'Dine On 25' Transforms Downtown Riverhead For 2 More Nights

RIVERHEAD, NY — The popular "Alive on 25" street festival was reimagined due to the coronavirus pandemic and now, the Dine on 25 event will continue with two additional dates throughout August, including Thursday night.

According to the Riverhead Business Improvement District, Dine on 25 closes Main Street to vehicle traffic, allowing eateries to transform the space into a socially-distanced dining area.

The event is scheduled for two additional Thursday evenings on August 13 and August 27.

“We’ve seen how quickly these businesses have had to change their operations to adapt throughout the pandemic,” Riverhead BID President Steven Shauger said. “We’re now adapting too, to keep Riverhead alive and vibrant throughout the season. Dine on 25 is a solution-based event series designed to help our local eateries and downtown businesses recover losses after the COVID-19 shutdown.”

Diners, he said, can spread out safely and enjoy live music, food and drinks from participating restaurants, breweries, and the distillery. Seating is available al fresco on sidewalks and in the street, as well as at businesses already offering indoor and outdoor dining. Participating businesses can be found here.

“Our first two Dine on 25 events in July were a success, and met with positivity from both businesses and the community,” Riverhead BID Executive Director Kristy Verity said. “Our hope was to lift the spirits of people and offer a way to enjoy being away from home, yet feel safe going out. We wait all year for these warm summer nights. It’s refreshing to see people smiling and reconnecting, even while adhering to the safety precautions in place.”

Social distancing protocols are observed: Reservations are strongly suggested, and face coverings are necessary when not seated. Patrons will only be served when seated at a table. A full list of safety measures can be found here.

“We are following every safety protocol and working closely with our state and local enforcement agencies under current regulations. We’ve been without incident so far; everyone genuinely wants a nice night out and to help boost the local economy," Verity, added.

Dine on 25 is exclusively sponsored by sPower, allowing the Riverhead BID to support restaurants with furniture rentals and entertainment at little or no cost, Verity said. "The BID is grateful for sPower's ongoing support in helping us to spur economic activity in the community through experience, arts, and culture," Kristy Verity.