We’re a culture obsessed with documenting our whereabouts online, but what happens when we aren’t permitted to do so?
The most exclusive of institutions become all the more taboo.
As a result of this, only Manhattan’s elite are granted the secret passcode to our city’s most coveted spaces and places.
Some may argue the photography ban maintains the integrity of these places, combatting the dramatic rise of “Instagram-bait” experiences.
See Also: Phone Eats First: The Most Instagram-Worthy Dishes In NYC
Others believe the ban is a business tactic used to build hype and speculation—and it most definitely has.
In an effort to democratize these institutions, we’re here to give you a behind-the-scenes look at New York's hottest “no photography” spots.
Because let’s face it, you’re dying to know what’s happening behind that unmarked door.
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9 Orchard St, Manhattan/Website
If you’re wondering where all the cool kids are having drinks on a Saturday night, the answer is most definitely Nine Orchard. Whether you’re an esteemed hotel guest or trying out one of Ignacio Mattos’ famed restaurants, a night at Nine Orchard is reserved for the rich and famous. And what better way to preserve the sanctity of the space than with a strict photography ban? Besides, you know it must be cool when Givenchy has its star-studded NYFW soirée on the roof. Does it get any more elite than that?
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340 Bleecker St, Manhattan/Website
While Saint Theo’s technically has a no-photography policy, everybody and their mother comes here to take pictures of the adult mac and cheese. How is it that a “no photograph” restaurant became one of the biggest social media phenomenons of 2022? Definitely ironic, but you get the point. And while the insta-famous pasta dish is delicious, we come here for the retro-style decor, extra dirty gin martinis, and most importantly, the amazing people-watching.
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29-35 9th Ave, Manhattan/Website
Designed for young creatives in the media and the arts, Soho House is more for relevant socialities and influencers, rather than stuffy old men in suits and ties. With sweeping rooftop views of Chelsea, and its play on a spicy margarita, The Picante, The Soho House is the place to see and be seen (with no pictures allowed). With a $2,400 admissions fee and a waiting list longer than Rao’s, it makes sense that this trendy social club has a strict photography ban.
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170 Broadway, Manhattan/Website
Located in the Johnston Building, which dates back to 1903, The Ned NoMad is built upon the city’s heritage “flawless style, grand gestures, and insatiable hunger for the absolute best.” Setting The Ned apart from other premier establishments, members have a broad range of spaces to relax, connect, work, and indulge—all without the potential threat of being photographed. Sarcasm very much intended. The Ned caters to all the needs of fast-paced life in the city, yet still feels like an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. And what better way to disconnect than disconnecting from our phones?
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0 Bond St, Manhattan/Website
The name Zero Bond is ironic because you need every bond in the world to get in here. Freshly opened in 2020, this sleek, private club is designed for creatives, pro athletes, and relevant figures in the entertainment world. The hefty $5,000 admissions fee is worth it for the delicious omakase bar. A members-only hotspot with sushi? Sign. Us. Up. Warning: You will get yelled at (and sometimes asked to leave) if you take photographs in certain rooms, so be respectful of the policy!
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10 Columbus Circle, Manhattan/Website
While Per Se doesn’t have a strict photograph ban, there is an unspoken code of conduct regarding food photography: you just don’t do it. This goes without being said, but flash photography is a big no-no. Chef Keller’s critically-acclaimed restaurant is one of the most coveted in the world, so they want to protect the sacredness of the experience. The idea of “doing it for the gram” is a millennial concept definitely not encouraged in establishments like Per Se.
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155 W 51st St, Manhattan/Website
Eric Ripert’s elite French restaurant is not only city-renowned, but world-renowned. Synonymous with all things luxury, the crowd at Le Bernardin is exactly what you would expect: upper-echelon. Similar to Per Se, Le Bernardin does not encourage food photography. While you won’t get kicked out for snapping a quick pic, diners are intended to savor the multi-sensory experience in real-time. A meal at Le Bernardin is so momentous on its own, you won’t even need photographic evidence to remember the moment.
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8 Extra Pl, Manhattan/Website
With very limited seating, Momofuku Ko offers an incredibly intimate experience you will never forget. And if you’re paying $280 for a decadent 10-course meal, you probably don’t want it to be spoiled by your neighbors taking boomerangs of every single thing they ate. Besides, that’s so 2016. Just like many of the restaurants on this list, there is a mutual understanding that food photography should be limited. We promise this meal will live rent-free in your mind for years to come.
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222 Bogart St, Brooklyn/Website
Very ironically, this incredibly instagrammable restaurant is very anti-photography. And they aren’t afraid to speak up about it. This warehouse-inspired Brooklyn hotspot has been very vocal about its strict no-photography ban, especially when it comes to photographing the setting. Carthage Must Be Destroyed is known for its artistic pink decor, but they want diners to appreciate it with their eyes, not their phones.
In a world addicted to the “phone eats first” phenomenon, maybe these no-photography hotspots are our saviors.
Photography by: Getty Images
