BoFI Blog

Pines Party: The History Behind One of Fire Island's Most Anticipated Weekends

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 16:08:30 GMT

Every summer, Fire Island Pines hosts Pines Party. A three-day charitable event on the beach that brings thousands of people to the island for one of the most concentrated weekends of the season. Now in its 27th year, the event has raised over $4.8 million for its beneficiaries. In 2026, it runs July 31 through August 2, under the theme Altar Ego.

For many people, Pines Party is a weekend on their calendar. For the Pines community, it is something that goes back further than 1999, rooted in a moment when the community had to decide what it was going to do about the worst crisis it had ever faced. That story is worth knowing before you arrive.

Before the Party: Beach '79 and the Morning Party

The story of Pines Party starts twenty years before the first one.

In 1979, a community fundraiser called Beach '79 brought roughly 4,000 people to the shores of Fire Island Pines. Andy Warhol was there. The Village People were there as guests. Farrah Fawcett was there. France Joli performed at age 16, stepping in as a last-minute replacement for Donna Summer. The event raised enough money to purchase a truck for the Pines Fire Department, and it established something important: the community already knew how to come together around a beach, a cause, and a shared sense of occasion.

Four years later, the AIDS crisis had begun tearing through the Pines. In 1983, a group of residents decided to respond the way Fire Island Pines knows how. Burt Charmatz, Nikki Fried, Jerry Bovenschen, Steven Schneider, and Doris Taussig organized a morning party, an afterparty in the old Pines tradition, at Frank McDermott's house on Ocean and Driftwood Walk. Admission was $10, kept low deliberately, so the party would be accessible to everyone. Just over 100 people came. They raised $4,000 for Gay Men's Health Crisis.

They started planning for the next year. And the year after that. The party grew each year, moved locations, eventually grew too large for any single home. In 1991, GMHC moved the Morning Party to the beach itself, where 3,500 people gathered between Beach Hill Walk and Coast Guard Walk. By the final year of GMHC's involvement, the Morning Party raised $464,000 in a single weekend.

The community had built something that mattered, and the Pines had become inseparable from it. That is the context the rest of this story requires. For more on what the Pines means to its community, read Belonging by the Water .

The Founding of Pines Party

After GMHC ended its sponsorship in 1998, the Pines Party weekend did not disappear. The week had become the most prized rental period of the summer. The community had no intention of letting that energy go. In 1999, a small group of Pines residents gathered in a New York City apartment to address the void the Morning Party had left.

The apartment, it turned out, was owned by Andrew Holleran, author of "Dancer from the Dance," the novel widely credited with mythologizing the queer experience in Fire Island Pines. Vinnie Petrarca, who was in the room, noted the irony. The founding had come home to one of its own source texts.

The group wanted something different from the Morning Party: a night event, not a morning one. The first year was called "Pines 99," a nod to Beach '79. The theme was Arabian Nights. Tents were brought onto the beach. The gambling tent returned. Singer Kristine W performed. DJs Warren Gluck and Monty Q ran the music. Event producers Mitchell Greenberg and Billy Carroll, and Host Committee Chair Richard Winger, built the production from the ground up.

It ran from 10 PM to sunrise. The first Pines Party raised half a million dollars for the Harbor Millennium project and the Stonewall Community Foundation.

What the first year proved was not just that the model worked. It proved that the community was still there, still willing to build something together, and still committed to doing it in the Pines.

The Themes

One of the things that distinguishes Pines Party from the Morning Party before it is the theme. Every year, the beach transforms into a different world. Arabian Nights in 1999. Time Machine in 2018. Island of Lost Boys in 2019. Through The Looking Glass in 2020, the announced theme for an edition that was cancelled due to COVID-19. Return to Wonderland in 2021. Galactic Rodeo in 2024, the 25th anniversary edition. Dreamscape in 2025. And for 2026: Altar Ego.

The themes are not the point. They are the signal that the community keeps choosing to renew the event, to approach it as a shared creative act rather than a recurring obligation. Each year, a new invitation goes out. The fundraising mission stays the same. The beneficiaries stay largely the same. What changes is the lens through which the community decides to see itself that particular summer.

Over 27 years, that pattern has become one of the things people plan around.

2026: Altar Ego

The 2026 theme is not a costume prompt. It is a frame for something more specific.

Altar Ego, spelled with an altar not an alter, is deliberate. The official description frames the beach as a temple and the music as a ritual. The invitation is not to dress as someone else. It is to arrive as the version of yourself that already exists but rarely gets the conditions it needs to surface. A creature, a legend, a god or something that does not have a clean name. The myth that lives underneath the everyday self.

What the theme establishes is a ceremonial logic. The beach becomes a threshold. The music is not background. It is the mechanism of the ritual. The transformation is not private or introspective. It is collective, visible, and amplified by the fact that everyone around you is doing the same thing at the same time.

That is what Pines Party has always been, in one form or another. The theme changes each year, but the underlying act stays the same: a community comes to the beach and, for one weekend, becomes something together that none of its members could become alone.

Altar Ego just names it more precisely than most themes have.

The Fundraising and What It Has Built

Since 1999, Pines Party has raised over $4.8 million for its beneficiaries. That number covers 27 years of editions, including the scaled-back 2020 pandemic year, the return in 2021, and the 25th anniversary in 2024.

The money goes to three organizations. The Stonewall Community Foundation, which has received over $1.5 million from Pines Party across the event's history, funds grants and leadership programs for LGBTQ+ nonprofits across New York. The Pines Foundation supports the preservation and cultural life of Fire Island Pines itself, including Whyte Hall Community Center. The Seashore Defense Fund protects the beaches, including underwriting portions of dune fencing and post-event restoration.

In 2021, Pines Party proceeds helped fund Trailblazers Park, a permanent installation dedicated to inclusion, built for future generations and honoring those who fought for equality in the Pines and beyond.

The party raises money for the place it loves. That is a different relationship than a commercial event has to its venue, and it is part of why the week carries the weight it does.

Pines Party Week in the Pines, and a Path Forward

The Morning Party weekend became the most prized rental week of the Pines summer long before 1999. Pines Party inherited that status and has held it for 27 years. A group that understands what the week actually is arrives differently than one that booked the dates because they were available. If you want more on how to think about which week fits your group's trip, Choosing Your Week is the right place to start.

If Pines Party 2026 is already on your calendar, here are the homes available on the BēKin platform for that weekend.

How a Fire Island Pines Week Actually Comes Together

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:21:23 GMT

Most groups planning a Fire Island Pines vacation rental approach the trip the same way: choose the location, pick the home, book the week. By the time they board the ferry, the hard part feels done.

What almost no group plans is the week itself. The Pines is not a resort. It does not organize itself around you. It holds a specific rhythm: Tea Dance, the harbor, afternoons that move between the house and the world outside it. A group that understands that rhythm before they arrive gets a fundamentally different week than one that figures it out by Wednesday. Choosing the right week to go is one piece of that. But the week-building question goes deeper than timing. It starts with choosing a home built for the way your group actually travels.

When the House Is Part of the Plan

Some groups come to the Pines to be in the middle of it. Tea Dance is not optional for them. The harbor is where the evenings happen. The house is where the group returns to, not where it stays. That group does not need the quietest home on the island. It needs one with the outdoor infrastructure to hold the action when the group brings it back.

That means a pool and hot tub that get used every day, multiple outdoor levels so eight people can spread across the property without crowding each other, and a harbor close enough to walk to without planning for it. A fireplace for the nights that go long. A rooftop for the ones that go later.

For a group like this, the week either happens at the home or it does not happen at all. The home is not ancillary. It is the plan.

If that sounds like the right shape for your group, our concierge can confirm it fits your specific dates.

