Starstruck Fans' Guide to Spotting Celebrities in Montauk This Summer

MONTAUK, NY - If your idea of a summer paradise includes vast expanses of open air and sandy beaches, coupled with great food, hip music and sexy spaces to chill and play all season long, nothing beats Montauk.

Hey, where else can you gaze at the constellations in the sky as easily as you can spot a real-life star hanging out on an outdoor couch listening to live music?

Here are eight of the top Montauk celebrity hot spots over the past few summers:

Call the vibe rustic, sexy cool and say "hello" to The Surf Lodge, the epicenter of Montauk chic, set to open for the season on May 6.

Last summer The Deck at the Lodge was so sizzling hot that Leo DiCaprio and Taylor Swift both found unique uses for their couches — he spent an afternoon getting cozy with his supermodel of the month — and Swift posed for a photo shoot in the same location. The crowd is as diverse as Montauk itself.

Ruschmeyer’s looks and feels like a summer camp for twenty-somethings—situated on three-plus areas, the 19-room inn/restaurant rocks. The jammed parking lot on weekends doesn’t prepare you for the laid back visuals you’ll encounter — and the stars you’ll spot, including a dressed-down Carolyn Murphy, supermodel.

Navy Beach is the only hot spot located right on a 200 foot private bay beach, yet just a short walk from the last stop on the Long Island Rail Road. Located on a private alcove, the inside bar/restaurant has the vibe of a cool dive that opens up onto a paradise of summer fun. Watching the sunset here is a rite of Montauk summer passage — and you can eat, drink, swim, paddle board and lounge as you star gaze. Past celeb sightings include Paul McCartney, Jimmy Buffet, Donna Karan and Angelica Houston.

Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa is the grande dame of Montauk hot spots. At 90 plus years old, it recently underwent a $5 million renovation. Combining upscale beach decor with 5-star service and the only summer Beach Club on a 1000 foot long white sandy ocean beach — it’s no surprise the celeb clientele opt for privacy as they sip their rose and savor lobster rolls. But Jimmy Fallon, Cameron Diaz, Bill O’Reilly and Naomi Watts are among the A-list visitors in recent years. On a historical note: Richard Nixon wrote his 1968 Republican Convention nomination speech here.

Most of the action at Sole East, an ultra trendy boutique hotel just steps from the town center, with an outdoor restaurant, takes place poolside. It’s family friendly, yet with a hipster vibe that bestows enough cool status for Kristen Dunst to do a photo shoot there.

Dave’s Grill has had shoutouts from celeb chef Katie Lee —as she gave major props to a dish that combines lobster and calamari — and cookbook/lifestyle guru/actress Gwyneth Paltrow. Paltrow, on her weekly lifestyle publication, Goop.com, marveled at the “epicness” of The Barbara dessert—a brownie topped with an ice cream sundae—which she savored.

The Crow’s Nest is famous for its food, which draws in celebs like actress Stephanie March and SNL’s Lorne Michaels. Hang with other A-listers around the outdoor fire pit with a drink and a waterview before dining.

Montauk is more than drinks, music and food — even for celebs. Last summer Bill Clinton was spotted at Montauk's Puff ’N’ Putt mini golf — so keep your eyes peeled wherever you go.

Patch file photo.