Restaurant / Facebook