The Upper East Side is featured in a number of Seinfeld episodes
The Upper East Side is featured in a number of Seinfeld episodes | Seinfeld/Castle Rock Entertainment

The Seinfeld Fan’s Guide to the UES, Part I

Nearly 25 years have passed since the “show about nothing” went off the air, bringing an end to a nine season run that will forever be remembered among televisions best. Despite being set on the Upper West Side, the idea for Seinfeld, the tv show, was born right here on the Upper East Side, when Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David were comedians performing here on the UES. 

Catch A Rising Star [CLOSED] 

1487 First Avenue 

Episode: The Movie

Catch a Rising Star comedy club was located at 1487 First Avenue
Catch a Rising Star comedy club was located at 1487 First Avenue | Seinfeld/Castle Rock Entertainment

Jerry Seinfeld got his start performing stand-up comedy on the Upper East Side and the club Catch a Rising Star, which was located on First Avenue between East 77th and 78th Streets, became part of a storyline in a season four episode where the gang meets up at the movies.

Catch a Rising Star is featured in the season four episode 'The Movie'
Catch a Rising Star is featured in the season four episode ‘The Movie’ | Seinfeld/Castle Rock Entertainment

After showing up to perform a 9:50 pm set at Catch a Rising Star, Jerry finds out that he missed his spot because his stage time was actually 9:15 pm and an obnoxious comedian named Pat Buckles took his place.

The building at 1487 First Avenue is vacant, fenced into a construction site | Upper East Site
The building at 1487 First Avenue is vacant, fenced into a construction site | Upper East Site

Beach Cafe [OPEN]

1326 Second Avenue

Episodes: The Switch, The Money 

George asks Babs Kramer to spy on his date at Beach Cafe
George asks Babs Kramer to spy on his date at Beach Cafe | Seinfeld/Castle Rock Entertainment

When George thinks his model girlfriend is bulimic, he seeks out a bathroom matron at Beach Cafe to spy on her, Babs Kramer. Babs is Kramer’s estranged mother, however, after reconciling with her son, Babs quits her job at Beach Cafe and the whole plan backfires on George.

George confronts his date, who he believes is bulimic, at Beach Cafe
George confronts his date, who he believes is bulimic, at Beach Cafe | Seinfeld/Castle Rock Entertainment

We see Beach Cafe again later in the series when George, who feels like Elaine is “sticking it to him” by buying him a bag of coffee beans— Arabian mocha java— takes Elaine, Jerry, Morty and Helen Seinfeld to an expensive dinner to show he’s got money too.

Beach Cafe is located at 1326 Second Avenue, at the corner of East 70th Street | Upper East Site
Beach Cafe is located at 1326 Second Avenue, at the corner of East 70th Street | Upper East Site

Frank and Estelle Constanza show up at Beach Cafe while they’re dining, announcing they’ve come for an “upscale dinner” after decided to blow their life savings instead of leaving it to their son.

“Look George, it’s a Pierre Cardin!”

Frank & Estelle Costanza have an upscale dinner at Beach Cafe | Seinfeld/Castle Rock Entertainment
Frank & Estelle Costanza have an upscale dinner at Beach Cafe | Seinfeld/Castle Rock Entertainment

Fitzpatrick’s [CLOSED]

1641 Second Avenue

Episodes: The Boyfriend, The Hot Tub

Fitzpatrick's was located at 1641 Second Avenue, at the corner of East 85th Street
Fitzpatrick’s was located at 1641 Second Avenue, at the corner of East 85th Street | Seinfeld/Castle Rock Entertainment

This former Upper East Side watering hole sitting at the corner of Second Avenue and East 84th Street makes two appearances in the long running series.

First seen in ‘The Boyfriend’ during Senfeld’s third season, it’s the bar where former Mets first-baseman Keith Hernandez takes Elaine on their second date, flirting over drinks and a series of baseball-related puns.

Keith Hernandez and Elaine go on their second date at Fitzpatrick's
Keith Hernandez and Elaine go on their second date at Fitzpatrick’s | Seinfeld/Castle Rock Entertainment

Things go south for the burgeoning couple when Hernandez sparks up a cigarette, which immediately grosses out Elaine. Jerry later compares her to the Surgeon General.

