“How I Met Your Mother” (HIMYM) captivated audiences for nine seasons with its clever storytelling, endearing characters, and numerous running gags. Set primarily in New York City, the show painted a vivid picture of life in the bustling metropolis, blending real locations with fictional creations to bring the characters’ world to life.
From the gang’s favorite hangout spot to the workplaces and homes of Ted, Robin, Barney, Marshall, and Lily, HIMYM’s locations became as iconic as the characters themselves. This article will explore the most significant locations featured in the show, delving into their real-world counterparts (where applicable) and the roles they played in shaping the series’ narrative and atmosphere.
“Whenever I’m sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead.”
Barney Stinson
character from HIMYM
Locations How I Met Your Mother – MacLaren’s Pub: the heart of HIMYM
At the center of the HIMYM universe lies MacLaren’s Pub, the gang’s go-to gathering spot for drinks, conversations, and countless legendary evenings. While MacLaren’s itself is a fictional location, it was inspired by real New York City establishments. The exterior shots of MacLaren’s were filmed at McGee’s Pub, located at 240 West 55th Street in Midtown Manhattan. The show’s creators, Carter Bays and Craig Thomas, frequented McGee’s during their time writing for “The Late Show with David Letterman,” and drew inspiration from its warm, inviting atmosphere.
The interior of MacLaren’s, however, was a set built on a soundstage in Los Angeles, where most of the show was filmed. This allowed for greater control over the space and ensured consistency throughout the series. The set designers paid meticulous attention to detail, creating a cozy Irish pub atmosphere with dark wood furnishings, green leather booths, and subtle lighting. The famous booth where the gang always sat became a character, witnessing countless pivotal moments in the characters’ lives.
MacLaren’s served as more than just a backdrop; it was a constant in the characters’ ever-changing lives. It was where Ted first spotted Robin, where Barney honed his legendary pickup techniques, and where the group celebrated milestones and comforted each other through difficult times. The pub’s significance to the show cannot be overstated, as it provided a familiar anchor point for both the characters and the audience.
The Apartment: 4C at 150 West 85th Street – How I Met Your Mother
Ted and Marshall’s apartment, later shared by Ted and Robin, and eventually becoming “the fort” for Ted, Marshall, and Lily, was another crucial location in HIMYM. The show places the apartment at 150 West 85th Street, Apartment 4C, on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. While the exterior shots of the building are of a real location in New York City, the interiors were, like MacLaren’s, filmed on a soundstage in Los Angeles.
The apartment’s layout and decor evolved throughout the series, reflecting the characters’ changing lives and relationships. From the worn-out futon and college posters of Ted and Marshall’s early days to the more sophisticated furnishings as the characters matured, the apartment was a visual representation of their growth. Notable features included the red couch, the swords mounted on the wall (a nod to Ted’s love for Renaissance fairs), and the robot cookie jar in the kitchen. One of the most memorable aspects of the apartment was its rooftop, which served as the setting for numerous significant moments. From heartfelt conversations to impromptu parties, the rooftop provided a quiet escape from the busy city below and offered stunning views of the Manhattan skyline (courtesy of green screen technology).The apartment’s location on the Upper West Side was a deliberate choice by the show’s creators. This neighborhood is known for its mix of young professionals and families, beautiful architecture, and proximity to Central Park – all elements that aligned well with the characters’ lifestyles and aspirations.
Locations How I Met Your Mother – The offices: GNB, WWN, and beyond
The professional lives of HIMYM’s characters played a significant role in the series, and their workplaces became important locations. Barney and Marshall’s employer, Goliath National Bank (GNB), was a fictional megacorporation that served as a backdrop for many storylines. While GNB doesn’t exist in real life, its towering skyscraper was portrayed using exterior shots of the MetLife Building at 200 Park Avenue. Robin’s career as a journalist took her to several news networks throughout the series.
Her time at Metro News 1 was particularly memorable, with the fictional station’s low-budget productions providing comic relief. Later, when Robin achieved her dream of working for World Wide News (WWN), the show used exterior shots of the McGraw-Hill Building at 1221 Avenue of the Americas to represent the network’s headquarters. Ted’s architectural career led him to various locations, from his time teaching at Columbia University (using real footage of the iconic campus) to his work designing the GNB headquarters. The fictional headquarters project allowed the show to explore Ted’s professional growth and challenges, while also providing a storyline that intersected with Barney and Marshall’s work lives. Lily’s job as a kindergarten teacher was primarily represented through stories rather than on-screen locations. However, her brief stint at an art gallery in the fictional neighborhood of “New Haven, Connecticut” (actually filmed in Los Angeles) provided a change of scenery and a pivotal moment in her character development.
