Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis and Kim Cattrall in ‘Sex and the City’.Photo:HBO/Getty
HBO/Getty
Arguably, the passion forSex and the Cityis growing even fiercer now that all six seasons are available to streamon Netflixstarting April 1.
This renewed excitement forSex and the City,coupled with the ongoing Max sequel seriesAnd Just Like That,is creating new fans and sparking intense nostalgia for those who’ve been with Carrie since her first pair of Manolos. It has also led to curiosity about where theSex and the Cityseries was filmed.
Since New York City served as the fifth main character in the iconic show, episodes showcase many real-life locations around Manhattan. All these years later, folks can still see where Carrie and Big (Chris Noth) fell into a pond, Miranda and Steve (David Eigenberg) recommitted to their marriage and Samantha channeled her British alter egoAnnabelle Bronstein.
There are even severalSex and the Citytours offered in the Big Apple that allow viewers to snap a picture next to Carrie’s famous brownstone stoop in the West Village or enjoy a Cosmopolitan at the tavern where Steve and Aidan (John Corbett) opened Scout bar.
So where wasSex and the Cityfilmed? Here are some of the most iconic real-life locations to visit after watching the hit dramedy.
Carrie Bradshaw’s Apartment Building
Sarah Jessica Parker and Chris Noth as Carrie Bradshaw and Mr Big. in front of her apartment on Perry Street in New York City.Debra L Rothenberg/FilmMagic
Debra L Rothenberg/FilmMagic
Location: 66 Perry Street
Despite Carrie revealing 245 E. 73rd Street to be her address while flirting with politician Bill Kelley (John Slattery), production used a real West Village row house at 64 Perry Street for the first three seasons and later next door, 66 Perry Street, for exterior shots of Carrie’s apartment.
Today, visitors can snap a picture near the steps Carrie walked up after several bad dates or take a stroll down Perry Street and spot where Big tried to win Carrie back before she jetted off to Paris. Guests are not allowed to stand or sit on the steps of the building, however, since it is a real-life private residence.
The Loeb Boathouse
Chris Noth and Sarah Jessica Parker as Mr. Big and Carrie Bradshaw at the Loeb Boathouse in ‘Sex and the City’.Craig Blankenhorn/HBO/courtesy Everett
Craig Blankenhorn/HBO/courtesy Everett
Location: Park Drive North, E. 72nd Street
Miranda warns Carrie not to have lunch with Mr. Big. But true to character, Carrie doesn’t listen — and as a result, she winds up falling into Central Park Lake next to the Loeb Boathouse restaurant.
Apart fromSex and the City, fans of the filmsWhen Harry Met Sally(1989),Borat(2006),and27 Dresses(2008) may also recall spotting this N.Y.C. landmark.
The Plaza Hotel
The Plaza Hotel in ‘Sex and the City’. Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw, Chris Noth as Mr. Big.HBO
HBO
Location: 768 5th Avenue
Carrie utters the iconicThe Way We Were(1973) line “Your girl is lovely, Hubbell” to Big right outside the famous Midtown hotel, the venue for Big and Natasha (Bridget Moynahan)’s engagement party.
Visitors may walk to the entrance of The Plaza to spot where Carrie and Big had their heart-to-heart exchange and then go inside to see the luxury hotel’s impressive, elegant interior decor.
The Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge in ‘Sex and the City: The Movie’.HBO
In rom-com fashion, at the end of the firstSex and the Citymovie (2008), Miranda and Steve embrace on the 141-year-old Brooklyn Bridge and commit to moving past Steve’s marital indiscretion.
Just as they walked to the center of the bridge from separate ends, visitors from Brooklyn can enter the bridge pedestrian walkway at Tillary Street and Boerum Place. Meanwhile, those coming from Manhattan can enter near the east side of City Hall Park along Center Street.
Pastis
Pastis Restaurant in ‘Sex and the City’. Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw, Mikhail Baryshnikov as Alexsandr Petrovsky.HBO
Location: 52 Gansevoort St
“There’s ten thousand restaurants in New York, and everyone’s at Pastis,” Carrie and Aleksandr Petrovsky (Mikhail Baryshnikov)’s brunch date crasher declares in the last season of the series.
