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Fire Island is known for many things — oceanfront circuit parties that draw thousands of muscle-bound boys, kitschy drag queens of varying degrees of talent and good taste, and sexual liaisons on the stretch of seashore between Cherry Grove and the Fire Island Pines dubbed the Meat Rack.

This 34-mile-long barrier island that parallels the South Shore of Long Island, roughly 60 miles east of Manhattan, has something for everyone. Raucous nights on the town? Check. Quiet days where you hardly see a soul? Check.

Approximately 500 people live year-round on Fire Island, but the population can swell to as many as 30,000 people on one of the summer's busiest weekends, such as Independence Day or Labor Day. 

With new facilities at the Hotel/ Botel, the Blue Whale, Pavilion, Low Tea, High Tea, the Canteen and the Sip n' Twirl/ Bistro complex The Pines had a busy summer season this past year as local promoters aim to rival international gay beach destinations such as Provincetown, Mykonos and Ibiza.

In Cherry Grove the Grove Hotel, destroyed by fire in 2015, reopened for the 2017 season. The Ice Palace nightclub and pool, opens again this year, with daily and seasonal passes. For updates about their special events see their website. Cherry's and the Belvedere were not damaged.

See our listings tab for a map with these and more area businesses.

 

Getting here

For most visitors, getting to Fire Island requires taking a train, then a van, then a ferry. The Long Island Railroad provides train service to from Penn Station in Manhattan or Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn to Sayville for $19 to $25 (onboard during peak hours) or $13.75 to $20 between 10am and 4pm off peak. Colonial Transportation offers transport to the ferry at $5 for the bus or $6 per person for a taxi, meeting all incoming trains and ferries. The Sayville Ferry Service takes passengers from the mainland to the Grove or the Pines for $18 roundtrip, summer rates. The ride across Great South Bay takes between 15 and 20 minutes.

 

Getting around

You’ll have to use your own two feet, because there are no cars on the island. Folks get their luggage or groceries home with little red wagons.

 

Neighborhoods

Fire Island Pines. A hangout for A-list gays, the Pines has massive houses hidden behind tall fences.

Cherry Grove. More laid-back than the Pines, Cherry Grove has a easy-going mix of lesbians and gay men.

 

What to do

The centuries-old Sunken Forest, roughly half a mile west of Cherry Grove, is among the best places within the Fire Island National Seashore to see brilliant foliage. The wooded area appears as though it is below sea level because of an optical illusion created by the dunes. The Sunken Forest contains a number of trails on which visitors can explore Fire Island's unique flora and fauna. Deer, fox, turtles and an abundance of birds are among the animals that can be spotted within this protected area.

The Fire Island Dance Festival and the Pines Party both in July, are big dates on the Fire Island calendar.

The Arts Project Cherry Grove (180 Bayview Walk, Cherry Grove) has stage performances, concerts, art exhibits and sales of original works in oils, photos, crafts and jewelry - among other things. Free summertime movies have been screened each Tuesday at 7pm.

 

Media & Resorces

Fire Island Q News covers gay life at the beach, and the Fire Island News has the scoop on other island news, for both Cherry Grove and the Pines.

The Pines Chamber of Commerce website lists businesses and service providers in Greater Fire Island Pines.

Sharegurl also lists room and property rentals, and provides concierge and events planning services.

The Daniel Nardicio and DWorld websites have information on some of the biggest events each season in Cherry Grove. CherryGrove.com is another online resource for that town.

The Long Island Ravens MC is the nearest leather men's organization, with events around Long Island and beyond.

For map locations and website links to the businesses below, and more, see our gay Fire Island listings pages.

 

Accommodations

Belvedere (Bayview Walk, Cherry Grove; 631-597-6448) guest house/ hotel in in style of Venetian Palace, men-only, with patio, clothing-optional swimming pool, hot tub, gym / workout area, WiFi throughout. Shops, bars, discos and restaurants nearby, plus jogging trail into the Sunken Forest.

Big Dicks Halfway Inn (1 Main Walk, Cherry Grove; 917-204-2476), guest room rentals, summertime DW World underwear parties, nude weekends, breakfast, outdoor gang shower; Leather and Bear Weekends.

Dune Point Guest House (134 Lewis Walk, Cherry Grove; 631-597-6261), secluded rental apartments studios, one and two bedrooms, by the day, week or month.

Grove Hotel (1 Ocean Walk, Cherry Grove; 631-597-6600), newly rebuilt hotel at the heart of Cherry Grove, steps from beach, restaurants, shops, dance clubs and bars in same complex as the Ice Palace. Poolside rooms have Juliette balconies.

The Hotel (Harbor Park; 917-336-3609), 'popup' hotel within the 30-room Botel, caters to a twenty-something lower budget crowd, with quad occupancy room bunk beds next to the Pavilion, shared baths, private lockers, and free WiFi.

The Madison (22 Atlantic Walk, Pines; 631-597-6061), guest house just off the beach, with pool and pool deck, roof deck, hot tub, all-room satellite TV and internet, massage therapists by appointment.

Pine Bluff Overlook (362 Ocean Walk, Pines; 631-597-3064), all-season delux apartments, full kitchens, satellite TV/DVD; rooms with private baths, refrigerators, iPod players, WiFi, swimming pool, roof-top Jacuzzi with ocean and bay views.

The Two Thirty Three Bay (233 Bay Walk), a waterfront Queen's Retreat presided over by Butch, aka Boubou the Crested Chinese Powder Puff, with Barbies in your nightstand, large heated pool, 6-person hot tub, Potbelly fireplace, outdoor dining, Apple TV, and a Drag Closet collection of wigs, dresses, boots, accessories, hats and tutus. Aka The Social Pig.

