Off Key Tikki to become The Baja Boathouse

In November 2022, Mike Bruemmer, owner and operator of Off Key Tikki, a popular tropical-themed bar, grill, and marina in Patchogue, sold the property and restaurant after 15 seasons in business. The new owner is Lenny Oliva, a Long Island restaurateur whose portfolio also includes Prato 850 in Commack and Bar Grazie in Massapequa Park, and who will be operating the establishment as The Baja Boathouse. Oliva is also gearing up to open Avianna’s Carriage House in Melville, as well as a coal-fire pizza concept in Patchogue.

Bruemmer, who will be staying onboard when the Boathouse first opens to help the new ownership get acclimated, said he feels that he has accomplished everything that he wanted to in this community. He appreciates that he played a small part in the revitalization of the village of Patchogue and its river, he said, adding that the offer he received (the property and restaurant sold for $3.4 million) will allow him to move on to his next chapter. He’s planning to head to Florida after this summer, he said, buying a 4-acre piece with a 12-room motel and owner’s house, which he hopes to develop into a kind of mini tropical resort.

“Hopefully, I’m still going to have some of the social aspects that I do enjoy here, and the opportunity to be creative and build things,” Bruemmer said of his move. He admitted that he won’t miss Long Island winters or property taxes, but he will miss the water and the customers who have become friends over the years.

For Oliva’s part, he said he is looking forward to his first seasonal waterfront eatery. He is no stranger to the Patchogue area, he said, as he has been to half of the restaurants and spent many summers in the town and is wildly impressed by the developmental progress Patchogue has made over the years.

Oliva and his team are currently preparing for their grand opening in 30 days, ensuring the kitchen is equipped for an extensive full-service menu and painting the space to achieve “more of a South Beach vacation vibe.”

As far as menu items, Oliva said he plans to offer some Latin flair, street food, tacos, empanadas, large sandwiches, fresh mussels and clams, to name a few. Additionally, he looks forward to adding a wood-fired pizza oven out on the patio and a 6-foot barbecue pit.

“The density in Patchogue is great, especially in the summertime,” Oliva said. “The waterfront has been the best-kept secret down there. And I think in the next 10 years, it can really be a monster of hospitality and a true destination point from the west coming out east.”