The Social-First Week · 4BR/4.5BA · Sleeps 8 · 8-min to harbor

588 Seaview Walk

Four bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, sleeps eight. Heated pool and hot tub in the yard. Three outdoor levels including a rooftop lounge. Fireplace. Eight minutes to the harbor on foot. Open from Memorial Day through late September, including Dance Festival and Pines Party weeks.

When the Point Is to Step Back

Other groups come to the Pines to step back from it. Not away from the island, but away from the obligation to be in the middle of it every day. They want the harbor accessible but not inescapable. They want the week to happen inside the property as much as outside it.

The East End of the Pines works differently from the harbor-adjacent parts of the island for exactly this reason, which is worth understanding before you choose a location at all . On the East End, a group can live inside a property for a week without the harbor becoming the default gravity of every afternoon. The outdoor zones are the destination. The property creates the shape of the day, and the Pines is there when the group decides it wants it.

That is a different week than the one most people imagine when they first search for a Fire Island home. For the right group, it is a better one.

If this sounds like your group's week, our concierge can help confirm the fit before you commit.

The Retreat Week · 5BR/5.5BA · Sleeps 10 · 15-min to harbor

436 Ocean Walk

Oceanfront compound on the East End of Fire Island Pines, behind a large dune. Five bedrooms, each with an ensuite bathroom, five king beds. Heated pool, hot tub, and separate outdoor entertaining zones on mahogany decking. Upstairs: living and dining area with 10-foot ceilings and walls of glass facing the ocean. A 36-inch Bosch gas range, double refrigerators, two Miele dishwashers, built-in bar with wine fridge. The harbor is a 15-minute walk when the group is ready for it. Available weeks include NYC Pride, mid-July, late July, Labor Day, and multiple September dates.

When the Group Is Not One Thing

Most groups are not one thing. Someone wants Tea Dance by four. Someone wants the pool all afternoon. Someone wants to cook dinner at the house. Someone wants to be out by ten. A home built for range does not force a vote every time the group has different ideas about what comes next. It holds all of them without anyone feeling like they negotiated their way through the week.

The physical version of range is a layout with two distinct zones, a harbor close enough to walk to without committing to it, and enough outdoor depth that subsets of the group can move independently without fragmenting the week. The emotional version is a home that functions as a base as much as a destination. When a home has that, the best moments of the trip happen there without anyone having to plan for them.

A home that works for every person in the group is not a compromise. It is the most deliberate choice a group can make.

Our concierge can confirm whether this home fits the way your group moves through a week.

The Range Week · 4BR/4.5BA · Sleeps 8 · 3-min to harbor

11 Ocean Walk

Newly remodeled. Four bedrooms, each with an ensuite bathroom. Three queen beds and one room configurable as two twins or one king. Upper level: fully equipped kitchen, dining area, and living room with walls of glass. Heated pool, hot tub, and a rooftop deck with ocean and bay views. Steps from the beach. Three minutes to the harbor on foot. NYC Pride is available June 25 through July 1, six nights, Thursday arrival and Wednesday departure. July 23 through 30 is also open.

What You Cannot See From the Listing Page

Three weeks. Three homes built for each one. The difference between them is not the amenity list or the bedroom count. It is how each home holds a specific kind of group across a specific kind of week, and that is the layer that almost no listing page documents.

BēKin has placed groups in these homes and knows which ones hold a social group across a full week without running out. Which ones give a group the quiet they came for without isolating them from the Pines. Which ones work when eight people want different things at the same time and none of them should have to negotiate. The home selection criteria behind that argument are laid out in What Makes a Stay Feel Seamless? , the layer below week structure that shapes how a stay actually holds.

A listing page is a presentation. BēKin's knowledge is what sits between that presentation and what the stay actually delivers. For some groups, the right home becomes clear from the framework above. For others, a short conversation gets there faster. That is what the concierge is for.

Ready When You Are

If you have read this far and the right week is taking shape but the right home is not yet clear, that is not a gap in your research. It is the signal that a conversation will get you there faster than more browsing.

BēKin's concierge works through a simple process: who is traveling, how they travel, and what the week needs to hold. From there, the homes that fit narrow quickly. It is not a pitch. It is a conversation with someone who has placed enough groups in the Pines to know which homes work for which kinds of people.

When you are ready, it starts here.

What Makes a Stay Feel Seamless?

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 22:53:28 GMT

Most groups booking a Fire Island Pines vacation rental spend the most time on the wrong question. They compare photos. They read amenity lists. They check the number of bedrooms against the number of people. What they rarely think to ask is whether the home they are considering will actually work for the specific way their group moves through a week together.

That gap, between a listing that looks right and a stay that delivers, is where most rental weeks either hold together or quietly fall apart. It has nothing to do with how much you spend or how close to the water you are. It comes down to a handful of things that almost no listing page names. BēKin has been inside these homes. Here is what to look for.

What the Home Itself Has to Deliver

A listing photographs a mood. Afternoon light through floor-to-ceiling windows. A deck that seems to extend forever. A kitchen that looks built for cooking. What it cannot photograph is how the home actually holds six people across seven days.

The gap between a home that looks right and one that functions right is almost entirely in the details most listing descriptions skip. Bed configuration relative to group size. Whether the kitchen is set up for more than one person to move through at the same time. How the outdoor space relates to the indoor one, and whether it creates a real third zone or just a backdrop. How the bedrooms sit relative to the main living area, because a beautiful open-plan space right off the bedroom corridor means early risers and late sleepers are negotiating from the first morning.

The homes that get this right have been thought through, not just photographed.

211 Midway Walk

Three queen beds, each with direct outdoor access. Floor-to-ceiling windows opening onto expansive decks. Over an acre of landscaped gardens. A built-in Miele espresso machine. Mid-century architecture, recently renovated. Every detail here was a decision, not a default.

The Person Behind the Listing

A Fire Island Pines rental is not a hotel. There is no front desk, no one on call when something needs attention, no infrastructure between the group and whatever happens next. The host is all of that. How they communicate before arrival, how they orient the group when they get there, how responsive they are if something needs attention mid-week: all of it shapes the texture of the stay in ways that rarely surface until something goes wrong.

The best host relationships are the ones where nothing ever rises to the level of a problem. That takes a host who has thought through the guest experience rather than simply listed a property. Different groups need different things from that relationship. The composition of the group shapes what the host dynamic needs to be, and it shapes which home is the right fit, as we covered in Fire Island Group Rentals: Why Size Changes Everything.

Greg at 370 Nautilus Walk has been coming to the Pines since 1987 and is based in New York City. 4BR/2BA, sleeps 8, with a heated pool, roof deck, BBQ grill, outdoor speakers, outdoor shower, fireplace, and Sonos sound system.

370 Nautilus Walk

Hosted by Greg, who has been coming to the Pines since 1987 and is based in New York City. Heated pool, roof deck, BBQ grill, outdoor speakers, fireplace, and Sonos sound system.

A Home That Holds the Whole Group

Most groups are not one thing. Some people want the pool in the morning. Some want to be at the harbor by four. Some want to cook dinner at the house. Others want to be out by ten. A home that holds that range does not force the group to negotiate every time someone has a different idea about what comes next.

The physical version of range: multiple zones, a layout where the social life and the private life occupy different floors, enough space that subsets of the group can move at different speeds without fragmenting the week. The emotional version: a home that functions as a genuine base, not just a place to sleep. When the house has enough going on inside it, some of the best moments of the trip happen there without anyone having to plan for them.

A group of six to eight with different energy levels and different thresholds for how much scene they want needs a home that does not pick sides.

87 Black Duck Walk is built for that. 4BR/4BA, sleeps 8, one king and three queen beds, each bedroom with its own bathroom. Two stories: the main level holds the social life, a gourmet kitchen, wet bar, and dining area that looks out onto the pool and garden. The upper level holds the private life. A heated pool anchors the outdoor space. The harbor is a 3-minute walk when the group is ready for it.