See Sharegurl for lodgings at The Hotel by ShareGurl (Harnor Park), The Pines Club, and home rentals in the Pines, "from affordable studios to baller oceanfronts."

 

Bars, Clubs & Restaurants

Blue Whale (Harbor Park, Pines), Marina Bar + Grill dining nightly except Wednesdays, weekend & holiday drag brunch, nightly Low Tea, weekend Piano Bar.

Canteen (Harbor Park, Pines), pool and harbor-side cafe, beer, wine, cocktails, sandwiches, burgers, salads, pasta, meat and fish entrees.

Cherry's on the Bay (158 Bayview Walk, Cherry Grove), busy cocktail bar and restaurant open 10am-4am daily, with bay side deck, great sunset vistas; also with dinner and drag shows, theme parties, contests; weekend late-night and Saturday breakfast and Sunday brunch.

Floyd's (Bayview Walk, Cherry Grove), gourmet sandwiches, breakfast wraps and scrambles, muffins and oatmeal, huevos rancheros -- daily from 7am.

Ice Palace (Ocean Walk, Cherry Grove), at the Grove Hotel, with dancing, pool games, drag and comedy shows, big-name entertainment, large outdoor deck, indoor/outdor pool, Friday DW World underwear parties; Sunday T-Dance, mixed crowd of men and women.

Island Breeze (178 Bayview Walk, Cherry Grove), relaxed restaurant near the dock, with reliably good American food, reasonable prices and Great South Bay views. Nice for afternoon and early evening drinks, and open in September.

Pavilion (37 Fire Island Blvd, Pines), late-night dance parties Memorial Day to Labor Day, star DJs, dancing ‘til dawn or later. New York City-style sound and lights; drag shows and performance events. High T Deck area, just outside the Pavilion, cocktails and outdoor conversation space.

Pines Bistro & Martini Bar (36 Fire Island Blvd), the Pines’ only full-time, sit-down, dinner-only restaurant/ refined cocktail lounge: Continental cuisine, traditional favorites and daily/ seasonal specials.

Pines Pizza (Harbor Park, Pines), pizza restaurant, salads, take-away meal, all-day coffee and ice cream stop with deck over Fire Island Boulevard. Also at Pines, the Juice Bar has delicious and healthy snacks.

Pool Deck (Harbor Park, Pines), massive pool deck behind The Hotel, with cabanas, designer pool furniture, with lunch and drinks service poolside and outdoor gym; pool parties, performances, contests, movies, afternoon and evening dance parties.

Sand Castle on the Ocean (106 Lewis Walk, Cherry Grove), restaurant/ piano bar, open daily, kitchen closed Wednesdays, lunch, dinner, raw bar, wines by the glass, Sunday signature breakfast.

Sip n' Twirl (36 Fire Island Blvd, Pines), newly rebuilt nightclub dancing, lounge and deck, open nightly, with drag shows and popular DJs, Friday through Tuesday 7-10pm tea dances.

Top of the Bay Bistro (1 Dock Walk, Cherry Grove), "nouvo-style" restaurant overlooking the Great South Bay, American Nouveau cuisine, classically trained chef, gay piano bar live entertainment, sunset views.

On the mainland side of the bay, the Long Island Eagle (94 N Clinton Ave, Bay Shore) is a bar for all kinds of men, with outdoor Vernda, the only gay bar In Suffolk County. The Long Island Ravens no longer meet here - see their website for upcoming events and venues.

 

Shopping & services

FIG - Fire Island Goods (160 Main Walk, Cherry Grove), casual and beachwear, cards, crafts, gifts, toiletries.

General Store (Harbor Walk, Pines), clothing lines, swim and underwear, household and grooming goods, books and other everyday needs, 10am-10pm daily.

Gym (Harbor Walk, Pines), exercise from weights to cardio, indoor and outdoor exercise areas, training services and classes.

The Pines Gallery (37 Fire Island Blvd, Pines), featuring artists from Fire Island Pines; paintings, sculputure and photography exhibits, artworks for sale.

Tola (Harbor Walk, Pines), small town boutique/ big time vibe; gifts for all affairs, creative home accessories, local jewelry, and clothing for him, her and the kids.

Other Cheery Grove shops include: Cherry Grove Market natural/ organic food products; Cherry Grove Liquors; Cherry Grove Pizza; Goodies General Store; Grove Flowers; Rainbow Dreams dress-up and party needs; and Sweet Licks ice cream, cakes, coffees, smoothies, and iced drinks.

 

Fire Island in September

Largely empty beaches, warm surf and an abundance of nature greet post-Labor Day travelers. The weather, which often features balmy days and crisp nights through mid-October, is one of the reasons many are fond of the off-season, also the still-warm ocean water temperatures and the colors of autumn leaves.
The off-season isn't for everyone however. Those who like the easy socializing of the summer months may be put off by the mostly deserted boardwalks in the fall. Many businesses in the Pines and Cherry Grove close, so there are fewer options for meals or nights on the town.

In previous seasons in Cherry Grove the Miss Fire Island contest took place at the Grove Hotel, and singing diva Porsche continued her shows at the Ice Palace. The Arts Project of Cherry Grove showcased "Families of Cherry Grove" an exhibit of photography, and they staged theater productions through the end of September with Circus Side Show. Cherry's On the Bay and the Island Breeze are among the local restaurants that typically stay open on weekends through Columbus Day (if the weather cooperates, of course).
In the Pines, DJs would spin at the Pavilion/ Glo Lounge until mid-September. The uniquely Pines experience known as Tea also ran through the second weekend in September. A large number of Pines residents commemorate the Jewish High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur on the beach.

"People think summer is over as soon as Labor Day hits," says Adam Weaver, marketing director of Fire Island Pines Operations. "Really, Fire Island has some of its most beautiful beach days in September. I know because I finally get to go, because I'm not as busy."