Chuck Bass

Played by Ed Westwick • Seasons 1–6 (All 121 Episodes)

"I'm Chuck Bass — The Bad Boy of the Upper East Side"

Chuck Bass - Gossip Girl Tours NYC filming locations

5 Photos

About Chuck Bass

Chuck Bass is the ultimate anti-hero of Gossip Girl. Wealthy, ruthless, and deeply complicated, Chuck's transformation from spoiled heir to passionate hotel mogul is one of the show's greatest arcs. His acquisition of The Empire Hotel in Season 3 cemented his status as a power player, and his epic love story with Blair Waldorf became the emotional core of the series.

Born as the son of billionaire Bart Bass, Chuck grew up at The Palace Hotel surrounded by wealth but starved of affection. His mother died giving birth to him — a guilt that haunted him throughout the series. After his father's apparent death in Season 2, Chuck transformed from a reckless teenager into a driven businessman, acquiring The Empire Hotel and building his own empire. His locations reflect his dual identity: the corporate power of the hotels and the emotional vulnerability he showed at Central Park's most romantic spots.

Key Filming Scenes

S1E7 – Victor/Victrola

Chuck watches Blair's burlesque dance — the moment their epic love story begins.

Victrola

S3E1 – Reversals of Fortune

Chuck reveals his acquisition of The Empire Hotel, beginning his reign as a hotel mogul.

The Empire Hotel

S2E25 – Valley Girls

Chuck tells Blair the famous 'three words, eight letters' — the most iconic line in the entire series.

Bethesda Terrace

S3E17 – Inglourious Bassterds

Chuck trades Blair for his hotel in the show's most controversial scene.

The Empire Hotel

S4E9 – The Witches of Bushwick

The legendary masquerade ball at The Empire — one of the show's most visually stunning episodes.

The Empire Hotel

S2E13

Bart Bass's funeral — Chuck's emotional breakdown reveals the vulnerable man beneath the bravado.

St. Patrick's Cathedral

S6E10 – Finale

Chuck and Blair's wedding in Central Park — the culmination of the show's greatest love story.

Central Park

S6E9 – The Revengers

The final takedown of Bart Bass at The Empire — Chuck reclaims his legacy.

The Empire Hotel

Chuck Bass's Filming Locations

15 real NYC locations where Chuck's scenes were filmed

Hotel

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The Empire Hotel

Chuck Bass's personal kingdom from Season 3 onward. In Season 3, Episode 3, Chuck purchases The Empire Hotel on the Upper West Side, making it both his home and business headquarters. The Empire Hotel became his base of operations, hosting countless schemes and soirées on its iconic rooftop bar. Located directly across from Lincoln Center, this real boutique hotel saw its popularity skyrocket after being featured on the show. Fun fact: The Empire Hotel was also used as a filming location for Sex and the City 2. The rooftop bar, with its stunning views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline, became one of NYC's most sought-after nightlife destinations thanks to its Gossip Girl fame.

44 W 63rd St

Hotel

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The Palace Hotel (Lotte New York Palace)

Home to the van der Woodsen and Bass families in the early seasons, The Palace Hotel (now the Lotte New York Palace) defined the show's ultra-luxury aesthetic. This is the iconic 'Serena Van Der Woodsen hotel' — the glamorous address where Serena lived with her family while their main residence was being renovated. The hotel's stunning courtyard, opulent lobby, and grand suites perfectly embodied the extravagant lifestyle of Manhattan's elite. One memorable scene features Dan trying to sneak a Christmas tree through the lobby as a romantic gift for Serena. Insider tip: The Lotte New York Palace goes all out with Christmas decorations in December, making it a must-visit during the holidays.

455 Madison Ave

Residential

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Chuck Bass's Suite (The Palace → The Empire)

Chuck Bass's living quarters evolved throughout the series, mirroring his character development. Initially residing at The Palace Hotel with his father Bart, Chuck later moved to The Empire Hotel when he acquired it in Season 3. His suites were always lavishly decorated, reflecting his taste for excess and luxury. The transition from The Palace to The Empire represented Chuck's journey from a spoiled heir to a self-made businessman, and his various suites served as the backdrop for some of the show's most dramatic personal moments.

