Last Call for Two Iconic Hamptons Bartenders, Shift Change at Murfs Tavern

What’s a bar without a bartender? More than just the person who makes your drinks, a bartender is the heart and soul of the whole scene. The quarterback of your night, they call the shots (man, I’m just knocking these alcohol puns back). That’s not an easy job—even harder to do well. For the last decade at Murfs Backroom Tavern in Sag Harbor Village, Nick and Corene have been part of more memories than anyone can remember.

After a combined 22 (!!!) Summers behind the bar, the unmistakable Nick & Corene Dreamteam Duo called last call for the last time at their Retirement Party at Murfs on Halloween. The send-off was bittersweet but in a Billy-Joel-song kind of way. In Sag Harbor’s small fishing village community, they cast a wide net…quick with a joke, or to light up your smoke…

As Nick and Corene move on to their next chapters, we raise a glass to how much they have brought to our community and cheers for everything their futures hold.

After starting as a barback in 2010, Corene knows her way around the bar better than anyone (other than maybe Murf). Her laugh is infectious and she has a heavy pour! More than all that, Corene is the kindest person I’ve ever seen confiscate a grown adult’s vape. She is a general on the frontline, commanding calmly and never losing her cool. It takes a special skill to make you feel seen in a sea of people. She can’t help but serve and she will be greatly expanding her reach as she will be working for Habitat AmeriCorps in North Carolina.

You know Nick from his Roger Sterling good looks and great pop-punk playlists. I’ve never seen someone command so much respect wearing board shorts. If Nick was the nickname type, you might call him Quick Nick, the dude can move. But, when he takes a minute to catch up or calls you by your name, you feel like you’re made of gold. We wish Nick a happy retirement, although you’ll be able to catch him next summer as he takes a victory lap for one more season as a Captain for his private water taxi, Le Launch.

We’ll miss them, for sure, but the glass is still half full! The Hamptons have a way of bringing people back.

Murfs will always be the best Backroom in the Hamptons. Big John will still keep everybody safe. I’m excited to get to know the returning team. They are a super tight-knit team at Murfs and the atmosphere is surprisingly delicate—you need someone who can manage swarms of drinking (I’m being polite) people, keep the space clean without making it antiseptic, and understand how to make something better by keeping it the way it is, among a litany of secret bartender knowledge.

I got the inside scoop that East Hampton’s own (and my personal favorite) bartender will be picking up some shifts! She needs no introduction, and I’m not qualified to attempt one, but from my POV, few people are better suited than Virg. She definitely understands the assignment.

Virg has all the ingredients and spirit of a great bartender, if you will, a classic cocktail.

2 parts lifelong Hamptons local

1 Part knows how to make a mean tequila soda

1 Part great music taste

Garnish with winning smile 

If she were reading me write this, Virginia would quickly say: “You’re cut off,” but it’s true! She genuinely appreciates the importance of a Dive Bar like Murfs and knows how to keep things perfectly unpretentious, like Corene and Nick. Plus, expect more Billy Joel.

To Nick and Corene, thank you for making things comfortable, for breathing life into the Village, and for keeping the kooks at bay. The Hamptons won’t be the same without you, but we know you’ll be back for a drink or 10, this time on the other side of the bar.