Tips to Successfully Handle the Boardy Barn

Generally, the Hamptons are about expensive alcohol, BMWs and high-end fashion, but in one Long Island hamlet known as Hampton Bays, you’ll find a different crowd. Meet Boardy Barn, a 43-year-old bar whose massive striped tent encompasses beer-soaked singalongs, smiley stickers galore and barn animals — or fellow parties.

Every summer, the infamous giant red and white circus-like tent is put up and barn-goers envision cold bubbly drafts, smiley face stickers and classic throwback tunes. To many, it’s pure bliss.

The indoor/outdoor drinking extravaganza is only open 2–8 p.m. on Sundays from Memorial Day to Labor Day, with some exceptions. Attendees can wait in line for up to six hours to get in, but it’s worth it. Typically, the Barn hosts more than 2,000 attendees made up of mostly twenty-somethings and a few dozen partiers in their 30s and 40s.

Boardy Barn is rumored to sell more beer in three short months than Yankee Stadium does in a full baseball season. While the cover charge may be $20, beers are only $1–2, allowing you to get your money’s worth. The indoor/outdoor drinking areas include 46 flowing beer taps. The vibe is more reminiscent of an outdoor dive bar than the Hamptons clubs seen on TV.

Read a few of our tips to help you successfully spend the day at the Boardy Barn.

Don’t wear anything you have an emotional attachment to i.e., shirts, shorts, jewelry, watches, hair accessories, socks, etc. Looking good is not the objective, after all it is called the Boardy BARN. Don’t wear white unless you want to take part in an impromptu wet t-shirt contest. If anything will be destroyed, it’s your shoes. The floor is damp, muddy and covered in beer.

The Barn most often is associated with yellow smiley face stickers, but they actually serve a purpose. While they are meant to be used for spreading love, happiness and cheer, they should be used as a strategic pick-up trick to place on your Boardy crush’s body to get them to notice you.

One of the only written rules is not to wear orange. The security guards wear orange and therefore if everyone else does too, it will get rather confusing. Security guards won’t let you in if you’re wearing orange, so it’s wise to pick another shirt.

Brush up on your 90s song lyrics. Make sure you review the classics as the playlist includes anything from current hits to throwbacks from your parent’s day.

Protect your valuables with plastic bags. If possible, don’t bring anything along of value. You’re more than likely to get soaked, so if you must bring it, protect it.

Order as many beers as possible. When you’ve finally made it all the way up to the bar, don’t waste your turn. Order as much as you can carry.

Stock up on strips of stickers. There’s no better way to make friends at the Barn than with the smiley face stickers.

Don’t get caught throwing, pouring or spraying beer. If one of the guys in the orange shirts catches you throwing beer or spilling on someone else, it’s an automatic ejection. You’ll be picked up by a mob of orange and carried out — they don’t miss much.

Don’t lift anyone up. This includes piggy back rides, shoulders, running leaps and passionate hugs. This too will result in the boot.

Don’t miss your train home. Cabs in the Hamptons are expensive, so catching the train is important.

Cap off a summer weekend with a trip to Hampton Bays; after all the legendry spot’s motto is, “Happy Days in Hampton Bays.”