455 Madison Ave → 44 W 63rd St

Victrola (Burlesque Club) at Fictional (filmed at various NYC locations) - Gossip Girl Tours NYC filming location

Nightlife

S1S2

Victrola (Burlesque Club)

Victrola, the burlesque club owned by Chuck Bass, was one of the most significant fictional venues in Gossip Girl. Though the interior was a set, establishing shots were filmed at various NYC locations. Victrola was where Chuck and Blair's relationship truly began — Blair's impromptu burlesque performance in Season 1 Episode 7 is one of the show's most iconic moments. The club represented Chuck's first serious business venture and his transition from playboy to entrepreneur.

Fictional (filmed at various NYC locations)

Park

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Bethesda Terrace & Fountain

The Angel of the Waters fountain and ornate Bethesda Terrace provided the romantic heart of Gossip Girl. This is where the iconic Serena and Blair reconciliation took place in Season 1, Episode 3 — and fun fact: the bench they sat on in that scene was actually brought in by the production team and doesn't normally exist there! The intricate Minton tile ceiling of the arcade and sweeping views of The Lake made this one of the most visually stunning locations used throughout the series. In the Season 6 finale, Chuck and Blair chose this exact spot for their intimate wedding ceremony, bringing their epic love story full circle. Bethesda Terrace represented where characters could reveal their true feelings, away from the scheming and social climbing of the Upper East Side.

Mid-Park at 72nd St

Park

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Central Park

Manhattan's 843-acre green heart served as the ultimate backdrop for Gossip Girl, appearing in nearly every episode as establishing shots and scene settings. Various locations within the park were used throughout all six seasons, including the Bow Bridge, the Conservatory Garden, the Boathouse, the Great Lawn, and Sheep Meadow. Central Park represented neutral ground where Upper East Siders and Brooklyn outsiders could meet on equal footing, and its changing seasons mirrored the emotional arcs of the characters.

Central Park

Park

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Bow Bridge, Central Park

Bow Bridge, the iconic cast-iron bridge spanning The Lake in Central Park, is one of the most romantic locations in all of New York City and a beloved Gossip Girl filming spot. The bridge's elegant Victorian design and stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and Central Park's lush landscape made it the perfect setting for the show's most intimate and emotionally charged scenes. It has become a must-visit for fans recreating their favorite moments.

Bow Bridge

Location

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The Met Steps

The most iconic Gossip Girl location of all time. The steps of The Metropolitan Museum of Art became the social epicenter of Constance Billard School, where Blair Waldorf and her minions held court during lunch in nearly every episode. The grand staircase became synonymous with Upper East Side prep school culture, and in real life visitors still recreate Blair's signature yogurt-eating pose. The Met Steps represent everything Gossip Girl stands for — power, status, and the ruthless social hierarchy of Manhattan's elite.

1000 5th Ave

Grand Central Terminal at 89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017 - Gossip Girl Tours NYC filming location

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Grand Central Terminal

The majestic Beaux-Arts station served as the arrival and departure point for many dramatic moments throughout all six seasons. Grand Central Terminal's iconic main concourse, with its celestial ceiling mural and grand windows, provided a cinematic backdrop that perfectly captured the grandeur of the Upper East Side world. The famous four-faced clock atop the information booth was featured in numerous pivotal scenes, and the Whispering Gallery became a location for secret exchanges. Grand Central represents transitions — characters arriving, departing, and the constant movement of Manhattan life.

89 E 42nd St

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts at 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023 - Gossip Girl Tours NYC filming location

Landmark

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Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

Lincoln Center, located directly adjacent to The Empire Hotel, appeared in Gossip Girl as the backdrop for cultural events, galas, and the sophisticated social life of Manhattan's elite. The performing arts complex, with its iconic fountain and modernist architecture, represented the cultural refinement that the Upper East Side characters valued. The Metropolitan Opera House, David Koch Theater, and the plaza fountain all featured in various episodes.

