The Black Buoy- A Sag Harbor Landmark

There are special places that seem to define a town, the memory of which are passed on to generations along with sordid stories that remain in the bones of those who have passed. For Sag Harbor still breathes in and out the smoky, fusty stirring life of one of its most revered and spirited sanctuaries -many of you may remember the once famous and ‘infamous’-Black Buoy. I mustn’t say too much about this place as I think perhaps my cousins may be reading and certainly are more the experts on this Sag Harbor landmark. The Black Buoy was and is legendary- a piece of Sag Harbor that hasn’t died or left our memories and perhaps never will. It was a bar where memories were made and held onto-from bar fights to baked clams – first drinks to last hurrahs. It feels as if the memory of the Black Buoy is deeply engraved into the sidewalk of where it once stood- and if you find a local my age or older-I’m sure they will have a Black Buoy story to share.

The Black Buoy was owned and operated by my Aunt Rose and Uncle Jim Black-I imagine some folks may not realize that that is how the ‘Black’ Buoy got its name. It was a favorite haunt for many local people as well as the likes of John Steinbeck and his famous canine friends- they were regulars and spent a good deal of time there sharing stories- some of which may have found their way onto pages of his award-winning classics. Local artist Cappy Amundsen could be seen there shooting pool in the back. It was a place that housed the raw and edgy essence of Sag Harbor and Aunt Rose and Uncle Jim, along with their often-remembered bartenders, were friends to all.

The Black Buoy also sold pizzas and if someone forgot to pick up their order there was a chance it might find its way to our house in North Haven- the only experience we ever had with ‘take-out’ food! Aunt Rose made her own baked clams to sell and I believe the recipe still can be found in the John Jermain Library’s local cookbook. Famous delicacies they were-around these parts.

Aunt Rose, born in Sag Harbor in 1919, was my father’s sister and was valedictorian of the Pierson class of 1937 -I had heard tell that she had read every book in the library at the time and would be reproached by her parents for staying up into the wee-hours with a flashlight and a book. Upon graduation she was awarded a full academic scholarship to Smith College but decided to go to the city to study nursing and became a registered nurse. I think I remember her telling about a first trip to the city on dusty, newly imagined roads on the back of a potato truck. She became one of the founding members of Sag Harbor’s ‘Friends of the Library’ and a regular at local village board meetings.

When my mom went to the hospital to give birth to the next Remkus inline, it was my Aunt Rose that took care of me. The rest of my brothers and sisters headed off to school for the day. I was four and had to wait ‘til five to attend kindergarten -I can’t recall there ever being a preschool in Sag Harbor. We all generally spent those first five years at home making mud pies and taking naps.

When my mom knew the time was at hand, she and my father scurried me off to Aunt Rose’s house for the day. I packed my blue vinyl ‘Tammy Doll’ case – (the Ideal Toy Company’s wholesome effort to compete with Mattel’s Barbie doll) -and off I went. After a can of Campbell’s chicken noodle soup – and just a bit before opening - Aunt Rose and I made our way to the Black Buoy for the day. I set up my Tammy dolls on the foot rail at the bar as folks sauntered in and out as part of their daily routine. There are countless days of childhood that I can’t recall-but that day remains with me forever- the sights, the sounds, the smell, being transported to a new and beguiling world – oh yeah, and I got a new baby brother that day as well. So darn cute that no one even noticed me anymore.

Years passed and if the bar was empty and my friend and I were walking by, Aunt Rose would invite us in for a cherry coke. What a treat it was to be in these hallowed halls. If you ever had the chance to be there I bet if you close your eyes, you can imagine just where you were sitting and see fog gathering on your glass.

Some folks used to boast that Sag Harbor once had more bars than just about anywhere- I imagine everyone might have their favorite- but no matter how many people pass through this thriving tourist town-or how much you pay for a glass of wine at some of these swanky hotspots- I don’t believe there will ever be a bar the likes of the Black Buoy. It is and will always be part of the formative spirit of this village- that, in smoky whispers reminds us of the way things used to be.