Tucked away off the East Hampton Village parking lot, The Blue Parrot is not easily found by the general public. But once discovered, this quirky, laid-back Tex-Mex bar and restaurant that came on the scene 38 years ago has now become a favorite watering hole for locals, summer renters, and celebrities.
The Blue Parrot received its name back in 1989 when founder Lee Bieler a Montauk/Hawaii duel citizen was at his winter home in Hawaii. While in the Aloha state Lee frequented a Mexican restaurant called The Blue Parrot (but in Spanish). A light went off in his head. The rest is East Hampton folklore. In those days, Jimmy Buffet would do an unscheduled set or two and then stay to watch the screening, as in movie screen, of some surf movie that local surfers might be in. Times have changed.
2015 has been a huge year for the Parrot. The “A” list of celebrites have slipped through its doors this year for private parties or just to sample long time chef (30 years) Rico Martinez’s daily specials. Recently the Parrot was in the News just last week when Jimmy Buffet hosted a party to celebrate Bill Murray’s new movie, Rock the Kasbah. In the 1980’s a partying Bill Murray left with a poster from a bathroom one summer night.
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Buffet’s Parrot Party was all “A” list including President Clinton, Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi (one of the Blue Parrot’s owners) Roger Waters, and many others.
A final note: Back in 2004-5 when I had a remedial job at the Blue Parrot, Ron Perlman, now also an owner, used to have a very soft spot for the Parrot’s special margarita mix sometimes ordering a special batch for his jet. I feel the reason he owns a piece now is because his daughter used to love to lunch there with him when she she was barely in her teens. I am glad the place is back, there was a time it was even opened all winter with a huge Karaoke night!
