What Makes Fire Island A Unique LGBT Destination

I recently went back to Fire Island to visit a Purple Light friend and client who has had a “share” (house share) there for years. I had a wonderful time. In spending a couple of days there, I was reminded of how it is both similar and different from other popular gay resorts such as Provincetown, Saugatuck and Rehoboth. I thought I would share these similarities and differences with you so that you can determine if a vacation in Fire Island is for you.

Where Is Fire Island?

When I refer to “Fire Island” for this article, I need to be a bit more specific, however. Fire Island is an island in Suffolk County, Long Island that is only 1/2 mile wide (at its widest point), but approximately 32 miles long. The unofficial capital of Fire Island is Ocean Beach and there are other popular towns to visit such as Kismet on the westernmost end of the Island. When people from the LGBT community say that they are going to Fire Island, they are usually referring to one of two hamlets close to the center of the Island namely, the Pines and Cherry Grove. These hamlets are less than 1.5 miles away from each other and collectively are a gay mecca.  That is the Fire Island to which I refer.

Dock Near to Where Ferries Pick You Up and Drop You Off In Fire Island

Why Fire Island is Similar

Close to a Major City

As Ptown, is close to Boston and Rehoboth, DE is relatively close to both Philadelphia and Washington D.C., Fire Island is just a couple of hours from downtown Manhattan. It therefore makes a convenient get away for those living in or visiting NYC.

Very Gay-Friendly

Fire Island Pines and Cherry Grove are full of members of the LGBT community and their friends. This gay mecca has long been a place where people can be who they are without fear of discrimination and homophobia.

Fun Bar Options

Handsome Bartenders Serve Drinks at the Blue Whale Piano Bar

The Interior of the Famous Ice Palace Bar/Club During The Day

Fire Island is known for its popular Tea Dance at the Blue Whale in the Pines as well as other fun bars and clubs. In the Pines, the bar options include the Blue Whale Piano Bar, Sip and Twirl for cocktails and dancing and the Pavilion. Cherry Grove has the Ice Palace and Cherry’s on the Bay.

Fire Island’s Beach is Spectacular Even in Overcast Weather

A Spectacular Beach

Fire Island’s white sand beach is spectacular and easy holds its own against the beaches in Provincetown and in Rehoboth.

Why Fire Island is Different

It’s Remote and There Are No Cars

One of Fire Island’s Boardwalk Lined Streets Near the Entry to Cherry Grove

If you want to go to Ptown, you can fly right into Ptown on Cape Air, drive from Boston or take the fast ferry from Boston throughout the summer and fall. To get to Fire Island with rare exceptions, you have to take the Long Island Railroad from Penn Station in Manhattan drive to or use a car service to Sayville, Long Island (typically from Manhattan, or JFK or Islip airports) and then take the ferry (about a 40 minute ride) that leaves once an hour. Cars except with special permit are not allowed in the Pines or Cherry Grove. Even bicycles are uncommon. People get around on foot and cart items in specially marked carts that belong to specific houses. There are wooden boardwalks everywhere. To get from the Pines to Cherry Grove, some people walk and others take a water taxi.

Its Gay Towns are Less Mixed and More Gay

Pride In Cherry Grove Dubbed the U.S.’s First LGBT Town

Fire Island’s Gay Wit Has Survived the Pandemic

Provincetown and Rehoboth pride themselves on welcoming everybody and diversity of all kinds. Walking down the streets of Rehoboth or Ptown you will see a little bit of everything. These towns attract families of all kinds particularly during Ptown’s annual family week. Ptown and Rehoboth also have their share of straight (but gay friendly) bars and restaurants. Saugatuck, other than the Douglas Dunes is gay friendly but certainly not gay exclusive.

