Hotel
The Standard, High Line
Another iconic downtown hotel known for its celebrity scene and nightlife in the Meatpacking District.
Cultural Significance
The Bowery Hotel, located at 335 Bowery on the border of the East Village and NoHo, represents a distinctly 21st-century approach to celebrity hospitality. Opened in 2007 by hotelier Sean MacPherson and Eric Goode, the hotel was designed to feel less like a traditional luxury establishment and more like a bohemian fantasy — a place where the glamour of old Hollywood meets the gritty creative energy of downtown Manhattan. This deliberate aesthetic, combining vintage furnishings, exposed brick, Persian rugs, and working fireplaces with impeccable service, created a new template for the kind of hotel that appeals to celebrities who consider themselves artists first and famous people second.
The hotel's lobby bar quickly became one of the most important social spaces in downtown New York. Unlike the formal bars of Midtown's grand hotels, the Bowery's lobby feels like an impossibly stylish living room where anyone might walk in — and frequently, that "anyone" includes some of the most famous people in the world. Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart held court here during the height of Twilight-era fame. Keith Richards treated it as an extension of his own living room. Johnny Depp, Drew Barrymore, and Kirsten Dunst became fixtures. The lobby bar became a place where celebrity sightings were so common that they almost ceased to be remarkable, which was precisely the point.
The Bowery Hotel also became infamous as one of New York's most active paparazzi hotspots. The hotel's single entrance on the Bowery made it easy for photographers to stake out, and during the late 2000s and early 2010s, the sidewalk outside became a nightly gauntlet of flashing cameras. This dynamic created a paradox that defines the hotel's cultural identity: it is simultaneously a place where celebrities go to escape the spotlight and one of the most reliable locations in the city to be photographed, a tension that only adds to its mystique.
Notable Celebrity Moments
2007
Opening Night Creates Instant Buzz
The Bowery Hotel opens its doors and immediately becomes the most talked-about new hotel in New York. The opening party draws a mix of downtown creatives, fashion figures, and celebrities who recognize that MacPherson and Goode have created something genuinely new — a hotel that feels like a private club for the culturally connected. Within months, it becomes the default choice for visiting celebrities who want downtown authenticity.
2009
Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart Era
At the height of Twilight mania, Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart make The Bowery Hotel their New York base, generating constant paparazzi attention and tabloid coverage. Their presence transforms the hotel's entrance into one of the most photographed doorways in Manhattan, with fans and photographers camped outside hoping for a glimpse of the young stars.
2011
Keith Richards' Downtown Living Room
Keith Richards becomes one of The Bowery Hotel's most iconic regular guests, frequently spotted in the lobby bar in his signature style. The Rolling Stones guitarist's presence epitomizes the hotel's appeal to rock and roll royalty, blending seamlessly into the vintage-bohemian atmosphere that makes the Bowery feel like a rock star's fantasy of what a hotel should be.
2013
Johnny Depp's Extended Stays
Johnny Depp becomes a frequent guest at The Bowery Hotel during his New York visits, drawn to the hotel's artistic atmosphere and downtown location. His stays generate significant media attention and reinforce the hotel's reputation as the preferred address for Hollywood's most unconventional leading men. Depp is often photographed by paparazzi on the Bowery sidewalk.
2016
Drew Barrymore's Lobby Bar Presence
Drew Barrymore becomes a beloved regular at The Bowery Hotel's lobby bar, often spotted enjoying cocktails and conversation in the fireside seating area. Her warm, approachable presence embodies the hotel's democratic spirit, where celebrities mingle naturally with locals and the creative class in an environment that discourages the velvet-rope mentality of uptown establishments.
2019
Fashion Week Headquarters
The Bowery Hotel solidifies its status as a go-to base for models and designers during New York Fashion Week, with the lobby becoming an unofficial after-party venue where the fashion world's elite gather after downtown shows. The concentration of famous faces during fashion week transforms the hotel into a living editorial, with street-style photographers joining the paparazzi on the sidewalk outside.
In Film & Television
The Bowery Hotel's distinctive aesthetic has made it a natural choice for film and television productions seeking to capture contemporary New York cool. The hotel has appeared in "Gossip Girl", where its downtown location and celebrity clientele align perfectly with the show's depiction of young, glamorous New York. Its lobby and exterior have been featured in numerous fashion editorials and music videos that use the space as visual shorthand for effortless sophistication.
The hotel's lobby bar has been used as a filming location for scenes in "Sex and the City 2" (2010), and its distinctive exterior on the Bowery has appeared as a backdrop in "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" (2014) and multiple independent films set in the East Village. Reality shows including "Project Runway" and "America's Next Top Model" have filmed segments at the hotel, leveraging its association with the fashion world and celebrity culture.
Related Venues
Hotel
The Mercer Hotel
SoHo's legendary celebrity hideaway, another downtown boutique hotel favored by the famous.
Restaurant
The Waverly Inn
Another Sean MacPherson establishment and celebrity dining destination in the West Village.
Frequently Asked Questions
About The Bowery Hotel
The Bowery Hotel has been a favorite of A-list celebrities since its opening in 2007. Regular guests have included Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Keith Richards, Johnny Depp, Drew Barrymore, Kirsten Dunst, Jake Gyllenhaal, and many other Hollywood and music industry figures who prefer its downtown bohemian atmosphere.
The Bowery Hotel became a paparazzi hotspot due to the sheer concentration of celebrity guests and its single entrance on the Bowery. During the late 2000s and 2010s, the sidewalk outside became a nightly gauntlet of photographers, making it one of the most reliable spots for celebrity sightings in downtown Manhattan.
The Bowery Hotel's lobby bar is widely regarded as one of the best hotel bars in New York City. Designed to feel like a glamorous living room with vintage furnishings, fireplaces, Persian rugs, and low lighting, the space attracts a mix of hotel guests, local creatives, and celebrities. It is known for its cocktails, relaxed atmosphere, and the possibility of spotting famous faces.