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Those heading to Patchogue will be able to get a little taste — and ambience — of Italy at The Social Bar & Pizza.
At 76 West Main St., where Darling Brewing Co. operated until May 2022, patrons can expect an outdoor walk-up pizza window serving a variety of slices throughout the day and into the night. And then a loungey indoor dining room area and full-service bar that will be open at around 5 p.m.
The new bar/pizza parlor has “the backbones of a traditional pizzeria with a modern take,” according to its co-partner, operator, and pizza slinger Gaetano Daniele Scarapicchia, and aspires to give customers “something different.”
The Social Bar & Pizza team wants to provide the experience of walking down a street in Italy and stepping right up to a storefront to grab something to eat. The garage door that was attached to the old brewery will now be opened up, with a counter installed for people to “mangia” as Italian music
plays in the air.
Among the property’s major renovations is a full kitchen, where Scarapicchia makes and serves up slices that are higher-end than the norm, he says.
Some of the menu options include the “Proper Pep,” topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella, curled up pepperoni, and hot honey; “Microdose,” which contains garlic cream sauce, mozzarella, mushrooms, caramelized onions, arugula, balsamic glaze, and parmigiano; and what he predicts will be the most popular, “Guidos NY Style,” a slice made up of tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil, and extra virgin olive oil.
That last slice is extra special to Scarapicchia because he named it after his 86-year-old father, who, like his mother, came here from Italy. “It’s just to pay homage to him. I can’t even explain how much he’s helped me. He’s pumped about the place.”
Scarapicchia, 49, who grew up in Commack and now resides in Stony Brook, started working in pizza restaurants when he was 13. Employed across Suffolk County, he started out as a dish washer and made his way into prep — making the sauce, cheese, dough, preparing the veggies — before becoming a pizza chef. He would even use fresh produce from his father’s huge garden to whip up the highest quality slices.
Prior to setting up The Social Bar & Pizza, Scarapicchia worked in catering and hopes to bring some of those skills to the brick and mortar, with one day a week being reserved for private parties — such as engagement and gender reveal gatherings.
In addition to the planned outdoor setup, its night scene interior aims to transport you to the old country with Italian art and even a bright red Vespa. It’s also decorated with comfortable seating, TVs, and a sleekly designed, decked out bar — stocked with everything from rum and tequila to fine Italian wine.
On what he hopes to bring to the area, Scarapicchia said, “Great food, a lot of fun, and a fantastic place to hang out. People are going to hear music, they’re going to see a totally new ambience. This was always something on the back-burner for me…it’s very exciting.”
The Social Bar & Pizza, located at 76 West Main St., opened earlier this month. Scroll down for photos of the space. (Credit: Kevin Redding)
Top: Gaetano Daniele Scarapicchia outside of his new venture Social Bar & Pizza, coming soon to Patchogue. (Credit: Kevin Redding)
