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Health & Fitness

T.J. Clemente's Traditions of the Hamptons #13 - The Driver's Seat

To many the friendliest establishment in Southampton

Back in the day, when the racetrack in Bridgehampton had the latest, fastest, and costliest sports cars tooling around the track the drivers of this glamour set needed a place to sip beers and kick back. In 1960 Kingsley Moore, a man with great passions for auto racing converted what was built in 1896 to be a produce store, located at 62 Jobs Lane in Southampton, into a manly type pub for the racing circuit. He called the pub, “,” and a Hamptons Tradition was born.

For years many Southampton locals and summer locals have stopped in to eat the basic menu and sip a few beers. The stories of men betting registrations over beers at the bar may well be true, but what is true is there were certainly men drinking beer at the bar. With a men’s clubroom feel that still exists to this day the wood walls and ceiling brings a feel of a lodge more than a bar. Over the long bar is a copper ceiling, gone is the huge stone fireplace that was in the back dining room, but still remaining are the booths. Many families have stopped in for steak, chicken and hamburgers over the years. In the summer there is a back open air bar which percolates into the early hours of the morning serving nourishment to a very glamorous collection of Hampton visitors and locals. But it is the inside bar that seems to be the place where the men still gather to drink, relax and kick back. Women are welcome, and in fact many women meet at the bar for drink also, but there are no doilies in this establishment the feel is definitely masculine.

Most likely behind the bar will be Tommy Alexander, working well into his third decade of serving the clientele at The Driver’s Seat. He recalls fondly the former owners he has worked for saying Doug Murtha, John Barnhill, Kim Kingsley and the late Bobby Milligan were stand up guys. Patrons describe Tommy as happy, polite, and joyful and a damn good drink mixer.  The bar has two flat screen T.V.’s at each end to watch the latest sports action. On tap are Guinness, Bass Ale, Blue Point, Stella Artois, Sam Adams, Blue Moon and Yuengling. The house white wines consist of a pinot grigio, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, and a feisty Riesling. Owner Irma Herzog has done a tremendous job converting the traditional feel of the Driver’s Seat to a more open space since taking over in 2005.

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Irma Herzog a local wife for over 25 years has chosen to make The Driver’s Seat a continued success by continuing tradition yet embracing change. Over 30 year veteran chef “Bobby T,” still works nights so the food is always consistent. Irma loves the building, the location and the clientele. “The same people have been coming in to dine for a long time,” she explained. “Very successful and famous people who could eat anywhere but they come here. I feel it is my responsibility not to fail them with the food and service they are use to.” Irma in an iterview with me years back stressed the Driver’s Seat is known officially as, “Southampton’s Meeting Place.” Of course Irma would not list the many celebrities and famous people who dine there because it is important to protect their privacy. Even a few presidential candidates have been regulars.

The entrees are traditional such as prime rib, short rack of rib, steak, fish and chicken dishes. Irma has added by demand a new Mexican Fajitas that is outstanding. They use official Yukon Gold long Island potatoes to make their famous tasty mash potatoes. “They cost more but they are better for making mash potatoes,” explained the detail oriented Irma Herzog.

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Of course there is an extensive lunch menu anchored by the traditional hamburger. At the present time the hours are 11:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. for the kitchen Sunday through Friday. Friday and Saturday its 11:30 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. The bar closes a bit later than the kitchen depending on the discretion of the bartender.

You no longer need to be a race car enthusiast to be welcomed into The Driver’s Seat. You only need to walk up the three steps to enter into this tradition Southampton meeting place. When you walk up into The Driver’s Seat you always feel welcomed because you are. The hometown small town feel makes it so easy to sit down and just kick back.

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