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Where to spot celebrities in New York

Find out where to spot celebrities in New York.
New York’s the playground of Ryan Gosling, Kate Moss and a whole limousine full of A-listers. And, with tonnes of TV shows and movies set in the city, it’s almost impossible not to stumble across a live film set. To make your celebrity spotting easy, we’ve picked out the top haunts of famous faces, including everywhere from secret speakeasy bars to big name tourist attractions. And, if you’re feeling inspired, you’ll be pleased to know that exploring a new city with TUI has never been easier. Flexible flights, central hotels and transfers are all included, so all you’ve got to worry about is that selfie angle when you bump into Ryan Gosling on 44th Street...

ROSE BAR, GRAMERCY PARK HOTEL

Celeb sightings are as common as margarita orders here at Rose Bar. Hidden behind a velvet curtain at the bottom of the boutique Gramercy Park Hotel, the bar’s a magnet for Ryan Gosling, Kate Moss, Lindsay Lohan and The Jonas Brothers. In fact, there’s a new star propped up at the bar here on a daily basis. And it’s no wonder. Touted as one of New York’s most stylish bars, even the cocktails here look runway-worthy – we’d recommend a freshly-shaken Old Fashioned. You’ll be impressed by the décor, too. The walls are studded with photos of icons and original Andy Warhol pieces as well as a huge open fire to keep you toasty if you’re exploring in the winter months. And, if you’re there on a Tuesday, you’ll be treated to live Jazz orchestrated by none other than Lady Gaga’s music director. Keep an eye out for Lady Gaga while you’re there – she’s been spotted sashaying through the lobby several times.

LA ESQUINA, 114 KENMARE STREET

With a strict reservations-only policy and a secret door labelled ‘Employees Only’ for VIPs to make a hidden entrance, it’s no wonder Kate Hudson, Julia Roberts and George Clooney are among the celeb clientele at La Esquina. While it doesn’t look like much from the outside, the no-frills Mexican eatery has a hipster interior and an exclusive tequila bar hidden away in the basement. Food doesn’t get much fresher here, either, with lots of it being cooked in front of hungry customers. Tuck into organic tacos, take your pick of the tapas selection and wash it all down with a pitcher of sangria. If you’ve got room for dessert, stick a spoon in the Mexican chocolate lava cake – if it’s good enough for Kate Hudson, it’s good enough for us.

ROCKEFELLER CENTRE, 50TH STREET

One of New York’s most iconic attractions, the Rockefeller Center is on everyone’s must-visit list. And, talking of icons, it’s a bit of a celeb hotspot too. So, if you stand outside it for long enough you’re sure to see a famous face leaving its doors. Members of The Saturday Night Live cast, including Will Ferrell, Tina Fey and Jimmy Fallon, are often spotted coming and going – and they’re usually happy to pose for selfies or sign a few autographs.

BEAUTY & ESSEX BAR, 146 ESSEX STREET

A favourite of Oprah Winfrey, Beauty & Essex Bar is a speakeasy bar hidden behind a pawn shop in Lower East Side. Slip behind the saxophone, vintage jewellery and one-off artefacts and you’ll find the extravagant entrance – a grand, circular staircase that snakes around the biggest chandeliers in New York. It’s not all about drinks though. While the Pearl Lounge stirs and shakes handcrafted cocktails, the jewellery box themed dining rooms pair world-class service with seriously tasty dishes cooked up by head chef Chris Santos – a man whose reputation has branded this place as one of the hottest new restaurants in the city.

THE SUBWAY

Yep, even celebs have to get from A to B – and it looks like they’re not afraid to ditch their limousines and hop on the subway to get their faster. Madonna, Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Karlie Kloss and Helen Mirren have all been spotted recently taking a ride, and some have even been known to pose for pictures while they’re there, too. While some wear disguises (look out for those all-telling sunglasses and droopy hats) others have no problem blending into the crowds. After you’re done selfie-hunting, there are over 472 stations to hop off at, and some are definitely worth a visit thanks to their art and views over the city. Ride the line to 181st Street Manhattan to find the entrance adorned with art deco stylings or make your way to Smith on 9th Street in Brooklyn for the highest station in New York. Nearly 90 feet above ground level, you’ll find striking views of the One World Trade Centre and the Lower Manhattan skyline.
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Author: Lucy Perrin

Last updated: 23.04.2018

Holiday Type

Destination

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