A home that does not push anyone toward a particular version of the day. It holds all of them.

87 Black Duck Walk

Two stories built for a group with different ideas of what a good day looks like. Main level for the social life: gourmet kitchen, wet bar, dining area overlooking the pool. Upper level for the private life: four bedrooms, four bathrooms, one king and three queen beds. Heated pool, fireplace. Harbor three minutes away.

What You Cannot See From the Listing Page

Each of the three layers above, the physical setup, the host relationship, and how the home holds a group across a full week, is something BēKin has direct experience with for every property in the portfolio.

BēKin has been inside these homes. The island is small enough that the difference between the right house and the wrong one is the difference between a week that opens up and one that quietly closes down. The team knows which ones photograph well and function differently once a group is living in them. Which hosts are responsive and which leave groups to figure things out. Which layouts hold eight people well by Wednesday and which start to show their limits.

A listing page is a curated presentation. It is not a property assessment. The gap between what the listing shows and what the stay actually delivers is where BēKin's knowledge lives, and it is the reason the curation exists.

For some groups, the framework above is enough to make a confident choice. For others, the right home depends on specifics that a short conversation can resolve faster than any further searching. That is what the concierge is for.

Ready When You Are

If you have read this far and you are still not sure which home is right for your group, that is not a gap in your research. It is the signal that the right next step is a short conversation rather than another round of browsing.

BēKin's concierge works through a simple process: who is traveling, what matters to them, and what the week needs to deliver. From there, the homes that fit become clear quickly. It is not a pitch. It is a conversation with someone who knows every property in the portfolio and has placed enough groups to know which homes work for which kinds of people.

When you are ready, it starts here.

What Makes a Pines Home Feel Right

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 22:33:00 GMT

Last summer, a group of eight friends rented an oceanfront home in the Pines. Four bedrooms, a wraparound deck, unobstructed water views. By day three, two couples had retreated to their rooms by nine at night. The other four were still going at two in the morning. Not because anyone had a bad week. Because the home had one living space with the bedrooms right off it, and nowhere to be that wasn't in someone else's way.

The house looked beautiful. For that group, it was the wrong home.

Knowing how to choose a Fire Island Pines rental isn't just about finding something you love on a listing page. It's about understanding what a home will feel like to live in, together, for seven days. Those are two different questions, and they have two different answers.

Start with where. Then let the home find you.

If you haven't already read our piece on oceanfront, harbor-side, and tucked away blog, start there. Location is the first decision, and it shapes everything that follows. Once you know where you want to be in the Pines, the home becomes the second layer. The two questions are related, but they're not the same.

A group that belongs near the harbor, booking an oceanfront home because the photos were gorgeous, will spend the whole week walking further than they wanted and quietly wondering why something feels slightly off. That mismatch is avoidable. Get the location right first. Then look at homes.

What photos cannot show you.

The thing a listing page will never give you is flow. How the spaces inside a home connect, and whether that connection holds up for a week of shared living.

A home with an open-plan kitchen, dining room, and living area sounds appealing until you realize it means whoever's up at seven in the morning is sharing the same space as whoever went to bed at three. A home where the bedrooms sit apart from the main living area gives different parts of the group room to move on different schedules. That kind of separation doesn't show up in a photo. It shows up on Wednesday morning.

What to look for: where do the bedrooms sit relative to where everyone gathers? Is there an outdoor space that creates a third zone, somewhere between inside and the open air? Does the home have more than one place to be? A home that funnels everyone into the same room will feel smaller than its square footage by midweek, no matter how far the Atlantic stretches from the deck.

Know your group before you choose your home.

The most clarifying question for a group rental in the Pines: who is sharing with whom, and does the home actually support that?

Four couples traveling together have different needs than eight friends splitting rooms. Couples need a bedroom that functions as a real retreat. A door that closes. Some acoustic distance from the living spaces. A bathroom that isn't a ten-person queue at eight in the morning. A group of friends sharing rooms cares more about the common areas working well: a kitchen big enough for everyone to move through at once, a deck with enough seating that nobody's left standing.

"Square footage tells you a home is big. Bathroom count tells you whether mornings will feel graceful or chaotic. These are the details that shape a week, and they're almost never the first thing listed."

Four bedrooms with one shared bathroom is a fundamentally different experience than four bedrooms with three. The bedroom layout tells you whether couples will have real privacy. Neither of those things lives in the listing photos, and they're rarely flagged in the description.

Couples Layout · Oceanfront · 4-min to harbor

150 Ocean Walk

Four bedrooms, four bathrooms, one per room. Three master suites each with Atlantic views. For groups traveling as couples, this is the layout that quietly shapes the whole week. Everyone gets a real retreat. Mornings feel spacious rather than negotiated. Four-minute walk to the harbor.

The deck is where your week actually lives.

In the Pines, the outdoor space isn't a feature. It's the home. Breakfast happens on the deck. Pre-dinner drinks happen on the deck. The long, slow conversations after Tea Dance happen on the deck. A home with a beautiful interior and a cramped outdoor space is a home where your group spends the week vaguely unsatisfied without quite knowing why.

Before you book, ask: how many people can the deck seat comfortably, not at capacity but at ease? Does it face a direction that works for how you'll actually use it? Is there shade when the afternoon sun is full? Is it elevated enough to feel like somewhere, or ground-level and hemmed in?

An oceanfront deck at height, sightline open to the water, enough room that a group of eight can spread out without anyone perching on the railing. That is one of the defining experiences of a week in the Pines. A harbor-side home with a deck that catches the sunset and faces the water taxi slips is a different version of the same feeling. Both are worth paying for. Neither translates to three photos.

Standout Deck · Oceanfront · Sleeps 10

433 Ocean Walk

Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors open the living room and kitchen directly onto the pool and the ocean-facing deck. The house moves easily between inside and outside, and so does the group. People drift between the kitchen, the deck, and the water throughout the day. That kind of flow is what the week in the Pines is actually made of.

The homes that hold.

There is a category of home in the Pines that looks fine and begins to reveal itself by Thursday. The refrigerator is too small to stock for eight people for a week. The kitchen has one good knife. The outdoor shower is the only shower, which is charming until someone in your group has a bad back. The WiFi drops every evening when the neighborhood traffic spikes.

None of that is visible in a listing. You discover it after you arrive. Or you talk, before you book, to someone who has placed dozens of groups in that home across several seasons and knows exactly what it gives and what it doesn't.

That's the actual difference. Not whether a home is beautiful. Every home in the Pines is beautiful. Whether it holds, quietly and gracefully, for the full week, for your particular group. That takes a different kind of knowing.

The homes that make for a great week are not always the ones that photograph best. When you're ready to look, start with what's available.

Holds All Week · Bayfront · 9-min to harbor

225 Bay Walk

Five bedrooms, four bathrooms, three king beds. A full kitchen, living room, and dining room that give a group of ten real room to spread out and move at different speeds. This is the home that holds quietly across the full week, from Thursday arrival through the last morning. Bayfront, nine-minute walk to the harbor.

The homes that photograph best are not always the ones that make for a great week. The three above are where we would start. When you are ready to look at everything available, it is all here.

Three homes. Three different ways a week in the Pines can feel right. When you are ready to see everything available, it is all in one place.

Oceanfront, Harbor-Side, or Tucked Away?

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 22:18:17 GMT

Every group has this conversation at some point. Someone says oceanfront and it sounds right, the way it always sounds right. Someone else mentions the harbor is where everything happens. A third person suggests mid-island as a compromise. Nobody commits, and the group spends another two weeks in the chat without a booking.

