The arrival of elite social clubs in the Hamptons once again has the residents of the luxury beach destination pushing back against their establishment over worries that late-night hours will disrupt their peaceful way of life.
According to a report published on Friday in the Wall Street Journal, the target of the ire of local residents and officials is Scott Sartiano, the owner of the exclusive Manhattan social club Zero Bond. Public figures, including Taylor Swift, Elon Musk, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams are known to frequent the elite Manhattan club.
Scott Sartiano was met with a storm of backlash from the town’s neighbors and local officials when he attempted to bring his business to The Hedges Inn, which is a historic bed and breakfast that was established in the year 1873 in East Hampton Village. The 49-year-old’s new business is positioned and operating as a restaurant even though it was supposed to originally be an extension of the Zero Bond in Manhattan. This development was the result of the local pushback he received on his plans to convert the site into a late-night spot.
According to the report, Sartiano said, “Look, no one’s invested in this more than me. I live next door, right? If it’s not a value add, I’ll be the most screwed.”
The Journal also reports that the East Hampton mayor denies Sartiano’s claim that there is a “vendetta” against him, which the establishment owner asserts.
Both the East Hampton Mayor’s office and Sartiano did not respond to queries from Business Insider during their investigation into the controversy.
The East Hampton Star, a local publication, reported that earlier this year, village officials proposed new legislation to address the concerns of the locals. The legislation stated that in the historical village any “eating and drinking establishment” would be prohibited from staying open between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Due to a previous 1981 agreement, The Hedges Inn was already required to stop serving at 10 p.m.
The proposal was well-received and endorsed by over 30 letters between April and May, according to a report in The East Hampton Star. Residents in the area conveyed their concerns about the quiet residential historic district being disrupted by nightlife associated with late-night establishments.
In June, a local law banning dining at “late-night restaurant clubs” in the historic district between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. was passed, according to a local news report.
Sartiano was not deterred. Despite ongoing protests from local residents, he moved forward with his plans to open the establishment. The Journal reported that the Mayor’s office issued a letter to residents with a number to call to report any disturbances from the village’s historic inns. The mayor’s office defended the letter saying it was sent as clarification due to confusion around the closing time, said The Journal.
Once opened, the restaurant garnered numerous complaints from the locals. On one of the opening nights, a report said a building inspector arrived in response to a complaint. A $35,000 floral installation had been reported as a potential fire hazard. During the restaurant’s dinner hours, according to The Journal’s report, officers have also made appearances due to noise complaints.
Bumper stickers that read “Zero Chance, Neighbors United Against Nightclubs” have appeared, giving locals a way to continue their protest against Zero Bond, Sartiano, and other possible late-night establishments in the Hamptons.
Sartiano’s restaurant may have had a rough beginning, but it appears to be doing well. High-profile figures, like Meghan Markle, have already been spotted at the restaurant during its first month of operations.
