Event Venue
Cipriani Wall Street
Another Cipriani-managed landmark event space, the neoclassical venue in the Financial District.
Cultural Significance
The Rainbow Room is one of New York City's most enduring symbols of glamour and sophistication. Opened in 1934 on the 65th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, it was conceived as the crown jewel of John D. Rockefeller Jr.'s ambitious cultural complex, a supper club that would offer dining, dancing, and entertainment against the backdrop of the most spectacular urban panorama on earth. With its famous revolving dance floor, art deco interiors, and 360-degree views of the Manhattan skyline, The Rainbow Room instantly became the place where New York's elite came to see and be seen.
For decades, The Rainbow Room defined the concept of the New York supper club. Frank Sinatra performed here. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers danced on the revolving floor. Tony Bennett considered it a second home. The room's combination of live music, fine dining, and breathtaking views created an experience that embodied the romantic ideal of New York City nightlife — the kind of place where you dressed to the nines, danced cheek to cheek, and watched the city lights stretch to the horizon in every direction. This was not merely a restaurant; it was an experience that could make anyone feel like a star.
The Rainbow Room's location atop 30 Rockefeller Plaza also gives it a unique connection to television history. Since 1975, Saturday Night Live has been broadcast from Studio 8H in the same building, and The Rainbow Room has served as the traditional venue for SNL afterparties. Every host, musical guest, and celebrity audience member has ascended to the 65th floor after the live broadcast, making The Rainbow Room a witness to some of the most memorable nights in the history of American television. This connection to SNL has introduced the venue to successive generations and ensures its continued relevance to contemporary celebrity culture.
Notable Celebrity Moments
1934
Grand Opening Above Manhattan
The Rainbow Room opens on the 65th floor of the newly completed 30 Rockefeller Plaza, immediately establishing itself as the most glamorous venue in New York City. Opening night draws the cream of Manhattan society, with guests marveling at the revolving dance floor and panoramic views that stretch from the harbor to the bridges. The venue becomes an instant icon of art deco elegance.
1950
Frank Sinatra's Legendary Performances
Frank Sinatra performs at The Rainbow Room during the height of his career, delivering intimate shows that take advantage of the room's unique acoustics and intimate atmosphere. Sinatra's presence at the venue helps define the Golden Age of the American supper club, establishing a standard of sophistication and star power that subsequent performers at the venue would aspire to match for decades.
1975
The First SNL Afterparty
Saturday Night Live premieres in Studio 8H, and The Rainbow Room hosts the first of what will become a decades-long tradition of SNL afterparties. George Carlin, the show's first host, joins the original Not Ready for Prime Time Players at the 65th-floor celebration, inaugurating a tradition that will bring virtually every major celebrity in American entertainment through the Rainbow Room's doors.
1996
Tony Bennett's Signature Residency
Tony Bennett performs a celebrated series of shows at The Rainbow Room that become defining moments of his late-career renaissance. Bennett, who considered the venue one of the great rooms in American music, delivers performances that connect the supper club tradition to a new generation of listeners, with celebrity audience members and devoted fans filling the room for evenings of timeless elegance.
2014
The Grand Reopening
After a five-year closure for renovation, The Rainbow Room reopens under the management of the Cipriani family. The reopening gala draws a constellation of celebrities, media figures, and New York power brokers, all eager to see the legendary venue restored to its former glory. The renovated space preserves the iconic revolving dance floor and art deco details while updating the kitchen and service to contemporary standards.
2024
SNL's 50th Anniversary Celebration
The Rainbow Room plays a central role in celebrations surrounding Saturday Night Live's landmark 50th anniversary, hosting events that bring together generations of cast members, hosts, and celebrity guests. The venue's unbroken connection to SNL's history — from the first afterparty in 1975 to the golden anniversary — makes it one of the few spaces in New York that can claim to have witnessed the entire arc of a cultural institution's life.
In Film & Television
The Rainbow Room has been featured extensively in film and television as the quintessential New York venue. It appears prominently in "Sleepless in Seattle" (1993), where the romantic possibilities of New York City are embodied in the venue's sweeping views and sophisticated atmosphere. The room has also been featured in "30 Rock", Tina Fey's beloved NBC comedy set in the same building, where it serves as a recurring backdrop for the show's comedic depictions of life at Rockefeller Center.
The venue appears in multiple seasons of "Saturday Night Live" itself, with sketches and segments referencing the afterparty tradition. Documentary footage of SNL afterparties at The Rainbow Room has appeared in numerous retrospectives about the show's history, including the "SNL 40th Anniversary Special" (2015). The room has also been featured in "Gossip Girl", "Mad Men" (which used it to evoke 1960s Manhattan glamour), and fashion editorials that leverage its art deco grandeur and skyline views.
Related Venues
Performance Venue
Radio City Music Hall
The legendary Rockefeller Center performance venue, just steps from The Rainbow Room.
Hotel
The Carlyle Hotel
Another legendary NYC venue with a supper club tradition stretching back to the 1930s.
Frequently Asked Questions
About The Rainbow Room
The Rainbow Room opened in 1934 on the 65th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza as an elegant supper club with a revolving dance floor and panoramic views. It was part of John D. Rockefeller Jr.'s vision for Rockefeller Center. After closing for renovation in 2009, it reopened in 2014 under the management of the Cipriani family, preserving its art deco grandeur.
Yes, The Rainbow Room has a deep connection to Saturday Night Live, which broadcasts from Studio 8H in the same building since 1975. The Rainbow Room has traditionally served as the venue for SNL afterparties, where hosts, musical guests, and cast members gather after each live broadcast. This tradition has made it a witness to some of the most memorable moments in late-night television history.
Yes, The Rainbow Room is available for private events including weddings, corporate galas, and celebrations. Managed by the Cipriani family, the venue offers the famous revolving dance floor and additional event spaces. The 65th-floor location provides unmatched views of the Manhattan skyline, accommodating seated events for up to 450 guests.