Most of the disagreement is not about preference. It is about not knowing what each choice actually means for how the week plays out. Oceanfront sounds obvious until you understand what you are giving up. Harbor-side sounds social until you realize it is something more specific than that. Mid-island sounds safe until you understand when it works and when it does not.

This is our take on all three. Not a tour. A recommendation.

Location Type 01

Oceanfront: What You're Actually Signing Up For

Staying oceanfront in the Pines means the Atlantic sets the rhythm of your week. The sound of the surf comes through the windows in the morning. The beach is at your door. Your days organize themselves around the ocean because the ocean is right there.

But Fire Island Pines sits on a narrow barrier island, and the geography matters. Oceanfront homes are on the south side, facing the Atlantic. The harbor, Tea Dance, the Pavilion, the restaurants, the ferry dock: all of that is on the north side, facing the Great South Bay. Not far, but a deliberate walk. When you are oceanfront, the scene does not come to you. You make a decision to go.

For groups whose best hours are on the beach, this is exactly right. Two couples who want mornings in the water, afternoons on the sand, and evenings at the house: oceanfront is correct. For a group planning to be at Tea Dance every afternoon and the Pavilion every night, the walk gets old by Tuesday. The mismatch between location and intention compounds across a week in a way that no view compensates for.

If you want to understand how group size shapes this decision further, this post is worth reading alongside this one.

399 Ocean Walk is the oceanfront home we point groups to when the beach is genuinely the center of the plan: two bedrooms, two bathrooms, sleeps four, heated pool, jacuzzi, Bisazza-tiled showers, Brazilian walnut floors. Full availability for the 2026 season.

Location Type 02

Harbor-Side: Where the Scene Comes to You

When you stay on the bay side of the island, you are on the same side as everything that makes the Pines the Pines. The harbor is seven minutes from your door. Tea Dance is reachable without planning a walk. The Pavilion, the restaurants, the ferry arrivals: the energy of the place circulates past you rather than requiring you to go find it.

The evening experience here is distinct in a way people underestimate until they have had it. Sunsets over the Great South Bay hit differently than ocean sunrises: warmer light, the water stretching west toward the mainland, the ferries coming in. Quieter and more social at the same time, which is a combination the harbor side of the island has somehow figured out.

The honest trade-off: you do not have the Atlantic at your door. If your group wants ocean beach mornings, that requires a walk across the island. Groups who are social-first and whose best hours run from late afternoon through midnight will not notice the distance at all. By the time the beach would have mattered, they are already somewhere better.

This is not about group size. A group of four with the right rhythm, people whose best hours are 4pm to midnight, will have a better week harbor-side than a larger group that splits its energy. Location should match behavior, not headcount.

251 Bay Walk is the harbor-side home we point social-first groups toward: two bedrooms, two bathrooms, bayfront, heated pool, fireplace, seven minutes from the harbor on foot. Available April 9 through October 28, all weeks open.

Location Type 03

Tucked Away: The Right Choice for the Wrong Reasons, and the Right Reasons

Mid-island gets chosen for the wrong reasons more than any other location type in the Pines. The reasoning usually goes: we cannot decide between ocean and harbor, so let us split the difference. That logic produces bad weeks. Groups that choose mid-island as a compromise tend to feel the absence of the water by Wednesday.

The groups that choose it deliberately tend to have the best weeks on the island, because they are choosing it for a different reason: they have range.

Eight people with genuinely different ideas of what a good day looks like. Some want the harbor and the full social experience of the Pines every afternoon. Others want the pool, the quiet, the trees. A mid-island home holds both of those people in the same week without either of them feeling like they lost the vote. The beach is a walk to the south. The harbor is a walk to the north. Nothing is automatic. Everything is a choice. For a group with range, that is freedom, not a limitation.

The privacy dimension matters too. Mid-island homes sit away from the boardwalk traffic. The Pines is a social place, and for groups that want the island available when they choose it rather than present at all times, mid-island creates that separation.

If you are a tight group of four whose whole trip is the ocean, or a group whose identity depends on being at Tea Dance every afternoon, mid-island will feel like the wrong address. The distance from both the beach and the harbor is a daily tax, and it compounds.

370 Nautilus Walk is the home we point to here: four bedrooms, two bathrooms, sleeps eight, solar-heated pool, multiple decks, a roof deck with partial ocean views, a grill, and a fireplace. Five minutes to the harbor on foot. Full 2026 availability.

The Decision

So Which One Is Right for Your Group?

You want oceanfront if your group is two to four people, the beach is the center of every day, and your evenings are intimate rather than social. The harbor is somewhere you will go once or twice, not every afternoon.

You want harbor-side if your group is social-first regardless of size, your best hours run from late afternoon through midnight, and proximity to Tea Dance and the Pavilion matters more than stepping directly onto the ocean beach in the morning.

You want tucked away if your group is six to eight people with genuinely different ideas of what a good day looks like, and you need a home with enough to be a destination on its own while keeping both the harbor and the beach within reach.

If none of those land cleanly on your group, that is not a failure of the framework. It means the decision has more variables than a post can resolve. That is what the concierge call is for.

Not Sure? We Can Tell You in About Ten Minutes.

The location decision determines what your mornings look like, what your evenings look like, and whether the house feels like the right address by Thursday or the wrong one. When someone describes their group to us, we can usually point them somewhere specific in a single conversation.

Fire Island Rentals Go Faster Than You Think: Here’s When to Start Looking

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 15:37:17 GMT

Planning a Fire Island trip often starts with optimism.

There’s time. Dates feel flexible. Someone suggests looking “after a few more people confirm.” Waiting feels responsible, even efficient. Why rush if summer is still months away?

What surprises many groups is that Fire Island rentals tend to move quietly, not loudly. Houses do not always disappear in dramatic bursts. They simply stop being available.

This is especially true in Fire Island Pines, where demand is concentrated, inventory is limited, and the homes that work best for groups tend to be claimed earlier than people expect.

Understanding when to start looking does not mean rushing to book. It means knowing how timing shapes your options long before a decision is made.

Why Waiting Feels Reasonable (and Often Isn’t)

Waiting is rarely about procrastination. For most groups, it is about coordination.

People are checking work schedules. Travel plans are still settling. Someone is waiting to hear back from a friend. In many groups, one or two people are quietly carrying the responsibility of making sure the choice works for everyone.

That hesitation is understandable.

What we see each season, though, is that waiting often feels responsible until the choices quietly narrow.

This is not because demand suddenly spikes overnight. It is because the houses that support group living well tend to book steadily and early, especially in the Pines.

Once those houses are gone, the remaining options may still technically work. They just ask more of the group, whether that means tighter layouts, less shared space, or compromises around location.

Timing Affects Availability More Than Price

One of the most common misconceptions about Fire Island rentals is that timing primarily affects price.

In reality, timing affects availability first.

In the Pines, group-friendly homes often begin booking eight to twelve weeks earlier than smaller or more flexible listings. Holiday weeks and peak summer periods move first, but even non-holiday weeks follow predictable patterns.

Earlier action preserves choice. Later action narrows it.

This does not mean every early booking is better. It means that groups who start looking earlier are deciding between options that genuinely work, rather than choosing the least compromised remaining option.

For many groups, that difference is felt once everyone arrives.

What We See Each Season

Every summer, we watch similar stories unfold.

Two groups search for the same week. One starts looking early. The other waits to finalize details. The first group spends time comparing layouts, outdoor space, and how the house will feel with everyone together. The second group scrolls faster, hoping something will still click.

The difference is rarely about decisiveness. It is about timing.

A house that feels easy for a group of eight in April may be unavailable by May, even if the week itself is not yet in high season. Once it is gone, there is often no direct substitute nearby.

Smaller groups can pivot more easily. Larger groups usually cannot.

This is why timing matters more as group size increases, a pattern we explored in more detail in our recent post on how group size shapes Fire Island rental options.

