Echo Style: Spotting the stars

As New York Fashion week kicks off this Friday, however, the Big Apple will become a veritable magnet for stars and models alike. Spotting celebrities will be like shooting fish in a barrel — if you know where to go, that is.
For those who aren’t lucky enough to have runway seats, the Irish Echo recommends where to look out for celebrities behaving badly outside of the tents at Bryant Park.

Langan’s
150 W. 47th St. (between Sixth and Seventh Aves.)
Celebrities themselves may not come here but you might just overhear snippets of fashion week gossip that will appear on Page Six the next day. A favorite watering hole of editorial staff at the nearby New York Post offices (even Rupert Murdoch stops by on occasion), Langan’s has a portrait of renowned Australian and New York Post writer Steve Dunleavy etched into one of the glass panels.
Langan’s close proximity to the tent and some of the high-end venues on Times Square means that celebrities are never far away. With celebrated food and live music, there will be plenty of reasons to stick around even if gossip proves thin on the ground.

Bungalow 8
515 W. 27th St. (between 10th and 11th Aves.)
Celebrity clubmistress Amy Sacco knows the recipe for success. Don’t be fooled by the scrapyard surroundings — voted the number one place to pick up a celeb last year by New York magazine, Chelsea club Bungalow 8 is as popular with New York celebrities as laxatives are with supermodels.
Navigating the Fort Knox-style door policy is a challenge; with its Miami inspired poolside glamour and impossibly A-list VIP lounge, even celebs may be lining up to get in to Bungalow 8 come fashion week.
Once inside, you might celebrate by treating yourself to a serving of Tsar Imperial Osetra caviar ($1,200) or a glass of Dom Perignon (a mere $35). For a cheaper buzz, see how many Hollywood hotties you can spot — Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie are regular patrons, to name a few.

Marquee
289 Tenth Ave. (at 27th St.)
Normal folk who brave the long lines and strict doormen at this Chelsea hotspot are often left disappointed — but at least all that queuing allows you to check out the countless celebrities as they sail past the line and in the door.
Inside, the drinks are pricey but the celeb spotting opportunities are endless. Justin Timberlake is a big Marquee fan; himself and Britney used to be regulars, but now he’s more likely to be spotted getting down to hip hop beats on the second level dance floor with girlfriend Cameron Diaz. Other regular patrons include Jessica Simpson, J-Lo and P-Diddy.

Balthazar
80 Spring St. (between Broadway and Crosby St.)
Owned by Celebrity restaurateur Keith McNally, Balthazar brasserie attracts celebrities and trendy New Yorkers effortlessly with its fabulous food and evocative Parisienne d