In “Anger Management”, Dave (Adam Sandler) aims to keep his cool. His efforts led to a wild self-discovery journey and a bunch of hilarious outbursts. While the movie itself isn’t exactly a travelogue, it does take the viewer to some pretty interesting spots. Mostly in NYC and, surprisingly, California. Another surprise is that the majority of Anger Management filming locations are quite well-known and easily recognizable, even for non-locals.
NYC
The majority of the action takes place and is filmed in NYC, so the Big Apple is the primary setting. However, even though the plot doesn’t unfold anywhere on the West Coast, a lot of scenes were filmed in California, including studio shots that were set up at Warner Bros Studio.
Yankee Stadium, Bronx
A key scene in “Anger Management” where Dave proposes to his fiancée Linda (Marissa Tomei) and Dr Buddy uses a chance to advertise his services is set in the iconic Yankee Stadium, an emblem of American sports culture. During a New York Yankees baseball game, Dave runs on the field to confess his love. The scene is strengthened by a cameo by then–Mayor Rudy Giuliani among the fans.
The stadium, established in 1923 and rebuilt in 2009, offers more than just baseball. The experience of watching a game, hot dog and beer in hand, is quintessentially American.
New York County Supreme Court, Financial District, Manhattan
Dave gets to return to this building again and again, each time with a new charge. So the viewer can enjoy the imposing architecture of the New York County Supreme Court several times.
While the exterior shot on Centre Street is authentic, the courtroom interior was actually filmed elsewhere (in Los Angeles). In fact, production used Los Angeles City Hall’s interiors (frequently a stand-in for courthouses) for the courtroom scenes where Dave is sentenced
This Beaux-Arts building was constructed in 1927 in the NYC’s financial hub and became a symbol of law and order. It’s the courthouse iconic to the Law & Order franchise – its grand exterior even features in the show’s opening montage. Classic films and hit dramas have filmed here as well: Miracle on 34th Street (1947) used it for Kris Kringle’s hearing, Goodfellas (1990) showed Henry Hill in court, The Godfather (1972) briefly featured its steps, and The Devil’s Advocate (1997) shot a dramatic trial scene at the courthouse
It’s also a short walk to other downtown sights: City Hall Park, the Brooklyn Bridge approach, and Chinatown are all nearby. Even without a case to argue, it’s inspiring to gaze up at the Corinthian columns and feel the cinematic history made here.
Queensboro Bridge
Probably one of the funniest scenes in the movie is when Dave gets too agitated on his commute to work due to being late. Dr. Buddy forces him to stop, blocking everyone else and singing “I Feel Pretty” from the West Side Story.
Queensboro is a cantilever bridge, designed by architect Henry Hornbostel and completed in 1909. Connecting Midtown Manhattan to Long Island City, Queens, it offers a picturesque route over the East River. You don’t need to sing there like they do in the movie, but taking a ride and enjoying the views is worthwhile.
You can walk or bike the outer roadway for awesome skyline views. Standing on the pedestrian path, you’ll see the East River below, Roosevelt Island directly underneath, and Midtown’s towers rising ahead.
The city seen from the Queensboro Bridge is always the city seen for the first time
Fitzgerald
The adjacent Roosevelt Island Tramway (which runs parallel to the bridge) is itself a fun attraction – an aerial cable car that you might recall from Spider-Man. Riding the tram or crossing the bridge at sunset is unforgettable as the city lights blink on. The bridge is also free for all – no tolls – making it a budget-friendly way to enjoy a stunning panorama.
St. Bartholomew’s Church, Park Avenue
The scene before the first court-ordered anger management opens with an aerial view of St. Bartholomew’s Church (Manhattan, NYC). This landmark church is often called “St. Bart’s”.
It featured prominently in Arthur (1981), the Dudley Moore comedy – the climactic wedding-that-wasn’t was filmed right here at St. Bart’s (The 2011 remake of Arthur also used the church for its big wedding scene.) In the Olsen twins movie It Takes Two (1995), the church appears in a memorable wedding sequence as well. More recently, Angelina Jolie sprinted through St. Bart’s in the spy thriller Salt (2010), which filmed an action scene in the church’s lobby.
