In Sag Harbor, outdoor dining was once a luxury reserved for places 
like The American Hotel, Sen Japanese Restaurant, B. Smiths and The 
Dockside Bar & Grill. These are restaurants that have their own patio 
spaces where patrons can sip a cocktail and enjoy a meal while 
admiring a bustling Main Street, or boats pulling into the village’s 
marinas and yacht clubs. 

However, in the last three years, village government has embraced the 
concept of allowing virtually all restaurants use of sidewalk space to 
promote outdoor dining in an effort to support local businesses. Now, 
after a meeting with the village’s historic preservation and 
architectural review board (ARB) and receiving approval from the State 
of New York, residents and visitors alike will enjoy the same 
privilege at one of the village’s oldest and most celebrated places to 
grab a burger and a beer — The Corner Bar. 

On Thursday, July 14, Sag Harbor attorney Miles Anderson presented The 
Corner Bar’s concept to the Sag Harbor Village ARB. The seating, which 
will be located on the Route 114 side of the building, facing Bay 
Street Theatre and Long Wharf, is located on New York State-owned 
sidewalk. According to Anderson, Corner Bar owner Jim Smyth has 
already received approval from the New York State Department of 
Transportation for the outdoor dining area, which will feature four 
tables and 12 seats. 

“More outdoor dining,” said Sag Harbor ARB Chairman Cee Scott Brown. 
“That is great.”

Smyth was unanimously approved for the seating and now will await 
approval from the New York State Liquor Authority before following 
through with the plan. 

In other ARB news, the Sunseeker Club, a firm that rents luxury yachts 
and motorboats, was approved for a sign at SGI Marinas at 50 West 
Water Street. The owners of a 20 Hamilton Street residence were also 
approved for the renovation of that house, as well as a 15 x 40 foot 
swimming pool. Robert Smithson, of 32 Eastville Road, was approved for 
a 16 x 32 foot pool in the rear of his lot. 

Lastly, Ann Castaldo, who lives on Jefferson Street directly behind 
the John Jermain Memorial Library, approached the ARB with tentative 
plans to replace the siding of her home, which currently does not have 
insulation. 

Castaldo was interested in using Hardiplank, a type of siding 
engineered to look like wood, but was informed by the board that in 
the historic district of Sag Harbor the ARB requires all homes use 
real wood siding like cedar clapboard. 

Castaldo said she would return with a formal application once she was 
ready to fund the project, which will be completed in phases, she said. 

The next meeting of the Sag Harbor ARB will be held on Monday, July 25 
at 5 p.m.

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