Early Action Is About Preserving Options, Not Creating Pressure

There is a difference between urgency and awareness.

Early action does not mean committing before your group is ready. It means beginning the search while there is still room to evaluate, compare, and step back without pressure.

Groups who start earlier tend to move through the process with more confidence. They are not scrambling to align opinions under time pressure. They are choosing from a fuller set of possibilities.

That confidence carries into the trip itself.

Instead of wondering whether a better option slipped away, the group arrives knowing the house was chosen intentionally.

How Timing Shapes the Experience, Not Just the Booking

Timing influences more than availability. It shapes how planning feels.

When groups wait until options are limited, decisions carry more emotional weight. There is less space for disagreement. Fewer chances to revisit priorities. More pressure on the person coordinating.

When groups begin earlier, planning feels calmer. Tradeoffs are clearer. Conversations are easier.

For groups who return to Fire Island year after year, this difference matters. These trips often hold meaning beyond logistics. They are reunions, traditions, and chosen family gatherings.

Preserving ease in the planning process helps preserve ease in the week itself.

What to Do If You’re Not Ready to Book Yet

Not every group is ready to book as soon as they start looking. That is normal.

If your group is still aligning, early steps can still be useful:

Browse with intention rather than casually
Identify two or three layouts that genuinely work for your size
Clarify which features are non-negotiable
Understand which weeks tend to book first

This kind of early clarity makes it easier to move when the right option appears.

For some groups, having guidance during this stage reduces decision fatigue. Our concierge team works closely with every house on the platform and understands how different homes function for different group sizes. For many planners, this turns an overwhelming search into a manageable short list.

Book a Free Concierge Service from BēKin

You can also explore current availability directly to get a sense of how timing affects the market.

A Note From Past Guests

“Great home! Super chic and cute, the owners were helpful and responsive. Comfortable beds, great pool and hot tub. We'd happily stay again here.”

— Mitchell, guest at 617 Shore Walk.

We hear this often. The hope to return usually begins with a booking that felt well-timed, not rushed.

Start Looking Earlier Than You Think, Then Decide Calmly

If there is one takeaway, it is this.

Fire Island rentals do not reward urgency. They reward awareness.

Starting earlier does not force a decision. It simply keeps better options on the table longer. For groups, that often makes the difference between a house that works on paper and one that feels right once everyone is together.

In our next post, we’ll look at why the cheapest option rarely feels like the best one, and how demand quietly shapes pricing decisions in Fire Island.

For now, beginning the search earlier than you think you need to is the simplest way to plan with clarity instead of friction.

Fire Island Group Rentals: Why Size Changes Everything

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 19:03:35 GMT

Why Group Size Is the First Filter for Fire Island Group Rentals

Before dates or décor, group size is the first filter that meaningfully narrows Fire Island group rentals.

In the Pines, there are only a limited number of homes that comfortably support larger groups. As group size increases, the pool of viable houses shrinks fast.

In practical terms, this is what we see each season:

A group of four to six may see dozens of available listings for a given week
A group of ten to twelve may only see five to eight homes that truly work

A house that technically sleeps ten is not always a house that feels good for ten people, especially when those people plan to spend most of their time together.

Many groups here return year after year, often with the same core friends. Comfort, flow, and shared space matter more than squeezing everyone in.

Fire Island House Layouts Matter More Than Bedroom Count

Most groups don’t run into trouble because of the bed count. They run into trouble because the house didn’t support how people actually live together.

As group size increases, layout becomes just as important as square footage. The features that tend to matter most are:

A living area where everyone can actually gather
Enough bathrooms to avoid daily bottlenecks
Clear flow between kitchen, living room, and outdoor space
Outdoor areas that allow people to spread out without disconnecting

Two homes with the same bedroom count can feel completely different once everyone arrives. One feels easy and social. The other feels cramped by the second morning.

This is where local knowledge matters. Photos rarely tell the full story of how a house functions once a group settles in, especially for groups of eight or more.

“The living room has a lot of character making it a great place for everyone to hang out. There’s also a huge, multi-level deck. Would definitely stay here again.”
— Judah

Fire Island Availability Tightens Fast for Large Groups

Group size also affects how early you need to start looking.

Homes that support larger groups in the Pines typically book earlier than smaller units. Large group-friendly homes often book eight to twelve weeks earlier , especially for peak summer weeks and holiday periods.

Once those homes are booked, there are rarely direct substitutes nearby with similar layouts.

Smaller groups can often pivot. Larger groups usually cannot.

This is why waiting feels riskier for Fire Island group rentals. It is not about pressure. It is about preserving choice.

How Pricing Behaves Differently for Fire Island Group Rentals

Pricing can feel confusing when groups first compare listings.

Larger homes usually come with higher total prices but lower per-person costs. They also tend to include features that smaller houses do not, such as outdoor gathering space, pools, or layouts designed for shared living.

What matters most is not finding the cheapest option. It is finding a house that allows the group to relax into the week instead of navigating friction every day.

Why Decision Speed Matters for Fire Island Group Rentals

More people means more opinions. That is natural. It also means good options can disappear while a group is still aligning.

Groups that align early on a few non-negotiables tend to move with more confidence when the right house appears.

Why Concierge Support Helps With Fire Island Group Rentals

For larger Fire Island group rentals, the hardest part is often narrowing the list.

Our concierge team knows which homes genuinely work for groups of eight to twelve and how each house functions in real life.

Fire Island Group Rentals Carry Emotional Weight

Planning Fire Island group rentals often comes with quiet pressure.

There is pressure to choose well. To stay within budget. To make sure everyone feels considered. Often, one or two people carry that responsibility for the entire group.

For many groups, this week represents the one time all year everyone is together in the same place. That weight is real.

Acknowledging that emotional layer helps. When groups accept that tradeoffs are part of the process and focus on what actually matters for their time together, decisions tend to feel calmer and more grounded.

Start With Size, Then Build From There

If there is one takeaway, it is this.

Group size is not just a number. It is the foundation of Fire Island group rentals.

Once size is clear, everything else becomes easier. Timing makes more sense. Layout priorities sharpen. Availability feels less confusing. Tradeoffs become intentional.

In the next posts, we will look more closely at when to start looking and what features matter most once you begin comparing houses.

For now, starting with size is the simplest way to plan with clarity instead of friction.

A Simpler Security Deposit for Fire Island Stays

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 22:35:38 GMT

A New Era of Security Deposits at BēKin

Security deposits have always been one of the most awkward parts of booking a summer home. Too much money tied up for too long. Too many questions about timing. Too much friction between guests and hosts who are trying to start their season on the right foot.

We wanted to fix that. So we did.

BēKin’s updated security deposit system is simple, fair, and designed to make both sides of the stay feel supported. It lets guests book with less financial pressure and gives hosts cleaner protection without the usual hassles. No hidden advantages. No one-sided policies. Just a more thoughtful way to hold space for each other.

For guests: peace of mind from the start

A trip to Fire Island should feel like ease from the moment you click “book,” not an unexpected hit to your cash flow. Our approach reduces how much money you need to part with upfront and keeps things straightforward before, during, and after your stay.

Guests get exactly what they need:

A sense of safety, lower stress, and a check-in experience that feels welcoming instead of transactional. It keeps the magic of planning a Pines summer intact.

For hosts: real protection without the heaviness

Hosts deserve a system that respects their homes without making them chase down details or manage complicated steps. Our structure gives them clean coverage, predictable timing, and a smoother post-checkout process. It supports the energy they put into maintaining spaces that guests fall in love with.

Hosts get what they value:

Confidence that their home is protected in a way that feels aligned with how BēKin does things. Clear, modern, and easy for everyone involved.