In contrast while the gay mecca in Fire Island can be visited by all, it definitely attracts a gayer and more homogenous crowd. There is little in these towns other than the beach that would attract kids.  Cherry Grove has been dubbed America’s first gay and lesbian town. While other gay summer resorts like Ptown have locations where gay men can have anonymous sex in the dark (e.g. the D dock under the Boatslip) at least pre-Covid a woodsy path between the Pines and Cherry Grove is known as both the Judy Garland Memorial  Pathway and the “Meat Rack” (on official maps it is listed as the Carrington Tract) and offers an anonymous encounter experience at various hours.

It Offers Fewer Accommodation Options

My Room at the Madison Guest House

The Exterior of the Unique Belvidere Guest House

The Main Salon at the Belvidere. Do You See What I Mean about Over the Top?

Inside one of the Belvidere’s Poolside Cabanas is a Sling

While Ptown, Rehoboth and the Saugatuck/Douglas area offer various hotel and guest house options as well as vacation rentals, the accommodation options in Fire Island are much more limited. There are only a handful of guests houses and motels in both the Pines and Cherry Grove.

We stayed at the Madison which is in the heart of the Pines and just a short walk from the ferry dock. It offers relatively upscale accommodations and a pool inside a single family home that was converted to a guest house.

Options in Cherry Grove include the Ice Palace motel where the club is and the Belvidere. The Belvidere is certainly one of the more unique properties we have ever visited It combines over the top décor with a very sexual vibe.

There are limited home vacation rentals available for those who want to visit and do not have a seasonal house share.

It Offers Fewer Dining, Shopping and Performance Options

One of Relatively Few Commercial Buildings in the Pines which Houses the Bistro Restaurant, the Pines’ Only Pizza Place, and the Sip and Twirl Bar

In Ptown and Rehoboth there are many restaurants to choose from and going out to eat is part of the attraction. In Ptown there are virtually nightly musical and other performances from resident and guest talent. For those who want to cook at home, there is a major supermarket as well as several smaller gourmet grocery stores. Shopping for art, clothes and other souvenirs is popular in both Rehoboth and Ptown.

There are only a handful of restaurants on Fire Island particularly in the Pines, and very few other shops. When people stay on Fire Island they spend more time relaxing on the beach and enjoying and entertaining at their homes. They are not concerned about nightly restaurant reservations as more often than not they cook at home. If one does want to dine in a restaurant, advanced reservations are important due to limited seating availability. There is only one market in the Pines called the Pantry and everyone either gets their food there or brings (or has it brought through on line and other grocery delivery services) it on the ferry from the mainland.

The Houses are Larger and Grander and People Prefer to Entertain at Home

One of the Larger and Grander Homes in the Pines

The Pines Offers Homes With Pools and Space to Entertain Outdoors

And Entertain Indoors

The relatively few restaurant, shopping and entertainment options is not a bad thing to those who love Fire Island. The houses in Fire Island are generally grander and larger than the ones you will find in Ptown for example. Far more houses in the Pines have private swimming pools and hot tubs than you will find in either Ptown or Rehoboth. Therefore, people want to  spend more time entertaining at their homes. They are not concerned about nightly restaurant reservations as more often than not they cook at home.

There are weekly drag shows and bingo, the Blue Whale Piano Bar, and occasional guest performer shows in the Pines and Cherry Grove, but nothing like the entertainment options in Ptown or even Ogunquit. Again, residents don’t care because they are close to Manhattan with arguably the best entertainment options in the world, and they are on the island to get away, and relax.

It is More Exclusive

Viewing Sunset from Your Own Pool Deck is a Memorable Experience

The Local and Friendly Fauna Also Feel Privileged to be on Fire Island

Because of it being more remote/difficult to get to and fewer places to stay, there is definitely a feeling of exclusivity being on Fire Island, particularly in the Pines It is not surprising that over the years LGBT elites like Calvin Klein and David Geffen have had homes there.

Want some more information on Fire Island and its various towns/communities? Check out the link HERE.

Would you like to book a guesthouse or vacation rental on Fire Island? Please contact us. We would be happy to assist you.

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