Summer is a great time to re-connect — so why not plan a Shelter Island event? Any get together requires work, but with the help of local businesses and service providers, you can relax and enjoy time with your guests.
Here’s some suggestions for festive activities, catering, event locations and party helpers from our Island Directory.
Festive activities
Naturalist and certified educator Mark Mobius Mark Mobius can lead a group of up to 12 kids on a private EcoDiscovery Experience right here on Shelter Island. He’ll set up an outing of fun and learning that’s a great option for a child’s birthday party or a family reunion. Participants will build things, dig things, climb things, get dirty, set insect traps, and generally have a blast while learning about nature.
Hire Shelter Island Party Rental to create a Backyard Movie Night featuring an inflatable screen sized to fit the number of guests. Whether you want to watch a feature film or home movies, let this professional crew run the show for you. As the name suggests, the company can help with all your party needs, including tent, furniture and party equipment rentals, including photo booths. Call to begin planning your next event, 516-659-7509.
Let Tubby Charters guide your next fishing expedition. Four-hour charters — morning or afternoon — include all the gear, bait and tackle you need. And, your catch will be cleaned and filleted. If you’re more interested in the beautiful scenery, opt for a three-hour around the island sunset cruise. Perfect for small groups. Bring your own picnic and favorite bottle and enjoy the captain’s stories about Shelter Island history.
Get close to nature when you rent with Kayak Shelter Island for a fun outing on the water. Groups can be arranged for a single or double kayak or try a paddle board. Enjoy a guided tour, discover the Coecles Harbor Marine Water Trail or explore on your own among the serene protected creeks and harbors.
Catering
Whether you’re planning an event in your own home or another site, it’s good to have help with the food service.
A unique Shelter Island vendor, The Lettuce Lady offers artful salads that will delight your guests. They’re delicious works of art with inventive flavor combinations like Sweet Pimento Arugula, Cantaloupe Endive Butterhead and Strawberry Mozzarella Spinach.
Marie Eiffel Market will not only prepare, deliver and serve, but also help you create your menu. Wedding brunch, baby show lunch or picnic dinner, Marie can help you plan events large and small for take-away or full service at your location.
Whether you’re throwing a festive Mexican brunch for weekend guests, packing a picnic lunch for a group outing to the beach, or serving a crowd at a buffet dinner, Lydia and Pepe Martinez of STARs Café can help. With 15 years in service at just about every venue on the Island, they’ve got you covered from breakfast burritos to birthday cakes, and everything in between!
Looking for a completely original food sensation at your party, then consider King Andrew Cheese to cater your event. Complete with a covered wagon, guests will certainly have something unique to talk about. These two cheese afficionados will enhance your private event with their showpiece wagon and stellar selection of cheeses and cured meats. Also available for delivered platters, trays and gift baskets.
Event locations
If you prefer to host your event off-site, try one of these Shelter Island locations.
For a show-stopper Shelter Island view, try the bluff at Dering Harbor Inn. It’s a great location whether you’re planning a birthday party, family reunion or even a grand wedding. You can outfit the grounds to suit for up to 150 guests. The inn maintains a list of approved vendors who know the space and can help you sort our details. To learn more, speak with Dering Harbor Inn management at 631-749-0900.
The Café at the Dering Harbor Inn offers an indoor space that can spill out onto a patio, all with views of Dering Harbor. At the café — part of Moussa Dramé’s Shelter Island Yoga and Fitness — Bouchra Dramé serves up authentic Moroccan cuisine, and an array of fresh juices. If you prefer, you can hire your own caterer. Imagine a private wellness class for your friends followed by a delicious meal in the café. Venue caps guests at 100.
With its festive nautical backdrop — think halyards clinking against masts and waves lapping at the hulls of docked boats — SALT Waterfront Bar & Grill at the Island Boatyard already feels like a party. The main dining room has tented dockside seating for up to 35 guests. There’s also a unique separate outdoor spot complete with a land boat turned bar, called The Shipwreck — perfect if your event includes live music. SALT can also provide catering at The Boathouse, with an 80-foot waterside deck and lofty interior space that fits up to 175 guests.
If panoramic views from one of the highest points on the Island are your fancy, look no further than the breezy Shelter Island Country Club with on-site catering from The Flying Goat Restaurant. Seating is provided on a wrap-around porch with views of Dering Harbor and the Peconic Bays, or at picnic tables overlooking the nine-hole golf course. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the clubhouse is part of the Shelter Island Heights Historic District and is gearing up to celebrate 120 years of entertaining Islanders and visitors alike.
Comfort and history abound at Shelter Island House. Set among gorgeous gardens with a covered porch, intimate dining room and full bar, this chic inn is a great place to celebrate anniversaries, engagements, showers or birthdays. Friendly staff and onsite Osprey Bar & Lounge will assist you in creating a successful event. As a bonus, book a room or suite for out of town guests or spoil yourself with a mini staycation — you’re throwing party for Pete’s sake! Call for details, 631-749-1633.
At Sunset Beach, the name says it all — the place is a beach, the view is the bay and the glory is the sunset. Whether you’re looking to host a dinner party with friends under the starry skies or a luncheon where everyone can have their feet in the sand, your guests will love the vibe.
White Oak Wine Garden, Wine tasting, a beautiful garden and live music on weekends sure sounds like a fine setting for a party. You and your guests can sit back and relax while the friendly staff pours you a flight of their very own label or other local boutique wines. Kick back in the lush private gardens with friends.
At Vine Street Café, you can choose an indoor or outdoor setting to host your event. Whether you take over part of the restaurant or book the tent, guests will love the classic American bistro menu and professional staff. Prefer hosting your own event but need some delicious platters, then order some take away from the Vine Street Market.
Party helpers
Who among us hasn’t cleaned up before a party only to wonder why bother since it just needs to be done again. Rather than do all that work yourself, hire Beth Santillo Cleaning. She’ll send over a reliable crew to spruce your place up before your event, and/or tidy it up afterwards.
Don’t let that ugly shed you’ve been meaning to get rid of deter you from hosting a gathering. Silver Lab Property Management stands ready to help you beautify your home and make quick repairs. Get rid of those eyesores, toss the clutter and party on!
East End Tick and Mosquito Control, cares about the health and well being of your family and friends so if you are considering a back yard bash in a setting that is also a host to the deer population consider treating your lawn and shrubs with a combination of organic and synthetic products to keep your guests safe and comfortable. Preventing a tick bite or an uncomfortable mosquito bite is sure to give you peace of mind.