10 Lincoln Center Plaza

Waldorf Astoria New York at 301 Park Ave, New York, NY 10022 - Gossip Girl Tours NYC filming location

Hotel

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Waldorf Astoria New York

The legendary Waldorf Astoria, one of the most famous hotels in the world, shared more than just a name with Blair Waldorf. The Art Deco landmark on Park Avenue served as an occasional filming location and was referenced throughout the series. Its grand lobby, with the famous Waldorf clock, and the opulent ballrooms provided settings for some of the show's most glamorous events. The hotel's association with old-money New York society perfectly aligned with the Waldorf family's social standing in the show.

301 Park Ave

The St. Regis New York at 2 E 55th St, New York, NY 10022 - Gossip Girl Tours NYC filming location

Hotel

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The St. Regis New York

The St. Regis New York, a Beaux-Arts landmark on Fifth Avenue, served as a filming location for some of Gossip Girl's most exclusive events. Most notably, the St. Regis was the venue for Blair and Prince Louis's royal wedding reception — after the ceremony at St. James' Church, the celebration continued in the hotel's grand ballrooms. Known for its King Cole Bar and refined elegance, The St. Regis represented the pinnacle of New York luxury and old-world sophistication.

2 E 55th St

The Campbell (Grand Central) at 15 Vanderbilt Ave, New York, NY 10017 - Gossip Girl Tours NYC filming location

Nightlife

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The Campbell (Grand Central)

The Campbell (formerly The Campbell Apartment), a stunning cocktail bar located inside Grand Central Terminal, appeared in Gossip Girl as an upscale meeting spot. The bar's opulent 1920s decor, with its hand-painted ceiling, massive fireplace, and rich wood paneling, provided a dramatic setting for secret meetings and power conversations. Originally the private office of 1920s tycoon John W. Campbell, the space's old-world glamour aligned perfectly with the show's aesthetic.

15 Vanderbilt Ave

Hotel

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The Plaza Hotel

The Plaza Hotel, one of New York's most legendary landmarks, appeared in several memorable Gossip Girl scenes. It is strongly implied that Chuck Bass lives at The Plaza in the early seasons — his father Bart Bass owns the hotel, making it a very fitting home for a billionaire's son. This iconic Beaux-Arts hotel at the southeastern corner of Central Park has been a symbol of wealth and elegance since 1907. In Gossip Girl, The Plaza served as a backdrop for lavish parties, charity galas, and dramatic confrontations among Manhattan's social elite.

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St. Patrick's Cathedral at 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022 - Gossip Girl Tours NYC filming location

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St. Patrick's Cathedral

St. Patrick's Cathedral, the stunning Gothic Revival cathedral on Fifth Avenue, appeared in Gossip Girl for some of the show's most solemn and dramatic moments. The cathedral's breathtaking interior, with its ribbed vaults, rose window, and marble altars, provided an appropriately grand setting for weddings, funerals, and moments of spiritual reflection. As one of Manhattan's most recognizable landmarks, St. Patrick's added gravitas and emotional weight to the scenes filmed there.

5th Ave

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Walk Where Chuck Walked

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Chuck Bass

About Chuck Bass

Key Filming Scenes

Chuck Bass's Filming Locations

The Empire Hotel

The Palace Hotel (Lotte New York Palace)

Chuck Bass's Suite (The Palace → The Empire)

Victrola (Burlesque Club)

Bethesda Terrace & Fountain

Central Park

Bow Bridge, Central Park

The Met Steps

Grand Central Terminal

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

Waldorf Astoria New York

The St. Regis New York

The Campbell (Grand Central)

The Plaza Hotel

St. Patrick's Cathedral

Explore Other Characters

Blair Waldorf

Serena van der Woodsen

Dan Humphrey

Nate Archibald

Jenny Humphrey

Walk Where Chuck Walked

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