And for hosts who prefer the traditional model, that option is still available. Some homes choose to stay with a standard escrow-style deposit. Others are leaning into the new card-hold method because it tends to feel gentler for guests and often makes the booking process a bit more inviting. Whichever fits your comfort level, we support it.

Why we made this change?

Because Fire Island deserves a booking experience that mirrors the way the place itself feels. Warm. Human. Trust-based. Thoughtful. And because the old way of doing deposits didn’t match the kind of community we’re building.

This shift is part of a bigger vision: helping people arrive with less tension, connect more easily, and leave feeling better than when they came. When both guests and hosts feel held, the stay itself gets better. Relationships last longer. The island feels lighter.

BēKin is here for the long game

We designed this system to support the entire experience, not just the transaction. It’s one more step toward a platform that’s kinder, cleaner, and more in tune with how people actually want to travel and host.

Whether you’re opening your home or planning your week in the Pines, this is the direction we’re always moving in: less friction, more belonging. If you’ve stayed with us or hosted with us before, you’ll feel the difference. And if you’re new to BēKin, this is a good snapshot of who we are. We take care of the details so everyone else can just breathe a little more easily.

FAQ

Does this new system change the total amount of the security deposit?

No. The amount stays the same. The only thing that changes is how it’s handled so it feels lighter for guests and more seamless for hosts.

When is the security deposit collected?

It’s collected closer to the stay. Guests don’t have to part with large sums months in advance, and hosts still receive the protection they expect.

How long is it held?

Only for the time it’s needed. Once the stay is complete and the home is checked, the hold is released.

Does this slow down the booking process?

Not at all. It actually removes friction. Guests can confirm a stay with less financial strain, and hosts get a cleaner, more modern workflow on their side.

Can guests still be charged for damage if needed?

Yes, if real damage occurs and is documented. Nothing here weakens a host’s protection. It simply reduces unnecessary burden on guests during the booking phase.

Do hosts still have the option to use a traditional escrow-style deposit?

Yes. Hosts can choose either model. Many appreciate the familiarity of escrow. Others prefer the new card-hold system because guests tend to respond well to it, which can help their property feel more approachable during high-demand periods. Both options are supported.

Does this benefit one side more than the other?

No. This was designed intentionally to be balanced. Guests get flexibility. Hosts get clarity. Both sides get a system that feels more human and less heavy.

Is this available for all BēKin stays?

Yes. This is our new standard. Every home, every host, every stay.

Why didn’t other companies do this sooner?

Because most platforms move slowly. We’re smaller, more connected to the community, and built on real relationships. When something’s not working for our people, we fix it.

Do I need to do anything differently as a host or guest?

No. Nothing changes on your to-do list. Everything runs quietly in the background so the experience is smoother for everyone.

Fire Island from NYC: First-Timer's Guide (2026 Planning, Stress-Free)

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 22:58:06 GMT

Belonging by the Water, Why The Pines Matters to Our Community?

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 20:30:30 GMT

Quarter Season, Decoded: Five Weeks, One Holiday, Zero Guesswork

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 22:27:04 GMT

A clear, easy rhythm for those ready to move beyond the one-week getaway.

Why Quarter Season? And Why Now?

How Quarter Season Works? (And Why It’s Easier)

Five total weeks: already mapped out for you.
One holiday week included in every package.
Same property each stay: your home stays constant.
Thursday-to-Thursday schedule keeps travel smooth and weekends intact.
No guesswork: dates are fixed; ease is built-in.

New for 2026: Quarter Season rentals are open now. Your rhythm begins when you do.

632 Fire Island Boulevard

Real Example:

632 Fire Island Boulevard — Labor Day & Juneteenth Packag e

The Smart Math Behind the Ease.

Quarter Season bundles five pre-scheduled summer weeks at one flat rate, typically 25–40% less than booking those same weeks individually.

Budgeting Benefits:

Transparent pricing with one contract and one payment schedule.

Built-in holiday week: no late-season price spikes.

Easy to split costs across couples or groups.

Thursday turnovers mean smoother ferry travel and less congestion. Budgeting becomes less about managing logistics and more about managing joy.

Who It’s For?

Quarter Season is made for multi-week dreamers , couples , and tight friend groups who want a season that unfolds gently. They value:

Consistency: the same home, same energy, same ritual.

Community: a familiar rhythm that reconnects you to the island and to each other.

Ease: one decision, one booking, five effortless arrivals.

Quarter Season vs. Multi-Week: Which Rhythm Fits You?

Picture it. Five touchpoints through the season: a soft May arrival, a sunlit Juneteenth celebration, a midsummer stretch of laughter, the golden ease of August, and the quiet shimmer of Labor Day week.

Same space. Same flow. A rhythm that holds you through summer’s arc. The magic of Quarter Season is that it doesn’t end, it repeats. You don’t just visit Fire Island; you return to the same rhythm, the same laughter, the same home.

Ready to Map Your Season?

View Quarter Season Rentals → https://link.bekin.io/nm7grm

Ask us which package fits your calendar → hello@bekin.io

Call or text: 631-597-8600

Share your preferred dates and vibe, we’ll match you with homes that fit your rhythm.

Fire Island Pines Updates

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 16:17:05 GMT

Fire Island Star - by John Bogack, editor

The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

MILLENNIUM CHERRY GROVE UPDATE

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 16:14:17 GMT

Fire Island Star - by John Bogack, editor

We’ve reached out to Ernesto Scaglione, owner and developer of the future Millennium restaurant/club/catering space in Cherry Grove for an update about his current renovation plans. We’ve got some essential information to report today.

He confirmed that the renovation remains ongoing and that this season he will be concentrating on interior renovation. However there has been a change in plans for an opening date. It won’t be in 2026 but 2027 instead.

As most residents of Cherry Grove and FI Pines know full well renovation work can take more time to finish than first hoped. A good current example is the ongoing work at the Tryst Hotel in FI Pines. It’s taking longer than first hoped, for any of a variety of reasons but no so unusual considering the history of prior renovation work on FI, think the rebuild of the Cherry Grove hotel for example, years in the making.

Our photo today, from when this editor visited the building in late August 2024. It’s a second outside floor look, those doors leading to the new high ceiling catering space that will be part of this business. And in the upper right corner, a view of the third-floor deck railing beyond which is the third-floor deck which is going to have some spectacular views not just of the ocean but all points around the building too.

This August it looks like we will be returning to add to our ongoing photo album to get a closer view of the progress.

The Easiest Way to Rent a House in Fire Island Pines: Discover BeKin

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 14:05:23 GMT

Your Ultimate Guide to Seamless Rentals and Property Sales in Fire Island Pines

Why Choose BeKin for Your Fire Island Pines Rentals?

Wide Range of Rental Options

At BēKin, we understand that every visitor has unique needs. That’s why we offer a variety of rental options, including:

Weekly Rentals: Perfect for a short getaway or a week-long vacation.
Quarter Share Rentals: Ideal for those who want to experience the island regularly without the commitment of full ownership.

To explore our rental options and book your stay, visit www.bekin.io

Homes for Sale in Fire Island Pines

For those looking to make Fire Island Pines their permanent or seasonal home, BēKin provides an extensive list of homes for sale. Whether you’re looking for a cozy beach cottage or a luxurious oceanfront property, we have something to suit every taste and budget.

Check out our sales listings at www.bekinre.io

Seamless Booking Process

Our booking process is designed to be as easy and stress-free as possible. Simply browse our listings online, choose your preferred property, and book your stay in just a few clicks. Our user-friendly websites ensure you can find the perfect rental or home for sale with minimal effort.

On-Island Full-Time Customer Support

One of the standout features of BēKin is our dedicated on-island full-time customer support. We’re here to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have before, during, and after your stay. Our team is committed to providing exceptional service to ensure your experience in Fire Island Pines is nothing short of perfect.