1641 Second Avenue was recently home to The Daisy and will become Two Little Red Hens Bakery | Upper East Site
1641 Second Avenue was recently home to The Daisy and will become Two Little Red Hens Bakery | Upper East Site

Fitzpatrick’s would appear again in the show as the bar where George takes those sons’ of bitches from the Houston Astros out for drinks after being assigned by Mr. Wilhelm to show them a good time because George seems burnt out from work.

ALSO READ | The Best Burgers on the UES According to Upper East Siders

Poppie’s [FICTIONAL]

1394 Third Avenue

Episodes: The Pie, The Couch

The fictional restaurant Poppie's was located at 1394 Third Avenue
The fictional restaurant Poppie’s was located at 1394 Third Avenue | Seinfeld/Castle Rock Entertainment

Jerry’s girlfriend Audrey— the one who wouldn’t try the apple pie at Monk’s— takes him to her father’s restaurant, Poppie’s, for dinner, when Jerry sees that “Poppie got a little sloppy” and was preparing food without washing his hands after using the toilet. 

Jerry wont eat at Poppie's after seeing Poppie use the bathroom and not wash his hands
Jerry wont eat at Poppie’s after seeing Poppie use the bathroom and not wash his hands | Seinfeld/Castle Rock Entertainment

In the same episode, Audrey, the hostess at Poppie’s tells a caller on the phone that the restaurant is on 77th, but eagle-eyed Seinfeld fans have identified the storefront as being on Third Avenue near East 79th Street— located in what is now Luke’s Bar and Grill.

Poppie's isn't real, but the address shown 1394 Third Avenue is home to Lukes Bar & Grill | Upper East Site
Poppie’s isn’t real, but the address shown 1394 Third Avenue is home to Lukes Bar & Grill | Upper East Site

Jerry and Elaine later come back to Poppie’s to try the duck, which must be ordered in advance, but get into an argument over abortion and storm out. Poppie’s is also where Kramer unsuccessfully tests his make-your-own pizzeria concept.

Westbury Hotel [CLOSED]

15 East 69th Street

Episode: The Jacket 

The Westbury Hotel was located at 15 East 69th Street
The Westbury Hotel was located at 15 East 69th Street | Seinfeld/Castle Rock Entertainment

In season two, Jerry and George met Elaine’s father, acclaimed author Alton Benes, in the lobby of the now-defunct Westbury Hotel on East 69th Street before heading to dinner. While waiting for Elaine to arrive — who is running late because she’s helping Kramer pick up birds to babysit while a friend is out of town — Mr. Benes’ gruff demeanor makes Jerry and George very uncomfortable. 

Jerry and George meet Alton Benes at the Westbury Hotel
Jerry and George meet Alton Benes at the Westbury Hotel | Seinfeld/Castle Rock Entertainment

At one point, Mr. Benes tells Jerry he reminds him of the tail gunner of his platoon while serving in the Korean War.

“They blew his brains all over the Pacific,” said Mr. Benes, “there’s nothing funny about that.”

The Westbury Hotel has been turned into condominiums and will become home to a pricey member-only club| Upper East Site
The Westbury Hotel has been turned into condominiums and will become home to a pricey member-only club | Upper East Site

The Westbury Hotel would later be converted into condominiums and is now slated to become home to a ritzy members-only club.

Melody Stationers [CLOSED]

1070 Madison Avenue

Episodes: The Invitations, The Summer of George 

Melody Stationers was located at 1070 Madison Avenue
Melody Stationers was located at 1070 Madison Avenue | Seinfeld/Castle Rock Entertainment

The very real but very defunct Melody Stationers on Madison Avenue is where George, being “very careful” with money as Elaine describes him, picks out ugly, cheap wedding invitations with his fiancé Susan Ross. The clerk warns the invitations have weak adhesive on them, so George says he’ll pick up some Elmer’s glue. He doesn’t, Susan licks dozens of envelopes and keels over— killed by toxic adhesive on the envelopes.

