By: J. Gatsby

As sun-seeking New Yorkers zip down the Long Island Expressway for Memorial Day weekend, the battle lines between Montauk and the Hamptons are once again being drawn in the sand — and locals in this quiet fishing town have a message: we’re not like them.

In a story first reported by the New York Post, Montauk residents and loyal visitors pushed back on any comparison to their glitzier neighbors to the west. Yes, technically Montauk is located in the Town of East Hampton, but culturally? “Totally different genre of person,” said Allison Affenita, a 24-year-old fashion designer from Bayport, Long Island.

“These people come out here to relax, to fish, to talk to the same bartender they’ve seen for 20 years,” Affenita told the New York Post. “It’s not about selfies or shopping. That’s Hamptons energy. Montauk has soul.”

And if you think otherwise? “Well, you’re clearly not from here, my friend,” she added, with a laugh. “But thanks for stopping by.”

Despite being technically “the end of the line” on the Long Island Rail Road, Montauk has long offered a start to a simpler kind of summer. With a year-round population of just around 4,000 — compared to East Hampton’s 28,000, which reportedly swells to over 100,000 in the summer — Montauk keeps things, well, chill.

Yes, there are upscale touches creeping in (we’re looking at you, Surf Lodge and Gurney’s), but the town is still anchored by bait shops, clam shacks, and decades-old diners.

The New York Post noted that Montauk locals point to landmarks like the Montauk Fishing Station and Joe Titus’s Montauk corner store as proof of the area’s enduring authenticity. Walk along Main Street and instead of spotting luxury brands like Gucci or Chanel, you’ll find fisherman hoodies, surfboards, and racks of vintage tees.

John Fierro, who owns Fierro’s Pizza in both East Hampton and Montauk, explained it best: “East Hampton sold out. Prada, Gucci — it’s all there now. Montauk? It still feels like a hometown. You work hard, you know your neighbors.”

His gauge for authenticity? Youth sports. “My kids grew up in East Hampton, and whenever they played Montauk? Montauk kicked our asses,” he told the New York Post. “Those kids are tough. Their dads are fishermen. They know what work is.”

Montauk has no shortage of natural beauty either. Set against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean and flanked by rolling dunes and rugged beaches, it’s no wonder artists, writers, and surfers have long claimed it as their sanctuary.

Peter Moore, 69, a longtime Montauk resident and store owner, told the New York Post that while the town is seeing more youthful energy—thanks in part to outdoor concerts at the Surf Lodge—it still retains its quiet charm.

“We’re Hamptons-esque now, maybe, but only slightly,” Moore said. “People still come here to get away from the Hamptons, not to find it.”

At Sundae Fundae, a beloved Montauk ice cream shop, owner Nicole Meehan summed up the local sentiment: “If people want to call this the Hamptons, let them. Personally? I don’t think it is.”

“It’s a fishing village. It’s casual. The vibe is different,” she added. “We’re not in competition—we’re in a totally different league.”

So if you’re looking for a weekend full of luxury cars, exclusive beach clubs, and designer shopping, head to East Hampton or Southampton.