Constructed in 1918 by Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, the church represents 20th-century ecclesiastical design. It is not only a place of worship but also a serene haven amidst the hustle of Midtown Manhattan.
St. Bart’s welcomes sightseers and solace-seekers alike. Stepping inside, you’ll find a soaring, dimly-lit interior decorated with gilded mosaics and a magnificent pipe organ, a tranquil escape from Midtown’s rush.
The church often hosts free concerts and organ recitals that let you appreciate its acoustics. In warm weather, the stone terrace along Park Avenue becomes an outdoor cafe (Inside Park at St. Bart’s), where you can sip coffee or a cocktail in the ambiance of this century-old house of worship.
St. Bartholomew’s sits in the heart of Midtown’s most elegant corridor. Just one block west is the Waldorf Astoria hotel (currently under renovation), and two blocks south, you’ll find St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Fifth Avenue – making this corner of Manhattan a heaven for cathedral enthusiasts. Stroll a couple of blocks east to see the sleek Seagram Building and glassy Lever House,
ESPN Zone, Times Square
Dave and Linda get to catch a ‘Yankee’ game. Unfortunately, this sports-themed entertainment center has been closed for a while. ESPN Zone was located in Times Square. The area continues to be a hub for entertainment venues, so it can easily be replaced to feel the vibe.
During its heyday in the 2000s, the Times Square ESPN Zone was more of a pop-culture landmark than a filming location, yet it still found its way onto screens as a backdrop to the bright lights of Times Square. This 42,000-square-foot sports bar and arcade – emblazoned with a giant ESPN Zone logo – is visible in numerous establishing shots of Times Square in the early 2000s.
Fulton Ferry Pier, near the Brooklyn Bridge
The emotional scene of Dave and Linda breaking up for a while takes place at Fulton Ferry Pier. The pier is a scenic spot to take a postcard-perfect photo of New York City.
The Fulton Ferry Landing is a historic pier under the Brooklyn Bridge, which offers such cinematic views that it often appears in montages and backgrounds. Its boardwalk gives an unobstructed panorama of the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge’s stone arches.
Location Details
Brooklyn Bridge Park has landscaped the area beautifully; there are benches and a wooden boardwalk perfect for strolling or setting up a tripod for photos. It’s especially popular at sunset, when the skyscrapers turn gold and the Brooklyn Bridge’s lights begin to twinkle.
The experience is undeniably romantic (no surprise it’s a frequent engagement photo location!). You can also grab a lobster roll or ice cream from the seasonal eateries by the pier and enjoy a picnic with a view.
A few steps away is Jane’s Carousel, a vintage carousel in a glass pavilion that adds a touch of whimsy to the scene. The landing is an actual ferry stop, too (NYC Ferry boats dock here), so you can even arrive by water, just as 19th-century New Yorkers did. In the warmer months, the Bargemusic barge moored at the pier hosts classical concerts, letting you listen to Vivaldi while the city skyline shimmers behind the performers.
Gapstow Bridge, Central Park
The celebration of therapy course completion happens in Central Park, not far from Gapstow Bridge. This simple yet charming stone bridge, constructed in 1896, offers a picturesque escape from the urban frenzy. Gapstow Bridge is a great spot for quiet reflection. It is a popular location for photographers seeking to capture the tranquil beauty of Central Park.
Central Park’s Gapstow Bridge is a little stone arch with a big resume in Hollywood. Perhaps its most famous appearance is in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) – this is the bridge where Kevin McCallister meets the Pigeon Lady for the first time, an encounter filmed at night with the Plaza Hotel visible in the background. That heartwarming scene turned Gapstow into a pilgrimage spot for fans of the film. The bridge has also shown up in Sex and the City: in the episode “Let There Be Light,” Carrie and Aleksandr sit by a pond with Gapstow Bridge behind them, sharing chocolates in a quintessential NYC romantic moment
Boston?