Susan Ross died after licking toxic adhesive on envelopes from Melody Stationers
Susan Ross died after licking toxic adhesive on envelopes from Melody Stationers | Seinfeld/Castle Rock Entertainment

Melody Stationers returns to the show when George becomes Jerry’s relationship intern to help him keep up with his new girlfriend Lanette– an ethically non-monogamous waitress who dumps her primary partner, Lyle, for the comedian.

A Johnny Was boho-chic clothing store now occupies 1070 Madison Avenue | Upper East Site
A Johnny Was boho-chic clothing store now occupies 1070 Madison Avenue | Upper East Site

George slips on an invatation he picked up for Jerry and falls down a flight of stairs, severely injuring his legs ending The Summer of George.

ALSO READ | Where to Get the Best Bagels on the Upper East Side

Pasteur Pharmacy [OPEN]

806 Lexington Avenue 

Episode: The Sponge

Elaine bought a case of Today Sponges from Pasteur Pharmacy on the UES
Elaine bought a case of Today Sponges from Pasteur Pharmacy on the UES | Seinfeld/Castle Rock Entertainment

If it weren’t for Elaine Benes, we wouldn’t have the word spongeworthy. Thankfully we do and it’s all because she was able to score a case of 60 recalled Today Sponges.

Pasteur Pharmacy is where Elaine bought a case of Today Sponges
Pasteur Pharmacy is where Elaine bought a case of Today Sponges | Seinfeld/Castle Rock Entertainment

“They’re for sex!” the pharmacy tells the small town Massachusetts courtroom where the gang is on trial in the final episode, serving as a character reference for the prosecution.

Pasteur Pharmacy is still located at 806 Lexington Avenue, near East 62nd street
Pasteur Pharmacy is still located at 806 Lexington Avenue, near East 62nd street | Google

Metropolitan Hospital Center [OPEN]

1901 First Avenue

Episodes: The Suicide, The Contest, The English Patient

Metropolitan Hospital on East 97th Street is seen in the series three time
Metropolitan Hospital on East 97th Street is seen in the series three time | Seinfeld/Castle Rock Entertainment

The first time we see Metropolitan Hospital Center, located on East 97th Street in East Harlem, is the same episode where Newman makes his first appearance on the series in the show’s third season.

Jerry’s neighbor Martin is in a coma at Metropolitan after attempting suicide in a jealous rage because Jerry flirted with his girlfriend Gina. Jerry moves from flirting to making out with Gina and Newman threatens to rat him out, however, the postman’s silence is bought with a full-size Drake’s Coffee Cake. Elaine, hallucinating from hunger while fasting for an ulcer test, ruins the deal by eating Newman’s coffee cake.

Jerry's neighbor Martin is in a coma at Metropolitan Hospital after a suicide attempt
Jerry’s neighbor Martin is in a coma at Metropolitan Hospital after a suicide attempt | Seinfeld/Castle Rock Entertainment

Metropolitan Hospital Center’s most important appearance on Seinfeld comes midway through the fourth season when George’s mother catches him, you know— he was alone. Anyway, Estelle Costanza falls after seeing him “using his body as an amusement park” and is in traction at Metropolitan. 

George's mother is hospitalized at Metropolitan after catching her son using his body 'like an amusement park'
George’s mother is hospitalized at Metropolitan after catching her son using his body ‘like an amusement park’ | Seinfeld/Castle Rock Entertainment

The East Harlem medical center is seen once more in the series when Neil—  boyfriend to Danielle, who confuses George for him at Monk’s— is hospitalized with burns to his face from crepes rolled too tight. 

Metropolitan Hospital is located at East 97th Street and Second Avenue | Upper East Site
Metropolitan Hospital is located at East 97th Street and Second Avenue | Upper East Site

Coming up in part two of our Seinfeld Fan’s Guide to the Upper East Side, we’ll have two additional neighborhood restaurants featured in the show that are still open for business, the UES hospital where Susan Ross was pronounced dead and one famous location not seen in the show— the Lenox Hill deli where Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld conceived the idea for ‘a show about nothing.

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