Claudio's in Greenport changing its name after 155 years

Greenport is getting a face-lift this spring — Claudio’s, the venerable dockside restaurant complex that has been in business since 1870, is rebranding its eateries and bringing in new upscale dining concepts that will debut Easter weekend.

Its main restaurant, Claudio's Tavern & Grill, will reopen as Charlie Boy, an all-day Italian American cafe with a modern twist. The al fresco dining spot perched right on the harbor dock, Crabby Jerry's, becomes Common Country East, an offshoot of the trendy Common Ground East in East Hampton serving elevated bar fare alongside frozen drinks and a curated selection of beer and whiskey.

In an emailed statement, managing partner Celeste Fierro described the changes to the 2-acre waterfront complex as an evolution to offer "more enjoyable and elevated dining experiences." It follows a recently announced expansion to open a Claudio's at the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas, which Fierro said at the time "has been in the works for two years of planning and plotting" and is part of a larger effort to update Claudio's branding to appeal to a younger demographic.

"We wanted to change it to make it a little more sophisticated," she said.

The history of Claudio’s dates to the whaling era on the East End, when ships docked in Greenport for supplies to prepare for their lengthy voyages. In 1854, the Portuguese whaling ship Neva arrived from the Azores. Whaler Manuel Claudio was on board.

Sixteen years later, he had enough money to open Claudio’s Tavern. A colorful history unfolded, including forays into French cuisine and reported use as a bootlegging stop during Prohibition. It grew into a sprawling complex perched on Peconic Bay as a destination for tourists, day-trippers and vacationers, as well as residents.

In 2018, after 148 years of family ownership, Claudio’s was sold to new owners, ending its run as the oldest family-run establishment in the nation. The original building dates to 1845. 

By Marie Elena Martinez

marieelena.martinez@newsday.com@mariesworlds

A global freelancer who has checked her suitcase to raise her young daughter on her native Long Island, Marie Elena will always make time for good mezcal, even better tacos and killer conversation. Preferably, in a corner bar seat. She can be found on Instagram at @mariesworldeats.