The wedding venues: from Long Island to Farhampton
Weddings played a crucial role in HIMYM’s narrative, with several significant ceremonies taking place throughout the series. The most notable of these was Barney and Robin’s wedding, which served as the framing device for the entire final season. The fictional Farhampton Inn, where the wedding took place, was portrayed using the Mansions at Nayatt Point in Barrington, Rhode Island. This stunning waterfront property provided the perfect backdrop for the climactic event. Other memorable wedding venues included Victoria’s nuptials at the Meadow Club in Southampton, New York (though the actual filming took place in Los Angeles), and Punchy’s wedding in Cleveland, which was also filmed on a soundstage. These venues allowed the show to explore different aspects of the characters’ lives and relationships while providing visually appealing settings for key emotional moments.
Locations How I Met Your Mother – New York City landmarks: bringing authenticity to HIMYM
While many of HIMYM’s interior scenes were filmed in Los Angeles, the show made extensive use of New York City landmarks to maintain its Big Apple authenticity. Central Park featured prominently, with characters often shown jogging, picnicking, or having important conversations amidst its greenery. The iconic Bow Bridge in Central Park served as the backdrop for several romantic moments throughout the series. The Empire State Building played a significant role in the show’s mythology, particularly in relation to Ted’s romantic gestures. The observation deck was the setting for Ted’s ill-fated attempt to win back Robin in the episode “The Leap.” Similarly, the Natural History Museum, where Ted worked on an architectural project, provided a unique setting for several episodes, and allowed the show to showcase one of New York’s most beloved institutions. Other notable New York locations featured in the show included Times Square, where the characters would occasionally find themselves amidst the bright lights and bustling crowds, and various subway stations that served as backdrops for chance encounters and rushed conversations.
The bars and restaurants: beyond MacLaren’s – How I Met Your Mother
While MacLaren’s was the gang’s primary hangout, HIMYM featured numerous other bars and restaurants that added depth and variety to the show’s New York City setting. The Okay Awesome nightclub, featured in the episode of the same name, was based on several real New York clubs and captured the city’s vibrant nightlife scene. The Lusty Leopard, the strip club frequently mentioned (and occasionally visited) by Barney, was a fictional location that nonetheless felt authentic to New York’s seedier side. Similarly, the laser tag arena that Barney so loved was a fabricated location that added to his eccentric character. Real New York restaurants were also name-dropped and occasionally featured, such as Rolf’s German Restaurant, known for its over-the-top Christmas decorations, which appeared in the background of a scene. The gang’s occasional visits to diners, hot dog stands, and food carts also helped to flesh out the show’s portrayal of everyday life in New York City.
Conclusion about locations from How I Met Your Mother
“How I Met Your Mother” succeeded in creating a version of New York City that felt both authentic and idealized. By blending real locations with carefully crafted sets and fictional establishments, the show painted a picture of the city that resonated with viewers and became an integral part of the characters’ stories. The locations in HIMYM did more than provide a backdrop; they became characters in their own right, evolving alongside Ted, Robin, Barney, Marshall, and Lily. From the comfort of MacLaren’s to the aspirational symbolism of the Empire State Building, each location added depth to the narrative and helped to ground the often outrageous antics of the characters in a world that felt real and relatable.
While many of the interior scenes were filmed far from New York, the show’s use of exterior shots, recognizable landmarks, and attention to detail in set design created a convincing portrayal of life in the Big Apple. This careful balance of real and fictional elements allowed HIMYM to capture the essence of New York City – its energy, its diversity, and its ability to be the setting for countless personal stories and legendary evenings.
For fans of the show, these locations have become pilgrim sites, with many visiting McGee’s Pub or walking past 150 West 85th Street to feel a connection to their beloved characters. In this way, HIMYM’s New York continues to live on, blurring the lines between fiction and reality, and cementing its place in the pantheon of great TV shows that have captured the spirit of the city that never sleeps.
