Friends NYC Locations & How to Find The Friends House in New York!

Where? was the very last line of the best TV show on earth when Chandler asked where the gang should go to get coffee. Where? is the question I asked when I was going to New York to find the FRIENDS house in NYC that was on every single episode of F.R.I.E.N.D.S and etched into my heart.

I got there. And it was everything I thought it would be and more so I had to write about my experience and help other fanatics live out our sitcom dreams. So read on for how to find the FRIENDS house in New York as well as all the other FRIENDS NYC locations to see!

If you want to visit these locations, this guide will be there for you.

Disclosure: This blog post may contain affiliate links, meaning, at no extra cost to you, I may earn commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. When you see a link or banner, this could take you to that product/service website. For more information, see my Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions. And copious amounts of FRIENDS references AND SPOILERS to follow.

The One Where…

Contents (jump to)

About Friends NYC Locations

FRIENDS is one of the most famous US TV shows and almost synonymous with New York City as it was set here for 10 seasons between 1994 and 2004. The majority of filming, however, was in Burbank Studios in California but why let that stop us from visiting the city where our beloved FRIENDS lived, laughed and drank coffee!

Of course there are a few filming locations in NYC especially from the earlier seasons, mentions of places in New York as well as the building featured in every episode. I visited them and listed them here for you to see too.

Could we BE any more excited for these NYC FRIENDS locations?!

Where is Friends Set & Where Was Friends Filmed in New York?

The setting for the TV Sitcom is New York City where the gang live and work so there are a lot of real-life places (and people) referenced in the show which is why there are so many FRIENDS locations in NYC. The six live in Greenwich Village so the show used real apartment building exteriors while most interiors were on set in California, using some real New York places as inspo.

The love for New York portrayed in the series is unmatched and the place is really the backbone of the show.

‘New York is awesome’

‘What if you want Chinese food at 5am or a fake Rolex that breaks as soon as it rains?’

How To Find The FRIENDS House in New York

image of the corner of FRIENDS house in New York

This is the step-by-step guide to finding the famous building including how to get there, a map of NYC locations for FRIENDS, top tips for visiting this New York landmark and info on a FRIENDS tour NYC.

Friends Building NYC Address: 90 Bedford St, New York, NY 10014, USA

How To Get To Building

Head to Greenwich Village either by foot or by train. The best train line to take is 1 toward South Ferry and get off at Christopher Street (this is the closest metro to FRIENDS house in New York).
From Christopher Street station, turn right so the station is on your right and take your second right onto Bedford Street.
The building of FRIENDS is located on the corner of Bedford and Grove. You’ll likely see people gathered outside taking pictures, demanding Monica’s cookies, lottery tickets falling on your head and Ross watching from across the way.

Stay Near The FRIENDS House in NYC

I stayed in JG Sohotel in Soho which I LOVED and was walkable to all FRIENDS locations in Manhattan as well as other landmarks in New York. Search for your own accommodation here:

Keep reading below for all FRIENDS locations NYC.

FRIENDS NY Locations: The Homes

The following three FRIENDS NYC locations are located in Greenwich Village (referred to as ‘The Village’) and all within a few blocks from each other so if you follow my directions above to the FRIENDS apartment location, you can find Ugly Naked Guy and Phoebe’s apartments too.

‘Thanks to rent control it was a friggin’ steal‘

1) The New York FRIENDS Building

image of Shireen outside the FRIENDS house in New York

image of the FRIENDS building in New York street signs, corner of Bedford and Grove

Every single episode (all 236 of them) we see the FRIENDS apartment building exterior. It is located on the humble corner of Bedford and Grove and when I was there it honestly felt so surreal and like I’d been there a hundred times before!

I also took my own FRIENDS props for photos – it was lots of fun and I recommend getting your own to take with you!

image of Central Perk sign outside of the friends apartment in NYC

Image of Shireen and her sister outside the friends NYC location building

This is the Friends apartment in New York where all the friends have lived!

Apartment 5 (later 20) was owned by Monica and Ross’ grandmother and lived in by:

Ross when he tried to make it as a dancer
Monica & Phoebe
Monica & Rachel
Chandler & Joey
Monica & Chandler (with stints of Phoebe and Rachel in the guest room)

Apartment 4 (later 19) was rented by:

Chandler & (unseen) Kip
Chandler & Joey
Chandler & Eddie
Monica & Rachel
Chandler, Joey & Ross
Joey (with Janine, and with stints of Phoebe and Rachel in the guest room)
Joey & Rachel

Of all the FRIENDS filming locations, this is the most famous!

