Friends Building

The Basics

There aren’t many tourist attractions around the building used as a location onFriends, but die hard fans won’t want to miss an opportunity to take a picture in front of the building and grab a bite at the Little Owl, the restaurant on the building’s ground floor, where the show’s Central Perk cafe was located.

Walking tours of Greenwich Village almost always point out the building, as do many TV- and movie-themed tours of New York City. If you want to be sure you’ll get a photo in front of the famous façade, consider booking a private tour of bohemian Greenwich Village with your own dedicated guide.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Don’t forget your camera for a photo op at theFriends building.

• Take your photos from the sidewalk across the street, rather than from the middle of the road, as many fans try to do.

• Please remember that this apartment building is home to local families; do not disturb the residents.

How to Get There

TheFriends Building is at 90 Bedford Street, which is about a 3-minute walk from the Christopher Street subway station (the 1 and 2 trains) and a 6-minute walk from the West 4th Street Station (the A,C,E and B,D,F,M trains). It is also just a 5-minute walk from the building that served as the location for Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment onSex and the City.

When to Get There

For the best chance of capturing a selfie in front of the building without other fans getting in the way, plan to visit early in the morning on a weekday, though be aware that this is a residential neighborhood, and locals will be walking to the subway during the morning rush hour.

Other Friends Locations in NYC

The Big Apple is filled with filming locations, including several others that were also used onFriends. Head to the Plaza Hotel to see the fountain that served as the inspiration for the one in the show’s opening credits, or tour the American Museum of Natural History, which was the inspiration for Ross’s New York Museum of Prehistoric History. Phoebe’s apartment is located at 5 Morton Street.

Where is the Friends Building located in New York City?

The Friends Building—aka, the apartment building where the TV show Friends was set—is located at 90 Bedford Street, New York, NY 10014, in downtown Manhattan’s Greenwich Village neighborhood. The six-story apartment building was built at the end of the 19th century and is a popular destination for the show’s fans.

Can you visit the Friends Building in New York City?

No, the inside of the Friends Building is not accessible to visitors. The apartment building is residential and does not have any tourism facilities. Though its exterior was made famous by the show Friends, filming never actually took place in the building. (There’s no Central Perk, either.)

Are there tours available for the Friends Building?

Yes and no—the apartment building is a popular stop on a range of sightseeing itineraries; however, tours do not go inside the Friends Building. You can see and photograph it as part of a Greenwich village walking tour, a New York filming locations excursion, or an independent visit.

What is the best way to get to the Friends Building?

The best way to get to the Friends Building is via public transportation. To get there on the subway, take the 1 train to Christopher Street–Stonewall, or take the A, B, C, D, E, F, or M trains to W 4 St–Washington Sq. PATH trains also stop at Christopher Street.

What other famous landmarks are near the Friends Building?

The Friends Building is located in Greenwich Village, which is famous for its brownstones (including one from the show Sex and the City). Also nearby is The Stonewall Inn, an icon of American LGBTQ+ history, and Washington Square Park, considered the heart of New York University’s campus.

Are there any *Friends*-themed cafés or shops near the Friends Building?

No, there aren’t any Friends-themed cafés or shops near the Friends Building. (The show’s café, Central Perk, never existed in New York, and the ground floor venue in the Friends Building is unaffiliated.) However, you can shop for souvenirs at The Friends Experience, located at 130 East 23rd Street.

Ways to explore

Greenwich Village is well worth exploring on foot, but don’t expect to see too many locations from Friends—there aren’t many tourist attractions here you’ll recognize from the show. Yet die-hard fans won’t want to miss the opportunity to grab a bite at Little Owl, the restaurant located on the building’s ground floor, where the show’s Central Perk café was supposedly located.

To maximize time in Greenwich Village, join a neighborhood tour. Tours almost always point out the building, as do many TV- and movie-themed tours of NYC. Neighborhood tours that focus on art, food, and ghosts are also available.

Accessibility

Most hop-on hop-off buses that provide service to the area are accessible; some Greenwich Village streets are narrow and made of cobblestone, and visitors with limited mobility may have difficulty navigating them.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Camera, sunscreen, water bottle

What to wear

Comfortable shoes, layers

Not allowed

Because it’s a private residence, the Friends building is not open to the public.

Amenities

Greenwich Village is home to bookstores, cafés, restaurants, bars, and more.

Address

The Friends building is at the corner of Grove and Bedford Streets in Greenwich Village. It is well-served by public transportation. This location is also just a 5-minute walk from the building that served as Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment in Sex and the City.

Driving

Greenwich Village is a dense neighborhood, and driving is generally not recommended. Those who choose to drive can try their luck with street parking or pay expensive fees to park in a parking garage such as Metropolis on Morton Street.

Public transportation

The Friends building is about a 3-minute walk from the Christopher Street Subway station (1 and 2 trains) and a 6-minute walk from the West 4th Street station (A, C, E, B, D, F, and M trains).

Best times to visit

For the best chance to capture a selfie in front of the building without other fans getting in the way, plan to visit early in the morning.

Best days to visit

Weekend mornings are generally quiet in Greenwich Village (on weekdays, expect locals to be walking to the subway during the morning rush hour).

Best months to visit

The spring and fall are generally the best times of year to visit NYC, so plan a trip during May, June, September, or October for optimal sightseeing weather.

Special events

Greenwich Village hosts a variety of festivals and events, including Pride celebrations, the Village Trip Festival with musical concerts, and the annual Halloween parade.