Friars Club in NYC: History & Archive (2024)

Friars Club in New York
Archived website
The Friars Club in New York City was a legendary haven for celebrities, entertainers, and high-net-worth individuals. It was founded in 1904, but as of 2024, they ran into financial problems and have closed. It's not clear if the private club will reopen again.

NOTE: This is an informational page about them, and we have no association with the Friars in any way, shape, or form.

Which celebrities were a part of the Friars Club?

Countless celebrities have been associated with the Friars Club. They include but are not limited to:

Comedians

  • Chris Rock
  • Ben Stiller
  • Whoopi Goldberg
  • Bob Hope
  • Lily Tomlin
  • Jerry Lewis
  • Rich Little
  • David Letterman
  • Howard Stern
  • Joan Rivers
  • Billy Crystal
  • Martin Short
  • Sarah Silverman
  • Phyllis Diller
  • Redd Foxx
  • Bob Newhart
  • Richard Pryor
  • Robin Williams
  • George Burns
  • Jack Benny
  • Don Rickles
  • Bob Saget
  • Buddy Hackett
  • Milton Berle
  • Lucille Ball
  • Norm Crosby
  • Jerry Seinfeld
  • Johnny Carson
  • Will Ferrell
  • Carol Burnett
  • Gilbert Gottfried
  • Bill Maher

Actors

  • Betty White
  • Harvey Keitel
  • John Travolta
  • Audrey Hepburn
  • Kirk Douglas
  • Meryl Streep
  • Cary Grant
  • Bruce Willis
  • Sharon Stone
  • Burt Lancaster
  • Sylvester Stallone
  • Carl Reiner
  • Robert De Niro
  • Martin Scorsese
  • Tom Cruise
  • Sean Penn
  • Lauren Bacall
  • Samuel Jackson
  • Jack Black
  • Elizabeth Taylor
  • Burt Reynolds
  • Gregory Peck

Singers

  • Dean Martin
  • Sammy Davis Jr
  • The Rolling Stones
  • Willie Nelson
  • Liza Minelli
  • Tony Bennett
  • Diana Ross
  • Frank Sinatra
  • Stevie Wonder
  • Ella Fitzgerald
  • Sting
  • Aretha Franklin
  • Barbra Streisand
  • The Bee Gees
  • Barry Manilow
  • Whitney Houston

Photos of the Friars Club

The Friars Club book

the Friars Club Bible
There is an archived book about the Friars Club you can enjoy, and it is considered "the bible" for a roast.

Year published: 2001

Edited by: Nina Colman

Published by: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers

Documentary: Let Me In, I Hear Laughter - A Salute to the Friars Club

a movie about the Friars Club
In 1999, a documentary about the Friars Club was made. You can watch it here for free or purchase a copy on Amazon.

Some of the personalities in the film include Steve Allen, Milton Berle, Red Buttons, Sid Caesar, and Jack Carter. 

Amazon even has old VHS copies if you're feeling nostalgic.
VIDEO: Watch the movie about the Friars Club

In the News

Most recently, the Friars Club was featured in the New York Times and the New York Post.

The Friars Club Film Festival

For a short time, the Friars Club hosted film festivals, and the "who's who" of the entertainment industry showed up. They even have a dedicated YouTube channel for it.

Is the Friars Club still open?

The Friars Club is located at 57 E 55th St, New York, NY 10022. Their operating hours are 9:00 am to 10:00 pm Monday through Friday. At this time, they are temporarily closed while the ownership resolves some financial issues. 
This private club was located in New York City.

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