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Harbor Crab is out. Baymen’s Clam Bar is in.
After nearly 26 years on the Patchogue River, one of the village’s most recognizable waterfront restaurants has officially closed its doors. Harbor Crab Co. has ended its long run, and the space will soon reopen as Baymen’s Clam Bar.
Harbor Crab owner Mark Miller confirmed the change to Greater Long Island after passing the keys to new co-owners Jay Varney and Will Strano on Friday afternoon.
“We are excited to carry the torch,” Varney told GLI. “We want to make our own legacy.”
Varney, owner of Varney’s Restaurant in Brookhaven, and Strano, owner of Dunton Inn in East Patchogue, say their new concept will lean heavily into a more traditional Long Island seafood experience.
The menu is expected to change significantly, with a focus on local, South Shore-style seafood, including fried whole clams, fried fish and shrimp cocktail.
“We wanted to put an emphasis on honoring Long Island’s fishing heritage and the working waterfront culture that surrounds the Patchogue River,” said Varney, whose father was a bayman clammer.
Inside, the restaurant will also see a shift. The main dining room is moving away from its tiki-inspired design and toward a more classic Long Island clam bar feel.
However, not everything is changing. Varney said the back bar area will keep its tiki theme.
For Miller, the transition marks the end of an era.
“I’m flooded with thoughts and memories of 26 years of dinners, parties, special occasions, and really being an important part of a great village,” he said. “With teary eyes & a pensive heart it’s time to say goodbye.”
Miller also raised thousands of dollars for Long Islanders each holiday season through Harbor Crab’s annual Kris Kringle event.
The new owners said their partnership has been years in the making.
“We’ve been trying to go into business together for a while, and it always seemed to fall apart at the last minute. This place was perfect,” they said.
But expect the same lively energy along the river.
“We really want to focus on good food, but we still want to have a good time,” Strano said.
Renovations are already underway, with the goal of opening Baymen’s within the next month or so.
Check back with Greater Long Island for updates on the grand opening.
Top photo: Exterior of Harbor Crab location in Patchogue. (Credit: Facebook)
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