Long before Davis Park became the summer community it is today, this stretch of land was owned by Mr. Davis of Blue Point, New York. After his passing, much of the land was given to the Town of Brookhaven, while a portion was left to his sons. One of them would eventually sell his share to four friends—Lee Coffin, Ed Sembler, Joe Gerard, and Al Brown, giving this piece of land the name LEJA Beach. From that partnership, the Casino was born.
On June 6, 1945, just one year after the D-Day invasion, the Casino Café & Bar officially opened its doors. Back then, it was simple, just a bar, a snack counter, and a small grocery store. There was no easy access to electricity or running water, and getting here wasn't as simple as hopping on a ferry. In those early days, patrons arrived by sailboat. Slowly, the infrastructure caught up with the vision. Docks were built and ferries began to run. The Casino quickly became more than just a place to eat or drink—it became the place. A place where strangers became friends, and friends became family.

There were long summer nights that seemed like they'd never end, impromptu celebrations, and traditions that could only exist here. There was even a Sunday Mass held at the bar—because when a place becomes central to a community, it becomes something more than just a building.
By 1995, the Casino had become a fixture of generations. Families who had been coming for decades gathered to celebrate its 50th anniversary. It was a night full of stories, laughter, and memories. What no one realized at the time was that it would be the last celebration in that original building.
In the early winter of '96, a powerful January nor'easter swept through and took the structure with it. In a matter of hours, decades of history were gone. Jim Tully and his partners—only the second owners in the Casino's long history—refused to let it disappear. In just a few short months, a new structure stood ready. Then, on a cool April day in 1996, it was floated across the bay to its home here in Davis Park.
In the years since, the Caz has carried that legacy forward, preserving the spirit of the Casino while ensuring it continues to evolve for new generations. As Kristin Tully-Downs put it, "People were excited to celebrate the history of the place. I'm beyond overwhelmed by the love it has from the community. Just incredible."

That love was on full display on June 6th, 2025, when the Casino celebrated its 80th anniversary. Hundreds of friends, families, and longtime patrons gathered on a perfect June night. Eighty summers of friendships formed at the bar and stories that somehow get better every time they're told. Generations have passed through these doors, yet the feeling remains the same.
Because while the world outside has changed in countless ways, something about this place hasn't.
The Casino—"the Caz" to those who know it best—remains where everything happens. Where Ocean Ridge meets Davis Park. Where a single night can turn into a lifelong memory. Where you arrive for a drink and end up staying for something much bigger.
Some things change. This place doesn't.