Here’s a fun fact: the movie teases us with this whole Boston trip, right? You’ve got Jack Nicholson’s character, Dr. Buddy, dragging Dave to Beantown for some sort of breakthrough. Plot twist – they didn’t actually film in Boston. But a lot of notable scenes were filmed in California. Movie magic 🧚♀️
Columbia University’s Lerner Hall, Manhattan
Interestingly, a Boston hospital scene in the film was actually shot in New York. Columbia University’s Lerner Hall (on campus in Manhattan) was used as a stand-in for a hospital in Boston magazine.columbia.edu. In the story, Dave believes Linda has taken a job trip to Boston (prompting a frantic chase); the shots depicting the “Boston Medical Center” are really the modern glass exterior of Lerner Hall at Columbia
California
Imperial Western Brewing Co., North Alameda Street
A pivotal location, where Dave Buznik goes on a fake date with 2 girls to make his girlfriend jealous, is Imperial Western Brewing Co. This brewery was set within the historic Union Station in Los Angeles. Known for its craft beers and lively atmosphere, it used to capture the essence of LA’s vibrant food and drink scene.
The Union Station opened in 1939, designed by architects Parkinson & Parkinson. The Harvey House used to be its crown jewel: a lavish 350-seat dining hall where rail travelers dined under a Spanish Colonial–Decco fusion design.
For decades, it served everyone from GIs during WWII to celebrities passing through LA. But after the passenger rail decline, the restaurant closed in 1967, and it remained this way for 55 years.
In 2018, Imperial Western Beer Co. opened its doors again, finally giving the public access to this architectural gem. The restoration was true to the original, but then COVID broke out, and the venue was shut down again, this time probably forever.
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, San Marino
The ‘Buddhist lair’ where Dave meets his childhood nemesis is set at The Huntington Library. Far more than a mere repository of books, The Huntington is a cultural oasis. The location spans art, literature, and botanical beauty.
Founded in 1919 by Henry E. Huntington, it houses extensive collections of European and American art, rare manuscripts, and thematic gardens spread across 120 acres. The Chinese Garden boasts intricate designs and serene water features. The Desert Garden is home to one of the world’s largest collections of cacti and succulents, a romantic Rose Garden, a shady Australian Forest, and a jungle garden.
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There’s also an entire wing of American art (with paintings of the Wild West and early Americana) and rotating special exhibitions. The Library exhibition hall, meanwhile, displays historic manuscripts and books, from a vellum
The Warehouse Restaurant, Marina Del Rey
The venue where Dr. Buddy challenges Dave out of his comfort zone is The Warehouse Restaurant. Established in 1969, the restaurant is a nod to LA’s maritime heritage. It is located right on the waterfront in Marina Del Rey, showcasing a nautical-themed decor and panoramic views of the harbor. The restaurant is a place where the ocean breeze and fresh seafood create a relaxed dining experience.
Location Details
The Warehouse Restaurant is a storied establishment that has been serving patrons since its opening in 1969. Founded by award-winning cinematographer Burt Hixson, the restaurant was designed to evoke the ambiance of an old shipping warehouse, complete with authentic nautical artifacts. Hixson sourced materials such as real wharf posts, old wine and whiskey barrels, shipping crates, nautical rigging, fishing nets, and weathered lumber from abandoned shipyards in San Pedro to construct the building’s framework and interior decor.
Hollywood United Methodist Church, Los Angeles
The group therapy scenes, specifically those set after the initial meeting at St. Bart’s, appear to have been filmed at the Hollywood United Methodist Church in Hollywood. This historic church, often used in film productions, likely provided the interior setting for the anger management sessions, including the scene where Buddy introduces Dave to the quirky support group (featuring Luis Guzmán, John Turturro, and others). By using the church’s interior, the filmmakers were able to convincingly recreate a New York–style group therapy environment while shooting in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles City Hall
The production utilized Los Angeles City Hall (specifically its ornate council chamber or similar interior) to film Dave’s court hearing scenes. The grand chamber in LA City Hall frequently doubles as a courtroom on film, and here it stands in for the New York courtroom where Dave’s fate is decided. This is where we see Dave in front of the judge and Dr. Buddy Rydell lobbying the court to put Dave in his program. While the exterior was NYC’s 60 Centre Street, inside it was City Hall in L.A., according to location sources – a seamless geographical cheat.
Map of Anger Management Filming Locations
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