'Love Island USA' watch parties at Long Island bars, restaurants
Ella Cohenkashi, 20, and Ariella Golbin, 19, take part in a watch party for "Love Island" at Street to Table in Merrick last summer. Credit: Linda Rosier
Long Islanders, "Love Island USA" watch parties are back on the Island.
It is that time of year where "Love Island USA" contestants compete for love and a $100,000 prize. The American version of the British reality show where fans can vote for their favorite couples has found its way in several bars and restaurants on Long Island.
Babylon Social, co-owned by Brittani Cappiello, 30, of Babylon, is hosting a watch party every Tuesday at 9 p.m. It's the second year they've organized the fan event series.
"It was our first time open,"Cappiello said of last year's event. "It really brought a lot of traction." Cappiello is no stranger to reality TV. She was on the MTV reality show "Double Shot at Love," with DJ Pauly D and Vinny Guadagnino from "Jersey Shore," which debuted in 2019. She said she loves reality TV and hopes to share that experience with others through the watch parties.
"We have a sports bar, but I’m not really into sports," she said. "And I was like, what’s something I could do that the girlies would love and the people who don’t love sports would love."
A view of the Love Island Villa for Season 8 of "Love Island USA." Credit: Peacock/TNS/Ben Symons
Fans gather to watch the episode and can order the bar's "girl dinner" special, a Caesar salad with truffle fries and an espresso martini ($25). Babylon Social expects to continue its high-atmosphere watch parties through the "Love Island" Season 8 finale on Sunday.
A bombshell enters the watch party
This year, Seaport Diner in Port Jefferson Station, is hosting its first "Love Island USA" watch party series.
"I love 'Love Island,' and I religiously watch it every summer, so I pitched the idea to the owner and he was fully onboard," said Donya Parsa, 27, of Patchogue, the social media manager for Seaport Diner and CEO of World Media Marketing.
Seaport Diner brings the villa to its screens, paired with a "Love Island USA"-inspired menu, on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 9 p.m.
"People don’t go out to diners anymore," Parsa said. "So we thought, why don’t we bring a young, popular, fun show to the diner to revamp Long Island diners and bring people back."
Join the villa
Birdies
17 N. Ocean Ave., Patchogue
The indoor golf and cocktail bar will stream the Peacock hit Mondays at 9 p.m. while serving $10 signature cocktails.
MORE INFO: 631-654-4653, birdiesli.com
Seaport Diner
5045 Nesconset Hwy., Port Jefferson
With a menu tailored to the "Love Island" experience, Seaport Diner is hosting "Love Island USA" watch parties every Sunday through Tuesday at 9 p.m. until the finale.
Ranging from villa-inspired drinks to entrees, Seaport Diner is serving up the Islanders' favorites.
MORE INFO: 631- 928-7777, seaportdinerli.com
Babylon Social
100 Deer Park Ave., Babylon
This restaurant and bar is serving its "girl dinner" special on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. while streaming "Love Island USA"
MORE INFO: 631- 314-6100 babylonsocial.com
