The best of the Hamptons 2019: Parties, restaurant trends, events, more

SoulCycle's The Barn in Bridgehampton. 

Hamptons Classic: Year 44

One of the largest annual equestrian events held in the county—takes place around 65-acre showgrounds in Bridgehampton.

Carlos Beltran at Operation Rise Up Gala

Carlos Beltran could find himself back in the Mets dugout as manager. 

Matisyahu does double-duty

Grammy Award-nominated reggae rocker Matisyahu is using Labor Day Weekend to do a teeny-tour of the Hamptons starting 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 at Sole East (90 Second House Rd., Montauk) for a free show; no RSVP required. (Space is limited, guarantee your entry with VIP table reservations; 631-668-2105, soleeast.com). He'll then do his thing again 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1 at Stephen Talkhouse (161 Main St., Amagansett); tickets are $110-$130; 631-267-3117, stephentalkhouse.com

Oscar G spins at Hedge Club Southampton

Perhaps the most famous mixer to appear this season in the Hamptons, Miami-based Oscar G (aka Oscar Gaetan) is a true international celebrity DJ who has a following around the world. Aside from his work on the club and concert scene, his earlier efforts with production teams Funky Green Dogs and Murk (with fellow DJ Ralph Falcon) spawned club anthems like 2003's "Dark Beat" and 1996's "Fired Up." He'll be turning knobs (alongside Long Island's own DJ Theo) 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 at Hedge Club Southampton (125 Tuckahoe Lane; 631-807-5001, hedgeclubsh.com); tickets start at $20 and are available online in advance at eventbrite.com. (Call 631-807-5001 to secure VIP table service.)

Lee Kalt at Brooklyn Chop House Southampton

Celebrity DJ Lee Kalt plays hotspots around the world, but come the summer is a familiar face in the Hamptons. He'll be bringing his signature funky, earthy style to Brooklyn Chop House Southampton (281 County Rd 39A; 212-619-1200, brooklynchophouse.com/sh) 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31. However, there's day parties Saturday ( DJ Claudius) and Sunday ( DJ Scratch) with a white party Sunday day--so make sure to wear your liveliest snowy duds when attending. Make lunch or dinner reservations to gain entry during the day; no cover.

Wainwright, Mizrahi: ‘friends’ of Jenni Muldaur

Grammy Award-nominated singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright (pictured) is back in the Hamptons with fashion luminary Isaac Mizrahi as part of the "Jenni Muldaur & Friends in Concert" program 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 at Guild Hall (158 Main St., East Hampton); tickets are $55-$150, 631-324-4050, guildhall.org

Tea Dance with Karin Ward

DJ Karin Ward has been a star on the fabulous party circuit for years, spinning in the Hamptons, on Fire Island and in NYC, among other cities and places. She'll be on wheels 4 p.m.-8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1 at The Maidstone (207 Main St., East Hampton; 631-324-5006, themaidstone.com) for a LGBTQ+ friendly Tea Dance for no cover.

The 'Wow' powwow returns

The 73st annual Shinnecock Indian Nation Powwow kicks off 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30 and then picks up again 10 a.m. start time Aug. 31-Sept. 2 at 1 West Church St. in Southampton (on the reservation). Benefiting the Shinnecock tribe, it's a show that has been a favorite on the Island for generations, it will once again feature traditional Native American dancing, food, arts and vendor items, admission is $12 adults, $10 for children ages 6-12, seniors and veterans with military ID; children ages five and younger are free, parking is free. Call 631-283-6143 for more information.

Celebrating Jules Feiffer’s 90th B-day

A winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the writer behind the Academy Award-winning animated short "Munro," cartoonist and author Jules Feiffer has already celebrated his 90th birthday this year in January--but a group of celebrated actors including F. Murray Abraham (pictured), Mercedes Ruehl, Harris Yulin are belatedly marking the occasion 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1 with a reading of Feiffer's play "A Bad Friend" at Guild Hall (158 Main St., East Hampton); expect an intimate experience marked with conversation. Tickets are $30-$75; 158 Main St., East Hampton; 631-324-4050, guildhall.org

Party Mondays at Memory

Believe it or not, one of the longest running parties in the Hamptons actually takes place on Mondays -- namely the industry night that now occurs at Memory Motel. It started about 19 years ago at the long-gone Star Room in Wainscott, then moved to the now-defunct Georgica before settling at Memory. DJ Matty Nice will be on the wheels at this shindig where East End DJs, bartenders and other hospitality workers hang; party starts after 10:30 p.m., no cover. 692 Montauk Hwy., Montauk; 631-668-2702, @thememorymotel

Amazing view (and monster lobster rolls, too) at George's

The ownership of George's Lighthouse Cafe in Montauk has a secret -- a lobster roll with more than a pound of meat. You won't find it on the menu; you must ask for it and fork over $100 for one. The spot is doing live music Fridays through Sundays from 3 to 6 p.m. George's also has a daily happy hour from 5 to 6 p.m. which offers $5 Montauk Hard Label Blueberry Lemonades, and features a terrace that overlooks the ocean. When you combine its views of the Atlantic, the hamlet's iconic lighthouse and breathtaking sunsets, it's hard to find another venue on the Island with so much to stare at, all at once. 1999 Montauk Point State Pkwy., Montauk; 631-668-2076; closes daily at sunset.

Brunch on Sundays at Nick & Toni's

Nick & Toni's is open all year but come the summer, you can expect the celebrity customer count to jump up. Its food is an annual hit with famous faces, but an easy way to sample its wares is to check out Sunday brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., featuring items like bread pudding French toast, an oven-roasted hanger steak with poached eggs, or Penne alla Vecchia Bettola, not to mention the wood-fired pizza. 136 North Main St., East Hampton; 631-324-3550, nickandtonis.com

goop MRKT arrives in Sag Harbor

The goop beauty, fashion and wellness brand from Gwyenth Paltrow is back in the Hamptons, and it's got more than just its signature collections of homewares, products for the body, jewelry and clothing to offer. The pop-up store (open until Sept. 15; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily) has a cozy courtyard where it will host events -- both public and private. Check goop.com for what's happening. A family-friendly bonus: The store has a kids corner with crayons and coloring books so your young ones can stay entertained while you peruse the goods. 4 Bay St. Sag Harbor.

Pingpong plus DJs at The 324 in East Hampton

The 324, at 44 Three Mile Harbor Rd., East Hampton, is open and launching perhaps the most unique weekly bash in the Hamptons this season -- pingpong parties.  Friday, May 24, and every Friday through the summer, workspace center The Spur and 324 will host Spur SPIN Hamptons,  which is connected to the SPIN national table tennis club chain. The weekly event will include DJs and live entertainment; $20 at the door. 631-324-3329; the324events.com

Hampton Bays' Beach Bar back for Season 27

Unlike many Hamptons spots, Beach Bar, at 58 Foster Ave., Hampton Bays, already held its season opener, but that doesn't mean Memorial Day weekend won't be wild. Resident DJ Doug and special guest, DJ  Unique, will be on the knobs after 9 p.m. Friday, May 24, while the long-lived Drift Inn shindig is on Saturdays through the season; 631-723-3100, beachbarhamptons.com.