5-Star Reviews from Previous Tenants

Don’t just take our word for it—our previous tenants have left numerous 5-star reviews praising our properties and services. Here’s what some of them have to say:

“Everyone in our group loved the home! The host was kind and responsive, the location was great, and the house had everything we needed. We're already looking forward to staying there again.”
– Matthew | 370 Nautilus Walk

“This House was PERFECT! All of us had such an amazing stay and kept saying how great this house was for our group. Cant think of a negative review. ”
– Andrew | 627 Tuna Walk

“What a cool house with a great history and location. Loved the layout and size, loved the pool. The hot tub didn't work for most of our week there, but we didn't really plan to use it much anyway. Well stocked kitchen, great washer/dryer. Air conditioners worked really well, but it also cooled easily with the doors open instead. Loved this place. Hoping we can get it again next summer!”
– Richard | 573 Coast Guard Walk

Experience the Best of Fire Island Pines with BEKin

BēKin is committed to making your experience in Fire Island Pines as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. With our wide range of rental options, homes for sale, easy booking process, and outstanding customer support, we’re confident you’ll find the perfect property for your needs.

Ready to start your Fire Island Pines adventure? Visit www.bekin.io for rentals and www.bekinre.io for sales to explore our listings and book your next stay with BēKin today!

ABOUT THAT POSSIBLE NEW HOTEL IN PATCHOGUE VILLAGE

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:28:19 GMT

Tonight, the Patchogue Village Board of Trustees is meeting on a needed zoning change that if approved will help speed the construction of a new hotel in Patchogue Village on the Patchogue river. Pictured today is a rendering of the proposed Tempo hotel under the Hilton hotel banner. (photo credit: Newsday)

Readers might ask what any of this has to do with Cherry Grove and FI Pines. The answer is, right now not much, but in a few years maybe a lot.

Part of this proposed hotel application includes a plan to dredge for a new marina on the Patchogue River near the hotel. Only a stone’s throw away actually. Once that is done, and that looks to be about 3 years from now after construction is finished, a very interesting option might take shape. And that option would be a new direct water taxi link from Patchogue Village to FI Pines and Cherry Grove.

For those traveling from the west taking the train to Patchogue would add about 10 minutes to the train trip. But once at the Patchogue train station, unlike today, it would be a short walk to the hotel and the marina there to link up with a water taxi. No shuttle service would be needed from the Sayville train station to the ferry connection in Sayville. The train trip would be longer but overall travel time to FI might turn out to be shorter and less complicated.

The waiting area would include the amenities of the nearby hotel.

Also train service from Patchogue is actually superior to that that can be found in Sayville. For example, on weekends there are several express trains to NYC that would take a rider from Patchogue to the Jamaica train station with no stops in between.

The train station in Patchogue too is now undergoing a major renovation and included in that is new outside lighting making it a safer wait area for trains in either direction.

For those traveling from the east the benefit would be a shorter route to a water taxi with all the benefits previously detailed.

This idea is already getting mentioned at public meetings in Patchogue Village. H20 water limo that already provides water taxi service between FI Pines and Cherry Grove and cross bay trips too does so from a location in Blue Pt. A new Patchogue Village pick up and drop off site could prove very attractive to it to use. It already has a license to sail on the Patchogue river and does so now from time to time promoting Patchogue riverfront events.

It should also be mentioned that the availability of hotel rooms in Patchogue Village, with good connections to FI, also raises the possibility of some visitors finding housing for day trips too that could actually reach far into the night hours depending on what water taxi service might occur in the future from the marina near the hotel.

If no water taxi service ever occurs, if just the hotel opens up that that would still be a benefit by helping with today’s housing crunch for visitors to Cherry Grove and FI Pines. Rail service from

Patchogue Village is frequent, fast, and low cost in either direction to the Sayville train station.

None of this is happening now. And it’s far from being a done deal. The devil is always in the details. But it’s an evolving story worth keep an eye on because of its potential impacts for a lot of people.

A LOOK AT THE 2025 DANCE SEASON

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:18:54 GMT

It’s certainly early on but there’s always interest in what this next dance and entertainment season is going to look like. This is particularly so since there have been some ownership changes one in Cherry Grove and a second larger one in FI Pines.

Over the last few weeks this editor has been reaching out to various owners or their representatives to find out some early news about what’s ahead. We didn’t get all that we hoped for but there has been enough feedback to provide a good idea of what’s ahead for a majority of the venues in FI Pines and Cherry Grove.

FI PINES

Let’s start with the elephant on the dance floor. This season there’s going to be new ownership of a majority of the dance venues in FI Pines as Tristan Schukraft, first pictured today, takes over, among other businesses in FI Pines, these dance venues. The Blue Whale restaurant site of afternoon to early evening Tea dances, weeknight piano bar, and other events too (e.g. bingo) is one of the three dance venues he will own. Nearby the pool deck area site of Fun Tea dance events on weekends falls under his management too. And last but not least the full-scale famed Pavilion nightclub as well now will come under his management.

In the past several years all these venues including Sip and Twirl nightclub have fallen under the management of PJ McAteer. Now with an ownership change that role for him ends as he pivots to managing the one nightclub that remains under his ownership, Sip and Twirl giving that venue his full attention.

So, with a new owner, and new money, renovations occurring and more to occur, the question that comes to mind is: shake up on the dance floor or is it stay the course at least for a while. And the answer is: we could get none. At least not yet. We were able to speak to a representative of the business and the response was that an announcement was coming “soon” about what changes if any were ahead.

While we struck out there we were able to get answers from other club owners allowing readers to get a context though about what is happening elsewhere.

PJ McAteer (second pictured today), who will be continuing his 20-year tenure as a club manager/owner in FI Pines did tell this editor that Sip and Twirl’s programming will essentially remain stable although as always clubs do try to bring in some new programming for variety. He will be managing that business along with the other FI Pines businesses he continues to own: Pines Pizza, the Bistro and a catering business. He did say that the club will be offering programming on a seven-day a week basis and that does lead one to think that programming at Sip and Twirl may include more early weekday events than previously (Monday to Wednesday).

Dance events in FI Pines are not limited to just brick and mortal businesses. The beach is a venue too and now with the beach rebuild in full swing it’s going to be an even more beautiful natural venue. That means beach dances provided by BOFFO (e.g. Sunday Sounds, beach arts festival 7-11-25), and pop-up beach dance events held by the 5htp collective should continue. And of course there is the big beach dance event definitely scheduled, the Pines Party (weekend of 8-1 to 8-3).

11-14-25 update: there has been a confirmation on social media that indeed the 5HTP events will be held this season.

Of some note this year is the 50th celebration of the Invasion of the Pines that might bring on special programming to mark that milestone (Friday 7-4-25).

Cherry Grove

Over in Cherry Grove, unpictured, Cherry’s now has a new owner and manager, Paul Scarpa. On our contact with him he advised that he will be a hands-on presence in the club. He too will be holding the past Cherry’s schedule pretty stable but did say he will be bringing on a group of new headliners too.

At the Ice Palace we spoke to the Ice Palace’s major domo, Daniel Nardicio. This will be his third year managing the entertainment at the Ice Palace. It’s taken him two years to build out a very extensive program schedule of dance events, and performers and this year the plan is pretty much to stay the course. There will be some attention paid to expanding the coffee bar offered last season. It was successful last season and has potential for doing better.

Cherry’s and the Ice Palace are the two main dance venues in Cherry Grove but there are other venues that provide entertainment.

We’ve been advised that Sand Castle on the Ocean will be continuing its long-standing piano bar, perhaps the longest held piano bar event in Cherry Grove, as well as offering singers and other performers from time to time at the business pretty much then a stay the course plan.

At the Island Breeze, we could not get any direct information about what they are planning for this season. If last year is a guide expect a return of their weekend scheduling that includes an overall regular rotation of karaoke, band performers and drag performances and some pop-up DJs.

