The Stephen Talkhouse Launches New Flavors of Ready-Made Drinks

When Ruby Honerkamp was about 3 years old, Sting, international star and lead singer and bassist for The Police, performed at her family’s bar, the Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett.

“My parents told me to wear my prettiest dress,” Honerkamp said on a recent afternoon while staff was readying the bar for a busy night. “I wore my velvet Christmas dress in August. I was sitting on the bar, not knowing what was even going on, putting ice cubes down my dress.”

Now, Honerkamp is making sure the show goes and everyone stays cool with new flavors of the Talkhouse Encore ready-to-drink canned cocktails.

“It’s called Talkhouse Encore because it’s the idea that the show will go on beyond the bar and into your home,” Honerkamp explained of the name.

The line of authentic, spirits-based seltzers inspired by the iconic Hamptons-based venue announced the launch of new Iced Tea and Lemonade Vodka Soda, as well as a variety pack. Iced Tea and Lemonade Vodka Soda is 5 percent alcohol by volume and crafted with premium vodka, real fruit juice and has no artificial flavoring or added sugar.

The new flavor pays homage to the East End classic known as the “Bonac Tonic,” a blend of freshly brewed iced tea and lemonade.

The Talkhouse Encore variety pack includes two of each flavor: Blood Orange Tequila Soda, Grapefruit Tequila Soda, Lime Vodka Soda and the new Iced Tea and Lemonade Vodka Soda.

“I have memories of this place that are really special,” Honerkamp said, adding that seeing Coldplay at Stephen Talkhouse the same year they played the Super Bowl was “insane.” “I’ve also seen lovely intimate bands no one’s ever heard of, whose songs are so genuine and beautiful,” she said.

In 1970, the Stephen Talkhouse was a bar on Main Street in Amagansett with just a jukebox. Peter Honerkamp and his family bought the venue in 1987, built the stage and pushed it as a live music venue — and it stuck.

Over the decades, it’s been famous for hosting artists such as Paul McCartney, Jimmy Buffet, Paul Simon, Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Dave Matthews Band, and others. Adorned on the walls are autographed photos of performers who have graced the famous stage.

“We didn’t change the name,” Honerkamp said. “It was in celebration of Stephen Talkhouse. We kept it as a place of celebration and turned it into a live music venue.”

The Stephen Talkhouse is named after a famous Montaukett Native American, Stephen Taukus “Talkhouse” Pharaoh, who lived from 1821 to 1879. He was famous for his 25-to-50-mile daily round-trip walks from Montauk to East Hampton and Sag Harbor. It is also said that he was a descendant of Chief Wyandanch, who sold a substantial portion of eastern Long Island to Lion Gardiner.

Now, the bar is run by Peter Honerkamp, Marcy Honerkamp, Ruby’s mother, and Max Honerkamp, Ruby’s brother. Marcy Honerkamp is and has been the bookkeeper since the very beginning. In addition, all the mosaics hanging proudly in Talkhouse are made by Marcy. Max Honerkamp now runs the bar and books live music, following in his father’s footsteps.

“You could be in the audience and, randomly, Jimmy Buffet is in the audience and jumps on stage and performs his second-to-last show,” Honerkamp remembered. “This is an old school dive bar, music venue. We never want to sell out or change the narrative.”

In recent years, word has spread about the Talkhouse, and the line to get in can often be seen extending down Main Street on any given Saturday night. To see a small business take this turn, “it feels larger than life,” Honerkamp said.

Honerkamp was raised in East Hampton and graduated from East Hampton High School in 2009. She attended Emerson College in Boston and moved to New York City for 10 years following graduation.

“I always wanted to be out here, but it’s hard to find a career that allows you to afford to be out here,” Honerkamp said, adding that she was living in New York City, but when COVID hit, she boomeranged home.

At the time, she was working in the marketing department for a luggage company. During the pandemic, travel was put to a halt, as was the need for luggage. Honerkamp was furloughed from her job and came home and even her family’s bar had shuttered its doors.

“The reason the Talkhouse is still here is because of its investment in the community,” Honerkamp explained, adding that so many businesses out East can be so transient and present for just one summer. “We stay open, and we take care of the people that work for us and come to us. We are a staple. My brother is doing a great job in continuing to honor that legacy.”

Ten years ago, Honerkamp’s brother, Max, toyed around with creating a draft beer. Ruby Honerkamp remembered that while brainstorming ideas on how to keep the Talkhouse brand alive during the pandemic. The idea came when she thought, “How can we extend the Talkhouse experience? Open another place, start a podcast?”

“Your basic drinks never taste the same,” Honerkamp thought, recalling nights at the Talkhouse where her tequila soda had too much alcohol, too little alcohol, or was exactly right.

The brand started with four flavors — tequila blood orange, tequila grapefruit, vodka lime and vodka cranberry. Last summer, they introduced the “Hamptons Mule,” which has since gained traction.

Honerkamp added that the biggest part of the Talkhouse’s identity is their loyal and dedicated staff. Over 20 employees have worked with the Talkhouse for over 10 years, including five that have been employed over 30 years. “All the bartenders and all the staff are family. They’re so loving and loyal and dedicated and such special people.

“The beauty is that I know I will never shy away from the values that my dad invested in this place,” Honerkamp said, adding that right now the drinks are selling fast in New York City and upstate New York. “Take care of the people. Take care of the community. Nothing is ever going to be perfect. Just try as hard as you can.

“The reason people come back time after time is because of the familiarity and how organic and authentic and unpretentious the Talkhouse is,” she added. “We’re not trying to be something that we’re not. Everyone is welcome. You can be in board shorts or a tuxedo. It’s all the same.”