Just a short ride from the Fire Island ferries, The Bunk House in Sayville was one of Long Island’s most beloved early gay bars — a cozy, wood-paneled watering hole where beachgoers, locals, and summer regulars gathered long before Pride flags flew openly on Main Street. Operating through the 1970s and ’80s and 90's, it became a kind of unofficial gateway to Cherry Grove and the Pines: the place where everyone met for a drink before catching the boat or unwinding after a weekend of sun and salt air.
With its friendly crowd, casual vibe, and a sense of community that felt instant and effortless, The Bunk House offered something rare: a queer space that blended neighborhood comfort with just a hint of vacation magic. It was a lifeline for LGBTQ folks on the island — a reminder that freedom didn’t only live across the bay.