While there is no real FRIENDS cafe in NYC (there really should be), below the building is The Little Owl, a fictional Friends cafe NYC where you can reenact your favourite Central Perk FRIENDS scenes.

Address: 90 Bedford Street New York, NY 10014, USA

Fun fact: The building went under the radar for a while until a resident of the area disclosed it circa 1997.

2) Ugly Naked Guy’s Apartment (Later Ross’)

image of Ugly Naked Guy sign outside the apartment of FRIENDS NYC Location

image of Ugly Naked Guys apartment in New York

A running trope is that the friends spy on a neighbour who lives in the apartment building across the road who they call Ugly Naked Guy and we never see. They poke him to check he’s alive, in flashback scenes we learn he used to be cute and he has an Ugly Naked Gal on Thanksgiving.

Later Ross takes over the same apartment and it’s the moving in time where he and Phoebe find out about Monica and Chandler’s relationship.

This building is the setting for the iconic PIVOT scenes!

The building is also on Bedford and directly across the road from the main Greenwich Village FRIENDS apartment.

‘Ugly Naked Guy’s got a naked friend […] Oh my god, that’s our friend’

‘Go back to 3B, 3B’

3) Phoebe’s Apartment

image of Phoebe's front door apartment in Greenwich Village friends location in NYC

5 Morton Street New York where Phoebe lived in FRIENDS

We know that Phoebe does not live in the building but here is only one mention in the series of Phoebe’s address in, Season 7, Episode 15 The One With Joey’s New Brain, when she gives it to the guy who has left his phone so he can retrieve it and end up marrying Phoebe or Rachel.

It is assumed that Phoebe lives alone until she randomly reveals that her room mate is Denise and then Rachel moves in during Season 5 before the fire. Following the fire, Phoebe lives there alone (with Gladys, and briefly with Mike and rat babies).

In Greenwich Village FRIENDS homes are all within a few blocks so you can visit Phoebe’s using the below address.

Address: 5 Morton Street, Apartment 14, New York, NY 10014, United States

More FRIENDS Set NYC

And near the FRIENDS apartment New York you’d find:

The streets of Greenwich Village that were recreated for scenes like Joey pretending he owns a Porsche, The One Where They All Turn Thirty, Kristen moves in, Phoebe makes a woman apologise to the tree, Mike & Phoebe’s wedding and Rachel is sent in a cab to The Angelika
The subway recreated for when Joey is on a poster for an STD and Phoebe stalks her sister’s stalker
Restaurants recreated for when Monica yells in the kitchen, Ross gets stood up, they’re all late to Phoebe’s dinner, Rachel has an interview where her boss is on the table next to her, Joey doesn’t share food, Chandler gets it on with Julia Roberts and many more
The Village is home to lots of history including the birth of Gay Rights at Stonewall Inn, hangout spots for poets, philosophers and artists and of course the FRIENDS apartment building NYC. Take a guided tour of Greenwich Village to learn more.

Work Places of FRIENDS Film Locations

4) Bloomingdales

Rachel becomes an Assistant Buyer at Bloomingdales working with Mark (who Ross hates) and for Joanna (who Chandler dates) and is the springboard for Rachel’s fashion career in The Big Apple!

Address: 59th Street and, 1000 Third Avenue, Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10022, United States

‘My mom calls it Bloomy’s’

5) Solow Building

This is a New York City skyscraper where Chandler works as a Transponster* before going into Advertising. We briefly see the building in a few transitional filming of Friends but Chandler’s office if the setting for some great scenes: Chandler hiding away with cold feet, a colleague believing Chandler’s name is Toby, bossman Doug praising Chandler, and Joey and Phoebe both work for Chandler temporarily.

Address: 9 W 57th St, New York, NY 10019, United States

*What is Chandler Bing’s job? Statistical analysis and data reconfiguration!

‘It turns out, I do put my career before men’

I listened to Matthew Perry’s autobiography, Friends, Lovers & The Big Terrible Thing, on Audible which includes stories and thoughts about filming F.R.I.E.N.D.S, the cast and crew and how it truly changed his life and he looks back on it with nothing but love! It’s very moving to read but even better to listen to because Matthew is the narrator. Did you know you can get a free book on Audible by signing up to the free trial? Get your free book by Matthew Perry by signing up to Audible here.