The restaurant is where Carrie and Aleksandr enjoy brunch with the artist’s friends as Aleksandr proudly reads lines from Carrie’s column.
It’s alsoreportedthat this is the brunch spot where a jealous Stanford Blatch (Willie Garson) berates Carrie for befriending shoe importer Oliver Spencer (Murray Bartlett).
WhenSex and the Citywas filmed, Pastis was a popular celebrity and socialite hangout in the Meatpacking District. Despite shutting down for years, the restaurant is back up and running across the street from the original venue.
Onieal’s Bar
O’Nieals Bar in ‘Sex and the City’. Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw.HBO
Location: 174 Grand Street
Carrie brings a mulberry bush to this bar and later reunites with Aidan, the ghost of her relationships' past.
The real-life Soho tavern Onieal’s served as the backdrop for Scout bar, Steve and Aidan’s joint business venture.
New York Public Library (Main Branch)
The New York Public Library in ‘Sex and the City: The Movie’.HBO
Location: 476 Fifth Avenue
Viewers of the series and first movie may remember seeing this iconic N.Y.C. venue a few times.
The steps of the New York Public Library are where an empowered Miranda offends two strangers with her “he’s just not that into you” gospel.
Fans also see the New York Public Library again in the first movie after Carrie decides it’s where she wants to marry Big.
Visitors can enjoy a formal tour of the building, which opened in 1911, or take a quick glimpse inside to snap a few pictures of the staircase where Big tells Carrie that he can’t go through with their wedding.
Magnolia Bakery
Magnolia Bakery in ‘Sex and the City’. Cynthia Nixon as Miranda Hobbes and Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw.HBO
Location: 401 Bleecker St
Although there are now several stores across the Big Apple, the Magnolia Bakery on Bleecker Street is the original location where Carrie and Miranda sit outside with pink cupcakes and talk about Carrie’s crush on Aidan.
The spot is conveniently located right around the corner from Carrie’s apartment building on Perry Street, making it easy for fans to hit both places in a matter of minutes.
The renowned bakery even has pink buttercream Carrie-themed cupcakes fans can order for pickup. Cupcakes aside, Magnolia is also well-known for their “world-famous” banana pudding.
Jefferson Market Garden
The Jefferson Market Garden in ‘Sex and the City’.HBO
Location: 511 Sixth Avenue
There’s certainly no “ick” factor when it comes to Jefferson Market Garden in Greenwich Village — just ask Miranda.
The real-life garden where she and Steve get married flourishes next to the can’t-miss Victorian Gothic Jefferson Market Library building on 6th Avenue.
Today, couples can use the space for wedding ceremonies, wedding photos and recommitment ceremonies. Visitors may also wander around the grounds during the daytime between Tuesday and Sunday to admire the various flowers and shrubs.
Soho House
Soho House in ‘Sex and the City’.HBO
Location: 29-35 9th Ave
Soho House New York is one of several Soho House locations around the world featuring exclusive world-class luxury spas, pools, restaurants and bedrooms for paying members.
The rooftop pool at Soho House is where Samantha enjoyed summer afternoons until she got caught.
Columbus Circle
Carrie Bradshaw and Aidan Shaw at the Columbus Circle fountain in ‘Sex and the City’.HBO
Location: Broadway, Central Park West, 8th Avenue, and 59th Street
One of the most heartbreaking scenes in the entire series takes place in front of the fountains at Columbus Circle. It’s here that Carrie and Aidan break off their engagement.
Visitors can walk right up to the traffic circle at the southwest corner of Central Park. As visible during Carrie and Aidan’s breakup scene in season 4, the Columbus monument, dedicated in 1892, sits at the center of the area.
The bronze Maine monument, also featured in shots from the scene, sits across the street in Merchants’ Gate Plaza.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir
The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir in ‘Sex and the City’. Kristin Davis as Charlotte York.HBO
Location: Central Park
Charlotte’s favorite running spot with her pup, Elizabeth Taylor, is located at the heart of Central Park and features panoramic views of the historic buildings surrounding the reservoir.
source: people.com
