Georgica Awning-Gate: Matt Levine on Premature Retraction

Another rainy weekend had people deploring summer and its summery traditions -- with the Hamptons at the top of the seasonal hitlist. Some would even go as far to call Manhattanites' favorite weekend destination "the universe's vortex of suck," and with the recent velvet-rope antics at Matt Levine's Hamptons outpost Georgica, that seems to be a growing sentiment. Levine, best known for his tight door at The Eldridge in the Lower East Side, called for Georgica's awning to be rolled up, allowing potential patrons patiently awaiting entrance to get left out in the pouring rain. Seems heartless, but Levine has an explanation. PlumTV's wet video and Levine's take after the jump.

Says Levine:

The awning was pulled up as a request by security, and the entire door staff - it was pulled up at 11:00pm (was there all night prior, and then put back down) after dinner reservations were sat to help control the entrance for safety, security and causing a major fire hazard.  The awning was then put back down at around 12:00am (after the dinner / late-night rush came head to head). Between a smoking section, valet, people exiting, as well as people wishing to gain late-night access it caused a hazard, a huge clutter at the front entrance - so what we did, per security requests - we set up a seperate umbrelled smoking section, took care of valet in the lobby, and between security + door staff - they were umbrelling people.  Everyone was taken care of, and even with the rain, the night was extremely successful, every table was reserved and in the future guests wishing to stop by should make a reservation at reservations@MLCreativeGroup.com. And the rope by the entrance was put their because the parking lot was full, they should have left via the exit.