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A longtime Boardy Barn employee, friend and adviser to the prior owners — who later purchased the legal rights to the name — has partnered with NYC’s Houston Hall to launch Boardy Barn Sundays.
It all starts this Sunday, July 14, at 2 p.m. The Boardy Barn parties will then run every Sunday thereafter, into September.
This will be the first true (and sanctioned) Boardy Barn experience since the Hampton Bays property was sold in 2022. And it will be at the massive beer hall with soaring ceilings located at 222 W. Houston St. in the West Village.
Inside Houston Hall in the West Village. (Credit: Houston Hall on Facebook)
Tommy Cannu started working at the legendary Hampton Bays summer Sundays spot as a “little kid,” he said, caring for the grounds and facilities, eventually working the hot dog stand and taking on more and more responsibilities over four decades.
To him, the old place at 270 Montauk Highway was like home.
“Then after [the owners] sold the property, they kept the brand,” Cannu explained. “But because I have such a love for the place and wanted to keep the spirit alive. I purchased the brand. So that’s why I’m the responsible party here.”
Cannu considered the owners like family — one like a second dad — and he’s taken great care and consideration as the brand’s steward.
So he took his time in choosing where to first co-host a Boardy Barn-brand experience. He noted that a neon sign read for years in Hampton Bays: “Often imitated, never duplicated.”
“There are so many people who are so passionate about our original spot, which was open for over 50 years,” Cannu explained. “So it’s like, what can you possibly do to recreate the experience? And I think I have to start with the people, because as [the late co-founder] Tony Galgano said, ‘It’s the people who make the party.'”
“And he’s right. So I think we have to start with great people. So there will be some familiar faces who worked at the Boardy Barn for probably over 100 years combined. I’m sure you’re going to see some familiar, loyal customers, too.”
Along with that, over 1,000 historic photos will adorn the walls, and the old DJ’s are headed to NYC, too.
“So yeah, it’s going to be great people,” Cannu said.
Boardy Barn Sundays will run from 2 to 8 p.m., and include the smiley face stickers, hot dogs, and all the $4 cold beers in plastic cups that you could ask for.
— with Nick Esposito
Top: Vintage photos from the Boardy Barn in Hampton Bays. Credit: Facebook
