Ariel view of Kismet from the North
Merriam-Webster defines “kismet” as fate, or destiny, and that’s just how we feel about it too. Kismet is the westerly-most community on Fire Island and is known for its laid back nature and eclectic community.
The town is small and lots of different kinds of beach-lovers co-exist peacefully: from fisherman with families and surfers and swinging singles. Unlike many of the other communities on the island, Kismet does not suffer from the restrictive rules of other towns, like Ocean Beach, which prohibits even bottled water on the beach.
Kismet is a place where these rules are not necessary since the community does not attract these kind of entitled assholes you find all over the place who screw things up for everybody by behaving in a way that they clearly shouldn’t have to begin with.
In fact the official Fire Island website, fireisland.com, describes Kismet in its destinations section as:
Kismet is Fire Island’s westernmost party hub; a largely swinging single Fire Island beach community boasting a vibrant nightlife of never-ending happy hours, disco dancing, and boisterous house parties. A popular Fire Island summer share beach house destination, Kismet is also populated by residents who share their community in harmony with Fire Island rental tenants…Kismet features two bayside restaurants, the Inn and The Out, along with a liquor store, food market, and pizzeria. Kismet has a beautiful 100-slip commercial marina that is usually packed with boaters. Besides the quaint country-like atmosphere, this laid-back town offers a refuge from the seemingly over-populated beaches and towns to its east. The Fire Island Ferry offers service to Kismet from the Bay Shore Fire Island Ferry terminal.
This is pretty much how it is. The nightlife is easy to handle, you leave the house and walk to the bar. If your friends aren’t at the first bar, the other one is only 20 feet away and there are only two so you’ll never have trouble finding people.
Each of the bars offers outdoor seating even at night and are open late. The Inn has a more traditional feel with pool tables, a rock-packed jukebox and a long wooden bar. The Inn often has live music–jam bands on weekends and jazz groups on Thursdays. The Out, by contrast, has DJs and a more club-like feel complete with dance floor where the dancing action heats up (usually a little later in the evening). The Out is under new management this season and promises to up the ante as restaurant and bar competition this summer.
All in all, Kismet is just about the perfect spot for a summer sharehouse, and Kismet Seven Seas is the most exciting new sharehouse in the community. Check out info on the house or return to the home page for other info.
