It’s Raining Rolls-Royces.

Although rain cancelled the polo match, the exclusive party in the VIP tent at Bridgehampton Polo continued on Saturday July 28th. Designer Nicole Miller didn’t get the chance for the opening coin toss, but still displayed her signature style. Many a fashionable Hamptons woman was checking the weather on her iPhone with its special Nicole Miller designed case.

Guests were treated to a preview of the newest models from Rolls-Royce. While polo ponies aren’t keen on the rain, these luxury rides performs in any weather, even having an RR umbrella secretly stashed in a compartment inside the door. I asked if I could get the same pop out for my favorite lipstick and not only did they say they’d work on it, they’d even match the interior color of the car to my favorite shade.

This top name in luxury cars is actually two. Founders Charles Rolls and Henry Royce wanted to produce the world’s best cars at the turn of the twentieth century using only the finest materials. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars was licensed to BMW in 1998 and the incredible horse power engine is made in Germany and the cars hand-finished by 60 auto artisans in England.

Your wish is Rolls-Royce’s command. Top jewelry designer Michelle Farmer learned that she could even have a safe installed in her “boot” to transport her precious baubles.

The boot can be customized to include a refrigerated cooler and wine rack with a special fold-out door creating a picnic bench. For the top-end Bridgehampton Polo tailgater all you have to do is add a special picnic basket from Tutto Il Giorno including their hand-made Burrata flown in from Italy (be sure to order by Wednesday for the Saturday match polo@tuttoilgiorno.com.)

For the long-legged beauties in short skirts, getting in and out of the Rolls-Royces, the special “coach door” allows lady-like access with a special switch seat-side to close the door in case the chauffer isn’t at hand. In the rain the black Ghost (starting at $250,000) with its extended wheel base had enough interior room to house its own party, and if the occupants wanted to make it private, with a push of a button the curtains would close.

The Phantom Drophead Coupé (convertible to you and me) had flocks of stylish admirers. The Phantom (starting at $490,000) brought out many a man and woman’s inner James Bond with its heads up display where speed and navigation appear on the windshield so you don’t even have to look down.

And in the “they’ve thought of everything” category – their iconic hood emblem, The Spirit of Ecstasy, comes in gold plate, crystal, or can be illuminated from the inside. Its special security system kicks in when anyone tries to pull it off, automatically retracting it into the hood.

While it used to be that you had to be a Rolls-Royce owner to be in line for the newest models, you can still get your name on the list for the newest 2013 models due in October. For the potential customer you can also arrange through the Rolls-Royce Experiences Concierge to have a loaner for a day or be picked up to go to dinner to get the hands on experience here in the Hamptons through mid August.

CAVIAR, CIGARS, AND CRYSTAL BOWL COCKTAILS ARE NOT JUST FOR CELEBRATIONS

The lessons learned under the VIP Tent at Bridgehampton Polo included that the finest things in life don’t have to be reserved for special occasions.

Owner Michael Kline of Pointy Snout Caviar pointed out that great caviar isn’t just for New Years but perfectly pairs with cocktails on a Saturday afternoon. “Throw out the rules and be free to treat yourself,” he advised. Guests clearly took his advice. Alexandra Du Cane explained the secret to their success is that their farm raised White Sturgeon are free from pollutants found in the open seas and despite the fact that they are all fed the same diet, each fish will produce a slightly different tasting caviar (which apparently are never mixed to preserve the flavor.)

The rain didn’t dampen spirits, only matches, as in the light-my-fire kind. The Davidoff Cigar Garden visitors faced lighting challenges with wet matches, yet as one gentleman commented, “It’s not really a tough life if that’s all we have to complain about.” They said normally they were only “celebration” cigar smokers but were tempted to try Davidoff for the first time and commented on its smooth flavor. “We’ve grabbed a few for later,” they admitted.

The cancellation of the match was a disappointment to Romée De Goriainoff, founder of the Experimental Cocktail Club, who had flown in from Paris for the game. “It will have to remain in my imagination,” he joked. Romée picked Bridgehampton Polo for his U.S. debut of his highly successful bar and restaurant venture to complement the ECC’s opening in New York City on the Lower East Side. “This is the only sport that is still as it was fifty years ago,” he commented. “It’s high quality without being flashy — very classy and chic.” It matches his vision for the perfect cocktail with the freshest ingredients paired with high end spirits.

The ECC cocktails expertly mixed by Xavier Herit ranged from the “Grass Kilt” featuring Great King blended scotch whiskey infused with pineapple, honey and cinnamon to the “Captain Grog” with three different types of rum, almond, vanilla, grapefruit, and maple syrup. Romée commented, “Punches are the monarch of drinks and historically the first cocktails.” Served in vintage crystal bowls and glasses, it added a great presentation. After one of the Captain Grogs I no longer worried about my humidity hair which resembled a growing Chia Pet.

The Experimental Cocktail Club began with Romée and his partners’ desire to create a lively bar and social scene. What became a hit in Paris extended to London and recently crossed over to the U.S. In terms of locations, Romée said they picked places they themselves would like to go. It’s easy to see why everyone would want to follow the charming Frenchman. We hope despite the poor weather the Hamptons might be considered for a new ECC home. Perhaps the day would inspire a new cocktail called “Hamptons Rain Water.”

Stacey Gordon from Quintessentially, the global private members concierge club, has tapped Bridgehampton Polo as their VIP experience for their New York members. They also have a Southampton pop up club with wellness classes, charity events and even sunset reggae. Their high goal game is to create memorable moments where their members get to mingle. The VIP Tent at Bridgehampton Polo proved that if you are in good company, even the ultimate bad hair day can’t ruin your fun.

As always a special Bridgehampton Polo shout out to the charity which receives the $25 entry fee per car – The Bridgehampton Day Care and Recreation Center.

For more information bhpolo@shaminabaspr.com or call 631-237-5388.