TikTok user @colebrewnyc, known as Colette, posted a video criticizing what she describes as an influx of influencers in Montauk. The clip has accumulated more than 107,000 views and 490 comments. Colette does not name specific individuals but voices frustration about changes in the community where she grew up.
Lifelong Resident Describes Shifting Atmosphere
Colette identifies herself as a lifelong Montauk resident who has watched the area transform significantly in recent years. She said the shift accelerated after the COVID-19 pandemic, when visitors began flocking to the hamlet in larger numbers.
She recounted visiting The Montauket, a local dive bar she frequented almost daily with her family as a child. Colette described the venue as once “chill” but now difficult to enter, with lines sometimes stretching down the block.
“[It] is devastating to me, because that place means a lot to me,” she said.
Behavior, Not Popularity, Drives Frustration
Colette clarified that the increased popularity itself is not the core issue. Instead, she said she is frustrated by the conduct of certain visitors inside establishments like The Montauket. She noted many patrons appeared young and dressed in a style she associated with influencers.
The bar offers a sunset view, and Colette said some people pushed through crowds to reach the fence for photos. She also discussed the behavior of young male influencers, contrasting Montauk’s current reputation as a party destination with her childhood memories of the area.
Another concern she raised involved what she described as rude behavior toward residents who do not match visitors’ expectations of the community.
“Stop pretending to be fake rich for your Instagram story,” she said.
Commenters Echo Concerns About Visitor Conduct
The video sparked debate in the comments section, with many users expressing frustration over the treatment of locals and the performative nature of some visits.
One commenter wrote, “I can’t wait for influencer culture to be over.”
Another user laid out expectations for travelers: “Rule 1 of Travel: Support the local businesses. Rule 2 of Travel: Respect the locals,” said another user.
Several New Yorkers shared parallel experiences in their own neighborhoods.
“They did the same thing to most of lower Manhattan. I’m so over them,” one commenter said, while a Brooklyn resident added, “As a native Brooklynite that witnessed it happen in my neighborhoods about a decade ago, I feel you… wish I could say it gets easier but it only gets worse.”
Others argued that visitors prioritize content creation over genuine experience.
“Nobody wants to enjoy the experience they only want to log and post the experience,” another user wrote.
The Daily Dot was unable to independently verify the details of Colette’s experience. The details above are based on the account shared by @colebrewnyc on TikTok.
