2020 Because of the impact of the Coranavirus some businesses and clubs may not yet have posted information.
Pictured above: Cherry's on the Bay night time.
Below some links to websites or Facebook pages where current information can be found about what is being programmed in the days ahead in Cherry Grove and about various resources for a stay of whatever length for example housing and places to eat.
This guide for those new to the Grove. Just some basic information. And sorry about this, many internet addresses are provided here in this copy but they will have to be pasted into your browser...no direct hyperlinks...that said the links should all be good.
LOOK FOR THE FI STAR
With respect to everything below although this content is reviewed and updated it remains relatively fixed. We do have a companion Facebook page that offers up to the date information more current than the information below. The Fire Island Star facebook page is a FI news service serving Cherry Grove, and Fire Island Pines. Look there for daily posts to keep current ://www.facebook.com/FireIslandStar/
No walks listed for any of these businesses: Cherry Grove is small, but is packed with various clubs, eateries and other businesses, very walkable, everything is located close to each other. Impossible to get lost bu if so ask for directions from anyone around you. If you are in the Grove you are never far from any place you want to go to.
The Ice Palace
The Ice Palace does have a website and it does have a good event calendar to look at. It's also a link to the Grove Hotel and some other services that the website provides like travel information: https://www.icepalacefi.com/
Better than the website for event information is their Facebook page which tends to get updated daily: https://www.facebook.com/IcePalaceFI
Their biggest event is the Friday night Underwear Party which draws a big crowd including men from FI Pines. it will be going into mid September. Week to week probably the event with the largest turnout of men in both the Grove and the Pines.
Cherry’s On the Bay
Cherry's has got a lot of events daily and like the Ice Palace with the weekend more events each day of the weekend.
To get a good idea about what they are doing day to day go to Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Cherrys-On-The-Bay-Cherry-Lane-Restaurant-Bar-497882466940789/
Their website also has more information about what they have to offer and an additional event calendar: http://www.cherrysonthebay.com/. The event calendar on their website gives a good long range view of what the club will be doing during the season. It is currently up to date and you can see events to their closing Survivor's Party in October.
For day trippers this bit of advice...the club along with several other businesses does arrange in September, after Sayville Ferry has cut off most late night service, a special late night boat so that day trippers can attend its end of season events. On the nights those boats run all of Cherry Grove is within reach...just make sure to make that boat home!
Cherry's website: http://www.cherrysonthebay.com/
Island Breeze: not just food but events too but this a business not so keep on a social media presence to announce events way in advance. Best bet to find out what is going on is to stop by and ask.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Island-Breeze/110543635649513.
Cover charges: most clubs do not have a cover charge but there are events held at clubs that do from time to time. If you are asked to pay for club entrance then you have run into one of the exceptional moments when a charge is being asked. If that is a factor there are other venues generally open at the same time without a cover charge: make that your alternative destination.
RESTAURANTS
More places to eat in the Grove than in the Pines
Island Breeze: Indoor restaurant and outside deck facing the Great South Bay and eating on the deck. Want to find out more about their menu and prices: got to check in with them directly by visiting the business.
Top of the Bay Bistro: their website....http://topofthebaycherrygrove.com/.
It's a nicely designed site with menu and other information including the time of its happy hour a good buy.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Top-Of-The-Bay-Restaurant/142786532427156
And not to be forgotten it is called Top of the Bay because that is exactly how you feel inside: great view of the Great South Bay from its second floor where the bar and restaurant can be found.
Cherry Grove Pizza: Not just a pizza place it is an Italian restaurant too: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cherry-Grove-Pizza-Ristorante/158012444210957
And this note about this eatery: open late every day, weekends really late, reasonable prices perhaps the most reasonable in both Cherry Grove and FI Pines for those who are budget minded. Inside for pizza, also eating inside as well and large multiple decks with an overlook of the nearby walk. A great place to people watch. Small garden with benches too immediately outside the business. A place to rest and again to people watch without having to order anything.
Cherry Lane: eatery attached to and part of Cherry on the Bay nightclub. Open every day check the Facebook page of Cherry's on the Bay for their menu specials which often offer very attractive pricing for their meal specials and drink specials too. Also this season the inside space has been upgraded should look newer. Like Cherry Grove Pizza a good place to get a bite with an eye on the ferry that docks nearby and late night drinks too.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cherrys-On-The-Bay-Cherry-Lane-Restaurant-Bar-497882466940789/
And the website for Cherry's also a source of information about the restaurant, menu, hours, pictures, good resource: http://www.cherrysonthebay.com/
Sweet Licks Ice Cream: located near the entrance to the Ice Palace. From their Facebook page this description of what they sell: Sweet Licks serves a variety of Hershey's Ice Cream,smoothies, milkshakes, and pastries! Don't forget to cool off with an iced coffee! Open from April-Oct. Their website for contact information but as with several other businesses in the Grove perhaps the best way about finding out about days of service and times is to stop and ask.
Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/pg/SweetLicksCherryGrove/about/?ref=page_internal
Sand Castle on the Ocean: http://fireislandsandcastle.com/
Most weekend nights the restaurant has music, and special entertainment. Their Facebook page tracks who is playing.Check their website for menu information. Inside eatery and bar, and an outside deck. One of the only two restaurants on all of Fire Island that has a view of the Atlantic Ocean. On their website click "Menu" to get event information as well.
