IRVING, NY — Every year from Memorial Day to Labor Day locals have the chance to experience fun in the sun at a beach in their own back yard.

Sunset Bay Beach Club is open to customers but is currently under renovations. (Photo by Dusten Rader)

Sunset Bay Beach Club and Cabana Sam's are once again open for the season. And, this year there are even more reasons to stop by. Sam Bova, owner and General Manager Kelly Borrello have been hard at work improving the experience at Sunset Bay.

“We like to think of Sunset Bay as a little tropical getaway,” said Borrello. “The décor is very tropical and beach like to remind you of being on an island. Whether you're here just for the day or the week I want the customers to be treated like they are on vacation.”

The patio area will be extended so people can spend more time close to the beach. (Photo by Dusten Rader)

Everything from the atmosphere, food and the drinks shout come enjoy a day at the beach. For example: Mai Tai, Daiquiri and Mudslides. “Frozen drinks, mixed drinks, whatever you want we can do it,” said Borrello. “Plus, we got some fun souvenir drink ware like the coconut carved monkey and the plastic hurricane cup.”

Sunset Bay might be right down the street, but they can offer an experience that locals wont find at their corner bar. “The beach is open every day as long as the weather permits,” said Borrello. “You can sit and watch your kids play outside while you enjoy a drink under an umbrella. Or, you can enjoy the sunset with a cocktail. Whatever you want to do is up to you.”

Drinks aren't all that Cabana Sam's has to offer. According to Borrello, everyone says that Cabana Sam's has excellent burgers. Customers can enjoy a half pound burgers cooked to order. They also have some very big steak sandwiches. There are chopped sirloin, a steak and seaweed and a steak pepper and onion sandwich. “These are probably our most popular items,” she said.

The steamed clams are also very popular. They are sold casino, steamers or raw. “With the hot weather here they are starting to do very well,” said Borrello.

The good food doesn't stop there. On Monday nights customers can enjoy all you can eat crab legs. “That's unique to here,” Borrello said. “Not a lot of places are doing them anymore.”

Cabana Sam's is still offering the same level of excellence they have been providing for many years. (Photo by Dusten Rader)

But, the best sellers as far as seafood go are the grouper and the seafood platter. “The grouper is a very mild fish that we serve a variety of ways. It can be a melt, a panini or grilled. The seafood platter is for those who like it fried. It includes fried fish, shrimp and crab cake. It basically gives you a taste of everything.”

If the food wasn't reason enough to stop by there is plenty of recreation offered as well. With five acres of beach cleaned every day there is a lot of room to stretch out. When the beach is open, life guards are on duty. There are also volleyball courts, a redemption video game room and an ice cream shop.

“We've got all sorts of things to do here,” said Borrello. “You don't have to just come for lunch or dinner and then leave. You can spend a couple hours, a whole day or a week here.”

The experience wouldn't be complete without some form of entertainment. That's why it is offered at two venues. The schedule is different between the Beach Club and Cabana Sam's. Cabana Sam's is more of a family oriented restaurant and relaxing beach bar. The atmosphere featured on Tuesday is family friendly oldies, Thursday is casual sing along beach music and Sunday a local gentlemen plays fun top 40 music to get the patio jumping. Wednesday night the live music starts at 9 p.m. and it is all you an eat wing night. Families can come in beforehand and then decide whether or not to stay for an acoustic set.

At the Beach Club, on Friday nights there is live music inside on a stage. Local bands that perform cover tunes usually play that night. Saturday night there is more of a DJ and Dance party feel. And, Sunday local radio stations come to do live broadcasts and giveaways. The Bikini contest in July is also a crowd pleaser. “We have a little something for everyone no matter what your age is,” said Borrello.

Every day is special at Cabana Sam's. (Photo by Dusten Rader)

The beach wouldn't be the same without a club. And that's why at the end of the season last year they started a full remodel of the Sunset Bay Beach Club. According to Borrello, the building has been there since the 40's and has been remodeled décor wise a number of times. The inside is now lined with bamboo, paintings and fun signs.

“Now it is just as interesting to be inside as outside,” said Borrello. “But, it also needed some structural work. So, we took down most of it and renovated it from the ground up. It has the same floor plan, but we capitalized on our strength by making the patio bigger.”

Sunset Bay Beach Club and Cabana Sam's are located at 1028 South Shore Drive in Irving. Cabana Sam's is open from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Sunset Bay Beach Club is open from 12 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 12 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. For more information visit www.sunsetbayusa.com.