'Up Stirrs At Claudio's,' New Cocktail Lounge, Opens In Greenport

GREENPORT, NY — A new cocktail lounge opened at the iconic Claudio's in Greenport Friday: Up Stirrs at Claudio's is a new cocktail lounge located on the fully renovated second floor of the main restaurant.

The space includes a bar and lounge featuring 28 carefully crafted cocktails infused with local ingredients created by Beverage Director Brian Sassen, according to new owners.

The space, which will be open year round, is designed for North Fork customers who are looking for a late-night drinking scene and live music, staffers said.

Claudio’s Restaurant opened its doors for the season with a fresh look and feel throughout the iconic two-story venue — and Friday marks the grand opening of ‘Up Stirrs at Claudio's,' which boasts a private dining wine cellar, lunch and dinner seating, and an ideal setting for private events for up to 75 guests with views of the property and waterfront, owners said.

"The new lounge concept leans into the recent shift in the North Fork scene that attracts consumers with a taste for specialty crafted cocktails and a late-night dance card," the release said. "Designed around a beautiful bar whose focal point is an original hand-carved ship nestled among selected spirit brands, the space is complemented by original Claudio’s Prohibition and iconic 1920s photography."

New cocktail offerings include the Hotel Nacional, a Cuban classic named after the famous Havana hotel from the 1930s and the Atlantis, which replaces rum and apricot with genever and mastiha. All ingredients and mixers are either juiced fresh in house or made from scratch, including all syrups, the release said

The space, owners said, aims to create "a vibrant gathering spot for locals and industry folks, alongside visitors, that want to enjoy great music and delicious drinks within an iconic venue."

Up Stirrs at Claudio’s will be open all year, featuring weekly Wednesday and Friday Late Nights from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. with live music/DJ at 10 p.m.

Claudio's in Greenport opened for the season in May, just in time for Memorial Day weekend.

According to a press representative for new owners Perry Weitz, David Weitz, Ian Behar and Ryan Sasson, the new bar area at Claudio's with white granite high top tables "will be the place to be this summer."

Sassen, former beverage director of The Albion Hotel in South Beach joined the Claudio's team and is in charge of the bar program.

"As for the summer I know people want to get their frozen cocktails on," Sassen said. "I like to blend — no pun intended — the classics with the frozen. Fro-groni, a frozen negroni, will be light, refreshing, slightly bitter and strawberry forward. The gin will be infused with ripe strawberries, and Aperol will be added to the mix, as well. The newly renovated upstairs bar will feature a lounge setting with a modern cocktail vibe. It's going to be loud and energetic, featuring an array of cocktails. I'll have a bar lab set up in the back for all the scratch ingredients and fresh squeezed juices," he said.

In addition, owners said, guests "will be vying for the cozy romantic banquettes in the front window; those in the know will be asking for table # 50 or 51."

Highlights of the Claudio's menu include Local Diver Sea Scallops with Lightly Caramelized, Potato-Horseradish Purée, Honey Crisp Apple Salad, and Bacon Jus and Claudio's Famous Lobster Roll.

Meanwhile, according to the new owners, "the party scene will be at The Wharf, where nautical attire is always in fashion."

The newly renovated wharf, a media rep said, has undergone a complete rebuild to update the docks and bulkhead. Improvements include a new bar, boasting more comfortable seating, a new stage for The Wharf's live performances, and a retractable Pergola to allow the sunshine and evening skies through while compensating for inclement weather.

The Wharf, formerly, Claudio's Clam Bar, has seating on the water as does Crabby Jerry's. Claudio's Restaurant, however, does not have outdoor seating — and, while that was the plan for the season, they "couldn't make it happen this year," a media representative said.

A longtime chapter in Greenport history came to a close in 2018: After more than 147 years owned by the same family, Claudio's was sold.

In a message on the business' Facebook page, owners wrote: "To our many wonderful friends, fans and loyal patrons: Kathy, Bill, Janice, Beatsy and the late Jerry Tuthill — the Claudio/Tuthill family — would like to publicly announce the sale of our businesses, Claudio's Restaurant, Claudio's Clam Bar and Crabby Jerry's. While this marks the end of a long era for our family, we believe it also serves as a new beginning for the property, one which we hope will be filled with innovation and growth."

The iconic name lives on, the post said.

"Things will be different, but we are also pleased to share that some things will remain the same. The Claudio name will live on with the property and all three eateries will continue to serve, inviting you all to come and make new memories each season, as in so many seasons past," the Claudio family said.

Claudio's had been the oldest single-family run restaurant in the country. The property had been on the market since 2015.