Where To Find The Filming Locations Of Orange Is The New Black

By Evil Jenji

Are you a die-hard Orange Is The New Black fan? Do you want to dive into the world of Piper, Alex, and the gang? Well, I have a special treat for you! Whether you’re ready to hit the road or simply curious about where the show was filmed, I’ve got you covered. Get ready for an OITNB fan tour of New York! And don’t worry if you can’t travel just yet; I’ll show you all the shooting locations right here!

First Stop: Where was Litchfield?

The fictional Litchfield Penitentiary is set in a real town in upstate New York. Although there isn’t a federal penitentiary there, you can find an abandoned area known as the Rockland Psychiatric Center. Spanning over 2.4 square kilometers, this partially abandoned center is rumored to be haunted. It encompasses both a minimum-security and a maximum-security prison. In the earlier seasons, Litchfield was under the control of the Federal Department of Corrections until a private corporation, MCC, stepped in to keep it running. Located near Utica, the minimum-security section of the prison housed about 250 inmates before expanding in Season Four. Beyond the grounds lies a serene lake.

In Season Six, the show’s production could no longer use the Rockland Psychiatric Center, directly impacting the storyline. As a result, the characters were transferred to a maximum-security prison.

It’s important to remember that Orange Is The New Black is a TV show, so most of the interior scenes are filmed on a soundstage. The sets are located at Kaufman Astoria Studios in Queens, New York. According to production designer Michael Shaw, the prison sets are meticulously designed to resemble real prisons. Even Piper Kerman, whose true story inspired the show, was a little freaked out by their authenticity.

Where did Alex first meet Piper?

MORE ABOUT ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK

They met at The Sparrow Tavern, a real-life bar located in Astoria, Queens. This lovely neighborhood is not only close to Manhattan but also home to a variety of restaurants and shops. The Sparrow Tavern is known for its mouthwatering mac & cheese and is where the iconic meeting between Piper and Alex took place. Another notable location nearby is Dmitri’s, which is actually Rosario’s Deli in real life. This is where Red’s delicatessen comes to life on screen. And let’s not forget the scene where Red is running with the silicone trucks—it was filmed at Astoria Park.

Rosario’s Deli on Ditmars in Astoria was transformed into Dmitri’s Russian Market, owned by Red and her husband Dmitri. This location also serves as the backdrop for many intense meetings with mob bosses. Initially, Red serves them coffee, but she later establishes herself as a key member of the ring.

If we head to Brooklyn, we’ll find the heart of the series. Piper and Larry reside in Park Slope, a vibrant neighborhood near Prospect Park. This charming area is known for its numerous restaurants, shops, and a strong sense of community. It’s a delightful neighborhood, often bustling with families, kids, and LGBTQ+ couples. Just a stone’s throw away is Red Hook, another cool neighborhood where Fischer used to work as a cashier at the famous Fairway market. In one episode, she recalls how Piper would always forget her reusable bags there.

Park Slope – Brooklyn (NYC)

Lastly, in Manhattan, we have a couple of noteworthy locations. Whole Foods makes a few appearances in the show, like when Piper and Larry have conversations over the phone, describing their grocery purchases. Murray’s Bagels, a beloved spot, is featured in Season Two when Larry and Polly meet up.

These are just some of the incredible filming locations of Orange Is The New Black. I hope you enjoyed this virtual tour as much as I did! Maybe one day, we’ll have the opportunity to visit them all in person. It would be like stepping inside the show itself! If you have any photos from these locations, I would love to see them. Feel free to send them my way, and I’ll happily feature them here. Until then, happy binge-watching!