South Beach in the Hamptons
Brian Mazza and Matt Shendell have become the masterminds of nightlife in Southampton. Seven years into the game, they are taking their talents from the legendary club Dune to 256 Elm Street, where they are opening the revamped Southampton Social Club with New York restaurateur Ian Duke. With a 4,000-square-foot backyard, South Beach–style cabanas, and a full dinner menu, the venue will be a one-stop shop for dining and entertainment. The space will host charity events, cocktail parties, live music, and no shortage of beautiful people—which pretty much sums up the Southampton experience overall, doesn’t it?
We sat down with the duo for an exclusive preview.
Your group Paige Management has transitioned from nightclubs to a bit of a different vibe. Can you explain what Southampton Social Club is going to be all about?
Brian Mazza: We’re more about the restaurant arena now. The beauty of Southampton Social Club is that you can hang out without feeling rushed to leave for a nightclub. We’ll have a lounge vibe, more of a laid-back environment.
The space used to be called Madame Tong’s. How is Southampton Social Club going to be different?
Matt Shendell: This will be our seventh summer out here, which is considered a long life span for Hamptons nightlife. Our crowd has evolved to an older, more sophisticated group. Our backyard will have cabanas and daybeds, giving off that South Beach mystique. Madame Tong’s has always been a great property, but it was never used to its full potential.
What kind of food will you offer?
MS: We’re going with what we call an American-Hamptons menu. It will be very appetizer-heavy, because the Hamptons are all about big groups and sharing. We hired a new chef, Scott Kampf, who is fantastic. He will bring a strong flair with summery items, fresh salads, and a lot of fish. None of our food is superheavy, which is essential for our crowd.
What kind of events and parties do you intend to throw?
MS: Dinner on Friday and Saturday nights in the Hamptons is always busy, but we want to provide really cool events during the day, too. One way will be through charity events, which have become a large focus for us. We’ll do brunch, and another huge market will be Sunday nights. A lot of people, like me, prefer to stay in the Hamptons on Sunday night and leave early Monday morning, to avoid traffic. If you don’t want to travel to the Surf Lodge or Sunset Beach, we are going to provide some live reggae music on Sundays. I’m looking forward to that big time. We’ve also spoken to some workout brands that are interested in hosting classes in our backyard. It is all about utilizing the space. The property is too special to restrict its use to just weekends.
What’s your favorite part of Southampton Social Club?
BM: Fresh air. We’re superexcited for the backyard, because Dune was an indoor nightclub.
Southampton Social Club: 256 Elm Street, Southampton, 631.287.1400
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