The Frick Collection
Art museum · Upper East Side
1 E 70th St, New York, NY 10021
Highlights
European paintings & decorative arts in opulent Gilded Age mansion
European paintings & decorative arts in opulent Gilded Age mansion
"I updated our story to report that the Frick Collection plans to open 14 new bars this year as part of its ongoing $160 million renovation. The museum will open its first-ever restaurant on the second floor of its reception hall this fall; a small cafe there will have the only bar accessible during visiting hours, while the other 13 bars will be used for exhibition openings and private events, Heidi Rosenau (who handles communications for the Frick) says. The Frick has been temporarily closed for the renovation and will reopen at 1 E. 70th Street and Fifth Avenue later this year. In the past the museum applied for one-day liquor licenses for special events but sought a permanent license to serve food and alcohol as an amenity most museums offer during public hours; an original proposal for 17 bars was scaled back after neighbors raised concerns about late-night parties, traffic, and noise, and the two parties agreed on January 24 that 14 bars could operate under more than two dozen restrictions." - Luke Fortney
"On the Upper East Side, the museum has been at odds with neighbors over a proposal to open 17 late-night bars while it remains closed for renovations; residents feared it would become an after-hours venue with parties, live music, and dancing. After seven weeks of back-and-forth the two parties reached an agreement that when the Frick reopens this year it will operate 14 bars but under strict rules — including limited windows of service and a ban on happy hours — and the museum has been closed since 2020 as part of $160 million plans that include new galleries, an education center, and infrastructure updates." - Luke Fortney
"The phrase "jewel box" may be overused when referring to exquisite galleries and museums, but there's no better way to describe the Frick Collection, at 70th Street and Fifth Avenue. The early-20th-century neoclassical mansion facing Central Park, designed by Carrère and Hastings (who were also responsible for the main branch of the New York Public Library), was the residence of industrialist Henry Clay Frick before being converted to a museum after his death. Most of the works on display were acquired by Frick and his wife during their lifetimes, and are predominantly paintings by European old masters—Boucher, Holbein, Fragonard, Reynolds, Van Dyck, and others. The museum is arranged, however, much as it would have been during the Fricks' day, with antique furniture sitting in the rooms where the paintings are hung."
"COVID-19 update: Soon to re-open at Frick Madison location. Check out the roster of virtual offerings including drawing classes and art discussions with resident experts. Housed in a classic early 20th-century mansion commissioned by the industrialist Henry Clay Frick, the collection boasts iconic works from the Renaissance to the early 19th-century, including pieces by El Greco, Goya, and Rembrandt. We especially love the absolutely over-the-top rococo room with wall-to-wall frescoes by Honoré Fragonard. COVID-19 disclaimer: We are working hard to keep our listings as up to date as possible (deliveries, outdoor dining, etc.), but given the evolving nature of local COVID-19 restrictions, we recommend double-checking the information in this guide with any business you plan on visiting. Also, please note that we have not vetted any businesses listed within our guides for their compliance with applicable safety regulations. "
"COVID-19 update: Soon to re-open at Frick Madison location. Check out the roster of virtual offerings including drawing classes and art discussions with resident experts. Housed in a classic early 20th-century mansion commissioned by the industrialist Henry Clay Frick, the collection boasts iconic works from the Renaissance to the early 19th-century, including pieces by El Greco, Goya, and Rembrandt. We especially love the absolutely over-the-top rococo room with wall-to-wall frescoes by Honoré Fragonard. COVID-19 disclaimer: We are working hard to keep our listings as up to date as possible (deliveries, outdoor dining, etc.), but given the evolving nature of local COVID-19 restrictions, we recommend double-checking the information in this guide with any business you plan on visiting. Also, please note that we have not vetted any businesses listed within our guides for their compliance with applicable safety regulations. "
