As Long Islanders, we often search for places to visit during the summertime that encompasses a scenic ride and an Eastern destination. We typically head to the beaches, but the weather here on the island has been off to a fluctuating start giving us some days that are just too cool or rainy for a beach day. What else can we do?
Many locals don’t realize the incredible charm of Sag Harbor. Everyone heads to The Hamptons, and Sag Harbor is a neglected harbor town on the east end with a rich history. After a devastating fire in 2016, the Sag Harbor Cinema has risen from the ashes and has opened to visitors with a whole new look. It’s the ideal location we can visit on a cool or rainy summer day, and it has a whole new look in the heart of one of the most quaint towns on Long Island. The new theater features three state-of-the-art screens with upgraded digital projection and an impressive sound system. Our favorite new addition to the theater is its adorable café and lounge, making the cinema feel much more modern and hip. This new cinema screened animated, live-action, and documentary short films. This spot is a super-cool destination for many of us looking for an out of the extraordinary weekend experience. After an evening at the cinema, it’s a must to walk the town and head down to the harbor to view all the impressive boats.
One exceptional amenity the cinema offers, which would be fun for a small group of friends, is a “pod screening.” These screenings are in a private room where you can reserve the entire venue for the exclusive use of your pod for up to 10 people and screen any of the cinema’s film programs. We thought it was a reasonable and extraordinarily different activity for locals for just $150, not bad for an afternoon or evening out.
After a fire ripped through the Sag Harbor village five years ago, we all felt such sadness at the disappearance of such a historic spot. The reconstruction of the landmark Sag Harbor Cinema has breathed new life into the town. Even as the smoke rose from the ruins, we all knew this cinema would be resurrected into a spectacular spot for Long Islanders to visit, and it did not disappoint.