6) Museum of Natural History

This is where Ross works as a Palaeontologist (until someone ate his sandwich), Carol tells Ross she is pregnant, Ross and Rachel…you know, and Joey briefly works as a tour guide.

Other NYC museums mentioned in FRIENDS include The Met where Joey takes Charlie the wrong way and The Guggenheim when Chandler is speaking to OH MY GOD, Janice online.

‘I’m Rhonda, and these aren’t real’

7) Saks Fifth Avenue

Rachel tried to get a job here early on in the show but it was Joey who actually worked here selling fragrance!

Address: 12 East 49th Street New York, NY 10017 United States

‘Bijan for men?’

‘It’s like the mothership is calling you home’

8) The Moondance Diner

In Season 3, Monica takes a job at The Moondance Diner where she meets Pete the billionaire and Rachel meets Mark who gets her a job in fashion. Every time a customer puts money in the jukebox, the staff have to sing and dance on the bar, similar to Ellen’s Stardust Diner in New York.

The Moondance Diner was located in SOHO in Lower Manhattan but is no longer there. You can still visit the site where it used to stand in New York or visit the abandoned diner in Wyoming!

Address: 88 Sixth Avenue, between Grand Street and Canal Street.

‘diner job, you know the one with the costumes and the dancing’

Next Read: All Locations from Mamma Mia II

Misc FRIENDS Shooting Locations & Mentions

9) Central Park: FRIENDS Location NYC

The green heart of Manhattan, you cannot visit New York without visiting Central Park and this is a staple New York FRIENDS locations.

Central Park was recreated in the studios for scenes like when Phoebe runs weird!

‘Central Park? I just came from the park’

The FRIENDS Experience – In New York City you can relive your favourite moments in a recreation of the famous sets including the girls’ apartment, the guys’ apartment, Central Perk, the fountain and orange couch, pivot around Ross’ couch and the iconic purple door! Get your tickets ahead of time here.

10) The FRIENDS Fountain NYC

Image of Shireen leaning on the Cherry Hill Fountain aka the Friends Fountain in New York

Image of the Cherry Hill Fountain aka the Friends Fountain in New York

Within Central Park you will find one of the most famous of the FRIENDS New York locations: The Fountain.

At the opening of every FRIENDS credits, the six dance around an orange couch and fountain with umbrellas to the famous FRIENDS theme tune, I’ll Be There For You.

Although the filming never took place in New York, the fountain is remodelled from Cherry Hill fountain located in Central Park making it one of the most iconic FRIENDS series New York locations!

Address: Cherry Hill, Central Park

So no-one told you life was gonna be this way

11) Washington Square Park

Image of Washington Square Park Arch in NYC

A real place where FRIENDS filmed in New York is Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village and the arch is used in many scenes of New York. Being so close to the apartments, it’s likely the gang would’ve came here a lot.

Address: Washington Square, New York, NY 10012, United States

Your job’s a joke, you’re broke, you’re love life’s DOA

12) Lucille Lortel Theatre

Image of Shireen outside the Lucille Lortel Theatre

The street sign outside the Lucille Lortel Theatre and toward the FRIENDS building in NYC

This off-broadway theatre is another actual FRIENDS filming locations NYC! Joey performs plays here, throughout Season 3 and notably in The One With The Screamer (Season 3, Episode 22) guest starring Ben Stiller where he loses it on poor people in his seat.

If you find the Friends apartment location NYC, walk to the end of the street and you’ll find the Lucille Lortel to tick off your FRIENDS locations in New York list!

Address: 121 Christopher Street New York, NY 10014

‘I’m not gonna pay for those acting classes anymore’

Need Mobile Data in the USA? Getting an Airalo E-Sim was the best thing I did so I could put all of these Friends NYC locations into my maps and find them easily! Get your USA E-Sim here and use my referral code, SHIREE9313, and we’ll both get $3 off!

13) Village Cigars

Image of Village Cigars in Greenwich Village NYC

This has no significance whatsoever to the show except that it is a real life FRIENDS filming locations in New York that is shown in early episodes of the series and is just a few blocks away from the friends building location.

I walked past here when I was scouting the FRIENDS building in NYC and instantly recognised this!

Address: 110 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014, United States

‘Oh, Dark Mother … once again I suckle at your smoky teat‘

14) Park Plaza

image of Park Plaza hotel in New York City

A New York City luxurious hotel, the Park Plaza has been a place mentioned and used in many films and TV Shows like The Great Gatsby, Home Alone II: Lost in New York, Gossip Girl and FRIENDS.

