North Fork summers are about good vino, seafaring fare and waterfront vistas. All the while, live music can provide the soundtrack to an afternoon or evening. Restaurants, wineries, parks and entertainment venues have live music schedules designed to provide the soundtrack to all an East End summer offers. Whether it’s a casual afternoon overlooking the vineyard, a dance party in a park by the water or a more traditional concert at a retro venue on Main St., these are the top spots and dates to find live music this summer on the North Fork.
Sunshine Sessions at Orient Beach State Park
This cool music series is held every Tuesday at 4 p.m. outside the Sunshine Shack snack bar in Orient. Acts include Paris Ray, Jon Divello, Julia King, REEB, the HooDoo Loungers and more.
Mattituck Parks District, Veterans Park, Great Peconic Bay Blvd.
Bands, beer and beachfront highlight the Veterans Park Summer Concert Series in Mattituck. The first piece, bands, are TBD, but the series will involve five days (June 8, July 6, July 20, Aug. 10 and Aug. 13). Concerts run from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. A biergarten will also be on-site, so guests can toast to good tunes and times. On-site parking is available, and the concerts are free.
Pindar Vineyards, 37645 NY-25, Peconic, 631-734-6200
Pindar Vineyards’ summer calendar is brimming with opportunities to sip vino and savor music. Sangria Tuesdays start on July 2 with Erin Chase, who will also return on July 16. The deck bar will be rocking from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunset Fridays also kick off in July when George Barry takes the stage — again, the music starts at 4 p.m. and doesn’t stop until 8 p.m. Weekends will also feature live acts. Circle the following Fourth of July Weekend Dates in red on the calendar: July 6 will feature Best Shot, The Pat Benatar Tribute Band, and Eagle River Band will take the stage from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. on July 7. Other tribute bands include ones celebrating Janis Joplin (July 13) and Amber Ferrari (July 27). Blankets and lawn chairs are welcome.
Terra Vite North Fork Winery & Vineyard, 250 Manor Ln., Jamesport, 631-722-3416
This spacious vineyard with a boutique tasting room at times flies under the radar on the North Fork. But the white Merlot and live music scene are worth checking out. Summer acts include Moriches native and pop-folk-indie artist eff LeBlanc (July 6 and Aug. 10) and the Earthtones (July 13 and Aug. 3). Or, grab a mic yourself for karaoke nights, happening July 5 and Aug. 2.
Bedell Cellars 36225 Main Road, Cutchogue, 631-734-7537
Speaking of vineyards, music and Jeff LeBlanc, Bedell Cellars also hits all these notes with their summer concert calendar. The aforementioned LeBlanc is on tap for Wine-Down Wednesday (June 26, 4 p.m.), the first act of that weekly date of the annual summer series. Other acts include Ahmad Ali (July 3) and Robin Sidor (July 17). Saturday and Sunday afternoons are also full of live tunes.
The Suffolk, 118 E Main St., Riverhead, 631-727-4343
Many of the North Fork’s summer music series are bring-your-own-towel, al fresco affairs. The Suffolk’s indoor 1930s art-deco digs provide a more traditional (and weather-proof) indoor alternative. Summer shows include Live and Let Die: The Music of Paul McCartney (June 14), a millennial-forward night with Boy Band Brunch (June 23) and Glen Burtnick’s Summer of Love concert that’ll bring back memories of Woodstock (July 30).
PORT Waterfront Bar & Grill, 104 3rd St., Greenport, 631-333-2501
This laidback-yet-happenin’ seafood eatery on the water is loved for its approachable vibes, fare and summer music. Local legends slated to take the stage include LeBlanc (June 24) and Gene Casey (July 20 and 28). The tunes run from 8 to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 1-4 p.m. on Sundays.
Dances In the Park, Mitchell Park, Greenport
Sunday scaries? Not when Dances in the Park is slated for Mondays, which kicks off in July and August. This year’s lineup will bring an eclectic mix of rock, country, reggae, Latin, blues and funk to Mitchell Park on Greenport’s Front Street. Gene Casey & the Lone Sharks open the series (July 1), with MJT (July 29), Southbound (Aug. 19) and Winston Irie (Aug. 26) also tapped to perform. The event punctuates with a Battle of the Bands on Sept. 2 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Green Hill Kitchen & Que, 48 Front St., Greenport, 631-477-4900
This come-as-you-are joint regularly serves up live music as delectable as the BBQ fare. Live acts perform Fridays and Saturdays from 7 to 10 p.m., including the classic rock-blues band Somehow Sorry (June 21, July 20 and Aug. 3) and the funk-soul sounds of Hoodoo Loungers (July 13 and Aug. 10).
Seaside Grill, 451 E Main St., Riverhead, 631-574-8103
This bustling eatery, with waterfront vistas, is loved for its margaritas, bustling happy hours, and live music. While the summer slate isn’t out yet, live tunes are a regular affair in these parts. Live acts typically perform on weekends from 6 to 9 p.m. outside, weather permitting. When a professional musician isn’t on the schedule, you can take the stage and channel your inner Cher or Shania (or Taylor?) — Thursday nights feature karaoke, alongside trivia and a lobster bake.
Silversmith’s Corner, Southold
Mums the word on the official schedule or start date for this year’s al fresco concerts. But it appears they’ll once again be on Wednesday evenings. Gene Casey & The Lone Sharks, who opened last year’s series, will once again perform at the village gazebo on July 31 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Bring a long chair and enjoy some tunes for the best price of all: Free. And the show must go on rain or shine. If it rains, the concerts move indoors to the Southold Rec Center at 970 Peconic Lane in Peconic.
Alive on 25, Downtown Riverhead
The anticipated annual street fair returns for another go-around on July 5 and Aug. 9. (Rain dates July 19 and Aug. 23). Expect food from local restaurants, beers from local breweries and live music on several stages. Acts are TBD, though they’ll likely be a highlight alongside fireworks (July 5 at 9 p.m.) and a laser show (Aug. 9 at 9 p.m.). The festival gets underway at 5 p.m. on both nights.