Sky High Tea, promoted by Robin Bryd, and DJ Greg Scarnici will be returning to the roof deck of the Cherry Grove Community House we’ve been advised by the Cherry Grove Arts Project, that is the actual sponsor of that event. It was very successful last season, and expected to do just as well this season. For those marking their calendars the 2025 schedule for this event is:

Sat May 24 and Fri June 27th and Sat July 5th and Sat August 30th.

Our dance survey would not be complete without mentioning that both FI Pines and Cherry Grove are blessed with multiple other dance events that occur during the season for all sorts of good causes, too numerous to catalogue here. These are events held at other venues, community buildings, private homes, and housing accommodations that convert their spaces into venues for those causes from time to time. Expect the return of all of them.

If there is a summation for this survey it might be this. If you liked the 2024 season then the 2025 season looks to be on course for a repeat. There does remain one wild card and that is just what might the new owner of the Pavilion, and Blue Whale might be up to. He’s got prior club experience as an owner of multiple other nightclubs elsewhere. How that might play into the 2025 season still remains to be discovered.

All and all it looks like another banner year and as the years have evolved of late starting earlier than in years in past think late April, and lasting longer think more into Columbus day weekend in October (and if the ferry service improved it's late season weekend service there would be a lot more around to take in post-Labor day weekend.). Just a thought there Sayville Ferry!

By John Bogack, Editor

Fire Island Star

INVASION OF THE PINES 2024-LOOK BACK

Sun, 07 Jul 2024 20:22:51 GMT

INVASION OF THE PINES 2024-LOOK BACK

By John Bogack, Editor

It’s taken us a few days to collect enough photos and videos to come up with an album. In this look back post what you will find is a story of the Invasion from Panzi on her way to the Ice Palace, before the hoopla begins, to some video post Invasion landing of a dance event at Sip and Twirl. It’s an A-to-Z narrative.

To get the full story most of the photos in the panel will have to be clicked to find additional photos and more importantly video that provides a livelier context for the photos.

Hundreds of good pictures were left behind and not posted. There’s only so much room. But in this album there should be a good over view of the event from beginning to end.

Our thanks to those who did take photos and video who documented this once again celebratory and historical event so much a part of the community life of both Cherry Grove and FI Pines.

FI Star - Invasion Guide for Day Trippers and Everyone Else!

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 15:20:40 GMT

By John Bogack, Editor

Note: This is an updated post from earlier in the morning. A bit more fine-tuned.

We’ve got some promo graphics to post today that outline what’s ahead July 4th, Invasion of the Pines, this Thursday.

But here’s some general advice. If you heading for the Invasion itself in FI Pines arrive early or be sure to have wristbands for Pines venues. It’s not in like in the old days, not at all: there are paywalls everywhere and for an average 6 to a 7-hour span paywalls rule. The dock area remains a free zone but space is limited, to the early person goes the best spot, that’s life. These paywalls are gone by 7 p.m..

If money is a factor it’s a walk over to the Grove, or water taxi there. Best advice if on a walk take some bug spray, avoid tick areas, stay on the paths. The park land can appear like a maze at times but the way ahead is always there. If you get lost someone will be around to give directions. The parkland is a quiet beautiful wilderness area. It’s a good place to decompress from the hurly-burly of the Invasion activities in the Pines. There’s a lot of freedom to be found within its confines just remember though it’s also a federal parkland.

Violations that somehow come to the attention of Park rangers (e.g. open drug use and or sexual activity) may result in ticketing under federal criminal violation/crime rules. Just saying…be mindful or your immediate surroundings.

Once you arrive in Cherry Grove, dances and other events can be found without a cover charge.

Good ferry service all day and night. Water taxi service will be around too just remembered it’s you and a lot of others looking for that quick ride too so expect lines and again not a bad idea to get on line early or make a reservation online.

Parking is always an issue in an around the ferry dock. If your heart is set on parking nearby prepare to wait on long lines in your car before getting a space, and again arriving early rather than later always the better strategy.

Parking in the nearby neighborhood may be legal in certain areas but why not simply park at the train station and take the shuttle, a bit more to spend but far less headaches all around.

It’s going to be fun day with lots of people there so keep that in mind too: welcome to the crush!

Our panel….

First promo: Where it all begins, at 11 a.m. shape up for those taking the boat to the Pines. Then the walk from the Ice Palace to the boat leaving for the Pines with attendant good wishers abounding. That particular boat about noon or so is not for the general public. Check with the Ice Palace for eligibility for passage.

Second promo: in and around the dock at Cherry Grove Cherries is offering primo seating but at a cost, reservations a must. The Island Breeze has not advertised a similar deal but they usually too, for a price, allow for reserved seating to see the sights. Check with them for more info. The Cherry’s post also a reminder that there are free events in Cherry Grove there and elsewhere occurring on this date too even as there are paywalls in the Pines for that same period of time.

Third promo: the event schedule once the boat lands in FI Pines, free event. Again, public seating/standing limited unless you have got yourself a wristband to the Pavilion or Blue Whale. Be early…

Fourth and Fifth promo graphics: It takes two to tango, the full schedule for FI Pines venues in two posts. In the comments section below see a promo graphic breaking down wristband prices.

Sixth and Seventh promo graphics: the ferry schedule, best you are going to get. There may be some cancellations of specific trips to adjust to Invasion demands, or even add on trips. There is only one good source to keep track of this info: check the ferry website and/or Facebook page for up to date pop up announcements.

Updates as needed to come…

CLIMATE IMPACT PROGRAMS TO CONSIDER

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 09:17:06 GMT

Our photo, sand fencing for the Grove beach stocked up and already in progress for deployment to bolster the beach against flooding risks. It’s an example of a long standing local effort by the Cherry Grove Dune Fund to deal with the ongoing risks of flooding from more adverse climate changes predicted to come.

In this post a look at some other efforts that also touch on the same issue and some potential grant programs they offer.

Here is a summary of some recent developments all of which have some potential impacts on Cherry Grove and FI Pines residents in a voluntary way.

Waste control

As the ground water level rises so do threats to cesspools. The Citizens Campaign for the Environment has just released a 215-page report assessing strategies for the future for FI communities. Sprinkled through the report are references to Cherry Grove and FI Pines. Both communities figure prominently in this issue as per statistics included in the report scattered throughout its contents.

For those looking for grant information to effect some waste control measures for their homes and businesses there is some grant information of note, and also to be noted as with this grant offer and several others to be noted here funds are limited, waiting lists exist, there are income tests but the program does offer some financial help to offset costs potentially for those eligible: https://reclaimourwater.info/

See the full report here:

https://drive.google.com/.../1-UBehXEl0Gu5z.../view...

RAISE YOUR HOUSE

Brookhaven Town is involved in a grant program to help raise houses to prevent their flooding, again limited funds, waiting list dependent on new funds, but once again a potential source of help financing raising a home safer from flood waters: https://www.brookhavenny.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=4241

SAY GOOD BYE

Lastly NY State does have a costal retreat strategy in effect that includes a property buyout for eligible coastal properties, like all the above programs there are limiting factors. Blue Buffer program: https://hcr.ny.gov/form/blue-buffers-request-form

What makes this program unique is that once the home is sold that's it, the land reverts to a forever wild status.

This editor notes that with all these programs future funding streams will matter but for those interested now getting on a waiting list, if it comes to that, it does seem it can pay off in the end .

2024 Invasion News

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 09:15:56 GMT

2024 INVASION NEWS

Some advance promo graphics are out for Invasion events in Cherry Grove, and FI Pines and more to come.

That Pines Invasion graphic does not have a ticket info link. This is it: https://www.showclix.com/event/fipjuly4Invasion

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