In Season 7, Episode 1, The One With Monica’s Thunder, after Monica and Chandler get engaged they decide on going for drinks at The Plaza to celebrate before Rachel steals Monica’s thunder and they end up staying and arguing in the apartment.
In Season 8, Episode 8, The One With The Stripper, Rachel tells her father that she’s pregnant and when he assumes that Rachel and Ross will get married, her father tells her that he’ll book the Plaza before Phoebe makes her tell him the truth.

Another real FRIENDS NYC location mentioned is the Morgan Chase Museum where Monica jokingly puts her name down for a wedding, unbeknownst to her that Chandler was planning to propose. LOVE Mondler!

‘Rachel Karen Green, tell me there’s going to be a wedding’ ‘February 2nd’

15) Madison Square Garden

This is the home stadium of FRIENDS beloved New York Rangers and New York Knicks.

In Season 1, Episode 4, The One with George Stephanopoulos, the guys go to Madison Square Garden to watch a hockey game and Ross is hit in the face by a puck.
In Season 1, Episode 23, The One With The Birth, Joey helps a woman give birth who believes the Knicks suck and Joey takes offence.
In Season 4, Episode 13, The One With Rachel’s Crush, Rachel buys Joshua Knicks tickets as a date but he takes both tickets instead.
In Season 4, Episode 19, The One With All The Haste, Monica and Rachel try to bribe Joey and Chandler with Knicks tickets.
In Season 9, Episode 18, The One With The Lottery, Joey says he’d buy the Knicks.
In Season 10, Episode 8, The One With The Late Thanksgiving, Ross and Joey go to a New York Rangers game knowing they’ll be late for Thanksgiving.

‘The Knicks rule all’.

Madison Square Garden is located in the heart of Manhattan and there are multiple games you can watch here.

16) Newark Airport

Newark Airport is actually located in New Jersey but is one of the multiple airports that takes you to NYC.

This is the airport where Rachel was getting the plane to France and Ross and Phoebe rush to stop her so Ross can tell her he loves her and they can finally get back together and all will be good with the world. Devastatingly, Ross and Phoebe drive to JFK airport instead but with Phoebe’s crazy driving, they make it to Newark so the lobsters can reunite. In true FRIENDS fashion, they leave us thinking the lobsters are over forever until our darling sweet Rach gets off the plane.

‘Newark Airport, why where are you?’. ‘JFK’.

17) Times Square

While nothing was filmed here from FRIENDS, this is still a New York City must-visit place. Here you can see the famous ball that drops on New Year’s Eve and mentioned on the show. Times Square also showed the final episode of FRIENDS where hundreds of people gathered to watch it, and cry, together for the end of an era.

‘CUT’ ‘NOOOO…YEAR, HAPPY NO YEAR!‘

Join a Friends Tour New York

There are many FRIENDS tour in New York which will take you to all these places with a guide so if you want ease to sit back and just enjoy the ride – join one of these Friends tours NYC below:

Private Guided Tour of FRIENDS in New York City Including Skip-The-Line FRIENDS Experience Tickets – This is the ultimate FRIENDS NYC tour because it is totally private, takes you around the whole city in your own ride, has a knowledgable guide providing insider stories and hitting you with Friends trivia as well as skip-the-line tickets for the FRIENDS NYC experience to re-enact your favourite scenes on the FRIENDS set.

Greenwich Village Specific TV Show Guided Tour – If you’re a fan of other TV shows based in NYC then this is the perfect tour that includes Sex & The City, Glee, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and of course FRIENDS TV show NYC locations that were all set and based in Greenwich Village.

3 Hour New York City TV Show & Movie Tour – Visiting more FRIENDS TV show locations in New York outside of The Village, this tour will take you to them and many more like Seinfeld, How I Met Your Mother, and movie locations from Ghostbusters and Spiderman. This tour includes private transportation around the city to save your legs!

Map of FRIENDS Locations New York

This was one of my favourite experiences in my life because I’m a F.R.I.E.N.D.S fanatic and now a New York fanatic! Have you been to NY? Have you visited the FRIENDS TV show New York locations? Let me know below.

Friends NYC Locations & How to Find The Friends House in New York!

The One Where…

About Friends NYC Locations

Where is Friends Set & Where Was Friends Filmed in New York?