Montauk’s November 2026 Entertainment
Bartender of the Month – Montauk’s own Jen McCarthy
Jen is one of the few MTK bartenders who was born and raised here in Montauk. Her parents moved here in the 70s, and she told me that there’s nowhere else she’d rather be. “I’ll never move from here,” she commented. When I asked why, she said, “I’ve been here this long…” in that matter-of-fact way she has when faced with a question that really doesn’t need a response.
However, after some thought, she added, “I take pride in where I live and where I work. I grew up here; I’ve seen it all. At the end of the day, my patrons drive me to do what I do every shift. I love more things about this town that people will never get to experience. Montauk is Montauk. With the changes, most stay the same. It’s US.”
Jen’s first job was at Herb’s Market, and at 21, she got her first bartending/waitress job at Shagwong. Since then, she’s worked at ENE, filled in at a few other bars including the Montauket, and worked in the Viking office. For the past eighteen years or so, she’s divided her time between bartending at Pack Out and The Dock.
Jen is a Montauk staple—everyone knows her, and she never forgets a face or a preference. Who else but Jen would remember a random case of Heineken tucked away in the walk-in and sprint across the yard to grab it just because she knew it was Kenny’s favorite? It takes a grounded, even-keeled person to successfully manage the crowds at two of Montauk’s legacy establishments, and Jen balances it perfectly. She has a rare gift for letting things slide; in an environment where people let loose and inhibitions run high, her calm composure keeps the peace. But make no mistake—she’s no pushover, and you definitely shouldn’t push your luck.
