The Sky-High Supper Club That Became America’s Highest Restaurant in 1934

The Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center, New York

When Prohibition ended in 1933, John D. Rockefeller Jr. reluctantly opened a restaurant on the 65th floor of his new skyscraper, creating America’s highest dining destination.

The Rainbow Room opened on October 3, 1934, with a guest list that read like a who’s who of New York society. Here’s how this Art Deco marvel became the city’s most glamorous nightclub.

The Star-Studded Opening Night Gala

The Rainbow Room launched with a white-tie charity event for the Lenox Hill Neighborhood Association on October 3, 1934. Members of wealthy New York families like the Astors and Whitneys filled the guest list.

Metropolitan Opera singer Arthur Anderson performed classical selections while French entertainer Lucienne Boyer delivered spoken-word performances with piano accompaniment. Boyer’s somewhat risqué act reportedly made Rockefeller uncomfortable.

Hollywood Glamour in the 1930s

By the late 1930s, the Rainbow Room attracted New York socialites and Hollywood stars. Movie icons Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Lawrence Olivier, and Marlene Dietrich became regular visitors.

World War II Closure and Revival

The Rainbow Room closed in December 1942 as America focused on the war effort. At the time, Hugh Robertson, Rockefeller Center’s manager, found himself locked in negotiations with the workers’ union.

Robertson secretly threatened employees that he would close the event space if they kept demanding raises. During its dormant years, the space occasionally hosted private events, including a 1947 furniture design competition launched by Nelson Rockefeller.

The venue reopened to the public in 1950, first as a modest cocktail lounge that closed at 9 p.m. each night.

The Historic 20th Tony Awards

The Rainbow Room hosted the 20th Tony Awards on June 16, 1966. The event marked the first daytime presentation of Broadway’s highest honor, previously held only in the evening.

The ceremony was closed to the public in memory of actress Helen Menken, who died three months earlier. Menken had been an acclaimed Broadway performer and Humphrey Bogart’s first wife.

Winners that year included “Man of La Mancha” for Best Musical and “Marat/Sade” for Best Play.

Return of Live Entertainment in the 1970s

Live performances returned to the Rainbow Room on September 18, 1973, ending a decades-long absence of regular entertainment. Piano duo Arthur Whittemore and Jack Lowe performed three 40-minute sets, with half of each show devoted to audience requests.

The more casual Rainbow Grill briefly closed in January 1975 due to lease issues but reopened under new management the next month. In 1979, the Grill added a new stage as live music experienced a resurgence.

The $20 Million Renovation and Rebirth

The Rockefeller family bought back the entire Rockefeller Center from Columbia University in 1985. They immediately planned to restore the Rainbow Room to its former glory.

David Rockefeller hired restaurateur Joe Baum, developer Arthur Emil, and architect Hugh Hardy to lead a $20 million renovation. The budget eventually grew to $30 million as work expanded.

The project increased the restaurant’s size to 4,500 square feet. When the Rainbow Room reopened in December 1987, every detail from the lighting to the crystal chandeliers aimed to recapture its 1930s elegance.

The Cocktail Revolution Under Dale DeGroff

Bartender Dale DeGroff joined the renovated Rainbow Room in 1987, starting a transformation in American cocktail culture. When artificial mixes dominated bars nationwide, DeGroff returned to fresh ingredients and classic techniques.

He removed the soda gun and bottled mixers, replacing them with fresh-squeezed juices and premium spirits. DeGroff revived forgotten drinks like the Sazerac, Singapore Sling, and Mojito.

His research involving old bartending books, particularly Jerry Thomas’s 1862 guide, inspired a menu that honored pre-Prohibition craftsmanship. DeGroff earned the nickname “King Cocktail” and laid the foundation for today’s craft cocktail movement.

The Madonna Moment That Changed Cocktail Culture

When pop star Madonna was photographed drinking a pink Cosmopolitan at the Rainbow Room in the early 1990s, both the cocktail and venue gained instant fame. The vodka, cranberry, lime, and orange liqueur drink became a nationwide sensation.

Legendary New Year’s Eve Celebrations

The Rainbow Room became the ultimate New Year’s Eve spot during Joe Baum’s management from 1987 to 1999. These parties transformed the entire 65th floor into elaborate themed experiences.

One standout event featured a Federico Fellini theme, with performers portraying characters from the Italian filmmaker’s fantastical movies throughout all four rooms.

Broadway star Tommy Tune, winner of ten Tony Awards, headlined another memorable celebration.

The Cipriani Takeover and Landmark Status

In 1998, the Rockefeller family handed control to the Cipriani family, founders of Harry’s Bar in Venice, Italy. This ended the Joe Baum era.

The Ciprianis made major changes, removing seating areas, replacing fabrics, and adding mirrors. All 250 employees lost their jobs during the transition, breaking long-standing relationships with regular customers.

Public access was reduced to just four or five days monthly.

Visiting The Rainbow Room

You’ll find the Rainbow Room on the 65th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112. As of 2025, the venue operates exclusively for private events and is not open for regular public dining.

Bar SixtyFive, adjacent to the Rainbow Room, welcomes visitors Monday through Friday from 5:00 PM to midnight. Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made through their website.

Bar SixtyFive enforces a business casual dress code. Menu prices start at around $20 for cocktails and $25 for small plates. To access the venue, enter 30 Rock from the plaza and take the designated elevator to the 65th floor.

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