Party brunches on Long Island: Where to find music, mimosa towers and more

When it comes to brunch on Long Island, the landscape is changing. With COVID-19 restrictions lifted, brunch culture is alive again, with restaurants adding breakfast-meets-lunch offerings often powered by DJs or with live music that makes the meal more like a day-long party. 

“We call it social dining,” says John Cestare, co-owner of the year-old Ainsworth in Rockville Centre, where a DJ cranks up the volume on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and celebratory desserts are served with sparklers. "People feel like it can be a Saturday night, but they’re really at Sunday brunch.”

At Kyma in Roslyn, co-owner Reno Christou recently launched a party vibe brunch on Saturdays, when the Greek restaurant would normally be closed for private parties. “It’s since taken on a life of its own,” he said, describing it as a "very, very vibrant and fun" experience that's "full of energy."

Here's where brunch is more like a daytime celebration on Long Island:

Avenue Social Kitchen and Cocktails 

106 Bedford Ave., Bellmore

This chic and gastropub offers Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with fan-favorites such as banana bread French toast bites, eggs Benedicts, sweet and savory flatbreads, avocado toast and burgers. Mimosa towers ($35 for a one-liter version suggested for two to three people) are available in traditional, mango, passion fruit and strawberry flavors. DJs spin every weekend, mixing modern to freestyle tunes. More info: 516-900-1660, avenuesocialkitchen.com

The Nutty Irishman

323 Main St., Farmingdale

This pub pairs bingo and brunch on Sundays from noon to 2 p.m. Those 21 and up can try their hand at the free game while eating its popular corned beef hash served with potatoes and sunny-side-up eggs; Tex-Mex omelettes; or breakfast tacos, with scrambled eggs, cheese and pico de Gallo. Five rounds of bingo are played throughout the two-hour time span. Players compete for restaurant merch and other prizes. Customers can pair  entrees with $17 bottomless mimosas, bloody marys or screwdrivers. Its regular menu of burgers, quesadillas and other bar food is available, too. More info: 516-293-9700, thenuttyirishman.com

The Ainsworth

210 Merrick Rd., Rockville Centre

A certain level of energy is required to brunch at this rustic-meets-chic sports bar. There’s a more family-oriented vibe starting at 10 a.m., but once the DJ comes on at noon on Saturdays and at 1 p.m. on Sundays, you can expect a pumped up crowd. Listen to top hits and throwbacks provided by a DJ while feasting on items from an eclectic menu -- a brunch board with morning staples, creative pancakes in varieties like cinnamon roll and cannoli crumb cake, s’mores waffles, Nutella-stuffed French toast, steak and eggs and 24k gold-dusted, coconut butter-chipotle-honey wings. There’s a pre-set menu for parties of 10 or more. General manager-meets-brunch host Gerry O'Donnell is a constant fixture going table-to-table. More info: 516-442-2600; theainsworth.com/rockville-centre

The Cuban

987 Stewart Ave. in Garden City and 95 W. Main St., Patchogue

At this lively spot, brunch is served with a Cuban flare on the weekends from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Order mojito French toast, a  challah bread that's topped with powdered sugar and served with fruit compote and syrup. There’s also a sweet nacho dish dubbed the “rumba Cubana nachos,” featuring fried tortilla chips dusted with cinnamon and topped with caramel and fruit. Pancakes, huevos Cubano and omelettes are available, too. For $14.50, add unlimited mimosas, bloody marys or champagne punch. All can be had while listening to live samba and Cuban music. Indoor and outdoor seating is available. More info: thecubanny.com

Kyma

1446 Old Northern Blvd., Roslyn

The new Saturday brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. features a DJ playing a mix of current music and Mykonos-style playlists, plus bongo players who encourage people to get out of their chairs and participate in the festivities. The restaurant's low-key traditional Sunday brunch continues on. Either way, you'll find a menu encompassing Greek and seafood staples, with appetizers including zucchini and eggplant chips, traditional spinach and feta pie, Greek-style meatballs, grilled octopus and mussels cooked with Santorinian wine and ouzo broth. Breakfast-leaning plates include the usual: eggs, waffles and pancakes. Bottomless bloody marys, mimosas, Bellinis or sangria can be added for $40 (two-hour limit). Parties of 10 or more are required to order from one of three packages starting at $65 a person. More info: 516-621-3700; kyma-roslyn.com

The Local

7 Depot Pl., Babylon

Brunch at this bar near the train station, served Sundays from noon to 3 p.m., involves quirky choices such as a McLocal egg sandwich with fried eggs, American cheese and sausage on an English muffin -- or buttermilk-fried chicken served atop housemade cornbread. Beer can be served in $50 towers good for two to six people. Taps rotate often and include local ales, lager and ciders. On April 24, The Local is hosting "club brunch," in which a DJ is added to the mix. More info: 631-983-8900; localbabylon.com

Southshore Dive

65 Main St., West Sayville

At this pub and kitchen, diners can tap into new brunch eats like gluten-free pancake tacos stuffed with scrambled eggs, scallions, bacon, hash browns, brie cheese and maple mayonnaise; assorted toasts (roasted tomato, lox, avocado and confit apple) ; and breakfast quesadillas.  Mild or spicy bloody marys and mimosas, plus cocktails like the Melon Foamer (vodka, lemon and a sweet melon liqueur champagne foam) are available. Brunch is served on the weekends from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with live music by local acts on Sundays, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Outdoor seating on its refurbished patio is open. More info: 631-218-6500; southshoredive.com