Fisherman's Quarters, formerly known for it's late night crowd, has a new owner — Ray Sweeney, who also owns 4 N Main Gallery in Southampton Village, purchased the bar, renovated it and gave it a new name.
Now called , Sweeney hopes to reinvigorate the roadside bar, transforming it into a local watering hole, featuring music, tap beer and eventually local art.
"We are trying to make it a place where everyone feels welcome," said Sweeney.
Since taking it over in at the end of June, Sweeney has gutted a large part of the bar, ripping out the ceiling and pulling up the flooring and replacing it with new wood. He also created a carpeted stage space that features a Steinway piano that he recently picked up from an estate sale. At some point, he said he will replace the bar.
"This places has a lot of potential," said Sweeney, adding, "We are a neighborhood bar first."
And in that tradition, Sweeney, a retired New York City firefighter, said his business plan includes serving simple, home-cooked meals.
"We won't be opening any plastic bags of food," he said.
The bar also, he said, closes at 11 p.m. each night and features local bands on Thursday, Friday and Sunday nights and bingo on Wednesday evenings.
"We have the best music," he said.
Eventually, Sweeney said he'd like to bring in local artists to coat the walls with their work.
"Slowly, but surely we will create something unique," he said.
