Confessions of a PR Queen: Kiara Horwitz Talks Hamptons

Meet Kiara!  After six years in the agency world, this South Africa native took the plunge and started her own PR company, Kiara Horwitz PR.  I had no idea what that meant, but after sitting down with Kiara, I realized she basically gets paid to party with celebrities.  After spending the first half of our meeting begging Kiara to put me on the list for a celebrity party, I was able to calm down enough to ask her some questions about what we can all look forward to this summer in the Hamptons.  

What does it mean to run your own PR company?  I represent an artist, Jeremy Penn, two restaurants in the Hamptons, Shagwong and the Salt Box, a retailer, Mixology, and a men's custom suiting brand, Steed & Wall.  I present clients to magazines, websites, TV and media channels, and plan events around different brands and venues and invite top-tier celebrities and influencers to attend. 

What celebrities have you worked with? Alessandra Ambrosio, Usher, AnnaLynne McCord, Jessica Stam, Taylor Swift, Kelly Bensimon, Victoria Beckham,  and Eva Longoria.  Usher was really cool.  He met up with me and Jeremy in the city for drinks and Jeremy gave him a hand-painted commission painting of him. 

What parties are you throwing this summer in the Hamptons?  Jeremy Penn did an entire collection of paintings for the Montauk Beach House and this Friday is the exhibition launch.  There will be a DJ, drinks, and a soft serve ice cream truck.  E-mail me to RSVP!  On July 11, I am doing the opening of Mixology clothing store in Westhampton, which will have a DJ and rose. 

Can you put me on a list for a cool party?  Because it’s my job to be social, I'm always either running a party or know someone running a party, so I’ve gotten used to people asking me to put them on lists.  I’m always happy to help when I can. 

Have you ever snuck into a party?  I snuck into a Beach Party in Miami during Art Basel once.  The key is to be creative, adventurous, and always just go for it. 

 What are the best new hot spots this summer? My clients, the Montauk Salt Box, and Shagwong, both owned by Jon Krasner.  Salt Box is a new go-to fish shack and bar located in the heart of Montauk, which encompasses everything Montauk-made.  The Shagwong is the oldest most iconic bar in Montauk that has just switched hands and will be your go-to local hangout, whether during the day or after hours.  Also Harbor, which is the after party spot to dance it up. 

 How can I keep up with the hot new places? You should read Hamptons Magazine, check out Montauk’s newest local publication, Whalebone, and follow my Instagram!

Email Kiara at Kiara@kiarahorwitz.com; Instagram: tiarawithak

Where to Party this Summer: Host Committee's Carli Roth Shares Her Tips for an Epic Summer Out East

As co-founder of Host Committee, the ground-breaking start-up that helps friends turn professional sporting, live music and theater events into incredible group experiences, Carli Roth certainly qualifies as an expert in partying.  Recently named one of the most powerful women in the Hamptons by Hamptons Magazine, and one of the most eligible women in New York City by Business Insider, this San Diego native has become a fixture in the New York social scene.  I was lucky enough to catch up with Carli about this summer's hot spots and get her advice on how to organize an epic get-together out east. 

Where will you be staying?  Either my favorite, the Atlantic Terrace, a motel in Montauk, or Sole East.

Getting there: drive, Jitney, train or Blade?  Generally I take the train there, but will do Jitney home if it’s a Monday morning or if I want to sleep.  Last summer, after too many bottles of rose on Sunday, we picked up a large pizza from Pizza Village, jumped in an Uber and drove back.  That was the best return ever.

Where are the hot spots this summer?  Definitely the Salt Box in Montauk, which just opened, by Jon Krasner, and obviously the original favorite, Surf Lodge. 

Any tips for surviving the Surf Lodge bathroom line?  Make friends with someone who has a hotel room...or utilize the secret bathrooms.

Where are you most looking forward to getting dinner?  Jon’s other restaurant, the Shagwong Restaurant in Montauk, and La Brisa, the Tacombi of Montauk.

What's the best place for a big group dinner?  Moby's in East Hampton.  Peaceful and gorgeous ambiance! They have these big communal picnic tables outside, live music and the food is delicious.

What’s the most fun group activity you've done in the Hamptons?  Spent the day cruising the bays, with pit stops in Shelter Island and Navy Beach.  Wine tasting in the North Fork is also fun. 

What's your perfect schedule for a day in the Hamptons?  Morning yoga at Love Studio in Montauk, followed by plenty of sunshine at Ditch Plains Beach, finishing off with a boozy day and boogie somewhere.

Let's talk about some of the classics.  How do you typically get into Ruschmeyer's? Say "hi" to Marcus.  Great guy.

Weirdest story from inside the Ruschmeyer's teepee:  A really funny game of spin the bottle.

Favorite memory from the Memory Motel:  My friend Julia and I jumped on stage with the band at four in the morning.  Swigs of Fireball, jamming out...we added a lot of extra spice to that performance to say the least.

Where will you be when you're not in the Hamptons?  Exploring new places in New York like Brooklyn Crab. 

Hamptons Hot Spots: A Handy Pocket Guide