Floyds: This is an early breakfast and lunch eatery. Check their Facebook page for more details but again as with other businesses the best way to find out any particular information...stop by and ask. No website. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/floydsfireisland/about/
And a note about Floyd's generally open between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m.
LODGING
The Grove hotel has re-opened on a partial basis. One of its two floors are open and you can book what is available. Newly renovated rooms and a new configuration of its space brings the hotel into the modern age. Reserve at this link: http://www.grovehotel.com/
Below a listing of available housing options.
Horizons Beach House, Lewis walk: http://horizonbeachhouse.com/
Belvedere Guest House for Men: http://belvederefireisland.com/.
And here is a recently posted video, an interior tour with history of the Belvedere: https://youtu.be/pJz6KagdxK4
Special note: while the Belvedere is clothing optional housing resource more directed towards men during the late not early off season the guest house does have some “Everybody is Welcome” weekends.
Dune Point: a good video…: https://youtu.be/fapFdnXAaYU to see what is offfered here
And contact information: http://www.dunepointfireisland.com/
Rooms in ocean facing building and motel like building off Ocean rooms too.
The Green House...room rentals...
https://www.facebook.com/green.house.790?fref=ts. Use their facebook page to contact for rental information.
Other ways to find housing
Cherry Grove is served by one very active community Facebook page. It is a virtual hamlet bulletin boards. Don’t be put off by the closed group status, ask to join to post. Advertising for a room or something larger might result in an offer from a private homeowner. And conversely private homeowners use this Facebook pages to advertise rooms of various sizes, condo units, houses for rent too on a pop up basis.
The Grove Untucked: https://www.facebook.com/groups/141584049360024/
We know of no alternative community Facebook page for FI Pines but residents of both communities do visit these sites. You never know until you try.
And these two housing sources not to be underestimated. It's the modern age and these services do connect visitors with an array of private housing options.
Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/
Craigslist: https://newyork.craigslist.org/
SCHEDULES : Getting There, Around and Back
A basic essential tip: know before you go. Ferry, taxi, train are not all seamlessly connected and late night it's very possible to get stranded when rail service cuts off on the Babylon line late night both east and west. In that case a taxi to the Ronkonkoma train station would be an alternative as it is open around the clock.
There is however one good guide linking all these schedules. The folks at the Fairy Schedule have come up with software to do that job. Find their travel tool at this website: https://www.fairyschedule.com/
Rainbow Rides: gay owned business.... direct inquiries to 631-737-7300. Ground transportation between Sayville and New York City and New York City airports. Reservations are recommended. Pet friendly.
FI Water Taxi: http://www.fireislandwatertaxi.com/schedules/cherry-grove/
Note: this is a very difficult service to arrange at night if you have missed the ferry. If you have contact the Sayville Ferry and ask them to contact the water taxi service that will in turn contact you. If no one in their office then call direct to the water taxi. Water taxi is to the Bay Shore dock not Sayville expect to pay a lot but you will get back to the mainland instead of being stranded.
Ferries arranged off schedule are called "specials". You can not find rates on line. This service is not guaranteed, rates might increase depending on time of call and the ferry services' ability to staff a ferry to reach you. Expect to pay more than a hundred dollars at least, costs of course can be shared for a trip if you are part of a group but they will arrange individual special ferries if you have the cash.
Sayville Ferry: http://www.sayvilleferry.com/
LIRR: http://lirr42.mta.info/
And keep in mind that the LIRR does offer package deals, round trip rail, taxi, and ferry pay one price tickets good for the day of the trip only though. Link here: http://web.mta.info/lirr/getaways/beach/index.htm
Land taxi (Colonial): http://www.colonialtransportation.com/
FOOTING IT AROUND
By foot the Carrington Tract a/k/a the "Meatrack" is actually the chief pedestrian path between Cherry Grove and FI Pines. Depending on how fast a person walks from ferry dock to ferry dock as short as 30 minutes to as long as an hour to walk. In adverse weather i.e. rain watch out for mud and deep puddles particularly at night. If traveling by night a flashlight would be good to have to stay on path and or to avoid ruts, puddles, branches. Bug spray a good idea too: the Carrington Tract is a wilderness. It has ticks, mosquitoes, and gnats in abundance. Ticks should be immediately removed if found. They carry disease. Avoid touching any shiny looking leaves, or brushing them that's most likely poison ivy and that plant too in abundance.
Social Media that also offers information about ongoing events in Cherry Grove
FI Q News: http://www.fireislandqnews.com/
PRACTICAL INFO
Money: yes there are ATMs in the Grove one near the ferry dock.
MEDICAL
The Grove is served by a medical service. It's the Northwell Health Doctors House. It can be found at:
153 Doctors Walk Cherry Grove (it's not that far from the ferry dock actually).
As an alternative there is also the Pines Care Center which also has hours and days of service. It may be open when this office is closed. See our Pines guide for more information.
Night time crisis: call 911..there is a police presence in Cherry Grove...they will help.
USEFUL LINKS IN ONE PLACE
Ice Palace: http://www.grovehotel.com/
Cherry’s on the Bay: http://www.cherrysonthebay.com/
The Island Breeze: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Island-Breeze/110543635649513
Sand Castle on the Ocean: http://fireislandsandcastle.com/menus.html
