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The Rainbow Room is a private event space on the 65th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza at Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Run by Tishman Speyer, it is among the highest venues in New York City. The Rainbow Room was designed by architect Wallace K. Harrison and interior designer Elena Bachman Schmidt. Opened in 1934, it was a focal point for the city's elite, as well as one of the United States' highest restaurants above ground. The restaurant's interior is designated as a New York City landmark.

Key Information

After 30 Rockefeller Plaza opened in 1933, there were plans to use the space above the 64th floor as a public "amusement center"; this became the Rainbow Room. The restaurant closed in 1942 due to World War II and reopened in 1950. It received renovations in 1965 and 1985–1987, both of which sought to restore its original 1930s decor. Suffering from a decline in business after the 2008 financial crisis, the Rainbow Room closed in 2009. The restaurant reopened in 2014, following a renovation, serving classic and contemporary American cuisine. In 2017, the American Institute of Architects gave the Rainbow Room an award for outstanding interior architecture. The restaurant closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and reopened for private events in 2021.

The Rainbow Room occupies the eastern part of 30 Rockefeller Plaza's 65th floor; the central part includes a private dining room and ancillary spaces such as restrooms, while the western part houses Bar SixtyFive and an outdoor terrace. The restaurant itself consists of a series of terraced spaces with high windows. The center of the room has a revolving circular dance floor with several concentric rings above it. When the Rainbow Room operated as a public restaurant, it served Modern American cuisine. The restaurant's dishes were expensive, a legacy from when it operated as a lunch club.

History

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Development

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The Rainbow Room neon sign at 30 Rockefeller Plaza

During the 1920s, John D. Rockefeller Jr. had conceived the site of the current Rockefeller Center as a location for the Metropolitan Opera,[1] but these plans were shelved[2] and the plans eventually evolved into a mass media complex, leading to the construction of Rockefeller Center.[3] The complex's flagship RCA Building (now 30 Rockefeller Plaza) opened in May 1933.[4]

Planning and creation

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Shortly after the RCA Building's opening, there were plans to use the space above the 64th floor as a public "amusement center". That section of the building had several terraces, which could be used to construct a dance floor, observatory, restaurant, and landscaped terrace gardens.[5] Frank W. Darling quit his job as head of Rye's Playland[6] in order to direct the programming for the proposed amusement space.[5]

Many of New York City's buildings in the 1930s had restaurants or exclusive clubhouses on the top floors of their buildings. This stemmed from a tradition that started in the late 19th century, after the introduction of elevators.[7][8] The specific idea for a restaurant atop the RCA Building may have been inspired by the Cloud Club, a lunch club in the Chrysler Building.[9] On the 65th story of the RCA Building, the builders constructed a two-story space intended for a dining room with a high ceiling.[10] The plans called for two restaurants on the 65th Floor. The Rainbow Grill, a small casual-style eatery, would occupy the western portion of the floor, while a larger restaurant for dancing and entertainment, comprising the future Rainbow Room, would be located in a larger space on the eastern part of the floor. There would also be private dining compartments on the floor below. The Rockefeller Center Luncheon Club, composed mostly of Rockefeller Center tenants, would eat lunch at the Rainbow Room from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.[11] More established restaurateurs believed that the juxtaposition of the two eateries was an unwise business decision, but Rockefeller ignored them.[12]

To transport visitors to the top floors, Westinghouse installed eight express elevators in the RCA Building. They moved at an average speed of 1,200 feet per minute (370 m/min) and made up 13% of the building's entire construction cost.[13] One elevator reached a top speed of 1,400 feet per minute (430 m/min) and was dubbed "the fastest passenger elevator ride on record".[14] These elevators cost about $17,000 a year to maintain by 1942.[15] Rockefeller Center opened an observation deck atop the RCA Building's 67th, 69th, and 70th floors, above the future Rainbow Room, in July 1933.[16] The only entrance to the observatory cut across the 65th floor, where the Rainbow Room would soon be located.[17] The Rainbow Room was used as enticement for visitors to the observation deck, who were told that "if you behave and do your jobs right [...] when you die you'll go way up to the Rainbow Room."[18]

Naming

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The director of the proposed restaurant did not want to "sound like an ordinary Eighth Avenue food joint", and he wanted to avoid using the word "restaurant" itself. For him, the optimal name would reflect the RCA Building's height and the eatery's exclusivity. At first, the restaurant was to be known as the "Stratosphere Room", whose name evoked the stratosphere, the second layer of atmosphere above the earth.[9] In August 1934, the Stratosphere Room became the "Rainbow Room", which drew its name from a model of organ that changed colors based on the tone of the music.[10] The indirect lighting of the Rainbow Room did just that.[19] The lights originally accompanied the sounds of a Wurlitzer organ, but the organ was assailed for its "funereal" quality, and it was seldom used from 1935 to its removal in 1986.[9]

Initial operation

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Rockefeller Center Inc. hired lawyer Francis Christy to be the Rainbow Room's owner in name only. This was because each nightclub owner had to be fingerprinted in order to comply with the state law at the time, and the true owner of Rainbow Room did not want his fingerprints on record. Because Christy had verified himself to the state as the owner of Rainbow Room, it was legal for the restaurant to operate.[20] The Rainbow Room opened to the public on October 3, 1934,[21] at a 300-guest party sponsored by the Lenox Hill Neighborhood Association.[22][23] The opening celebrations were attended by a multitude of high-society individuals[23] with "a dazzle of surnames that ran from Astors and Auchinclosses to Warburgs and Whitneys."[18]

The Rainbow Room was allowed to serve alcoholic drinks because the United States Constitution's 21st Amendment had repealed the United States' prohibition on alcoholic beverages in 1933.[20] Rockefeller was not a drinker himself:[21] on opening night, a critic for the New York Daily News had written, "throughout his life, whenever he has been asked 'Wot'll it be?', [Rockefeller] has always replied, 'milk'."[20] However, Rockefeller reluctantly agreed to operate the Rainbow Room, since no one else would take the risk of operating the establishment. He told Arthur Woods, a close associate and the chairman of Rockefeller Center Inc, that he was not "sufficiently familiar with the usual method of dispensing alcoholic beverages in the average high grade club."[24] Rockefeller was reportedly discomfited by the performance of Lucienne Boyer, a French diseuse (storyteller) and singer, at the Rainbow Room's opening.[18] He avoided going to or even talking about the Rainbow Room after the opening night, instead leaving the task to others.[25]

The media anticipated that "Jack Rockefeller's saloon and dance hall" would become a major draw for the elite and the famous.[20] In the decade following its opening, the Rainbow Room hosted former Spanish queen Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg; Norwegian Crown Prince Olav and Crown Princess Martha; and Swedish Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf and Crown Princess Louise.[26] The Rainbow Room became frequented by those who were both wealthy and worthy of society reporting.[27] The author Daniel Okrent writes that the diners at the Rainbow Room were representative of the uncommon, separated from "the masses" by "a price structure that required a trust fund and a dress code that required white tie."[18] Formal dress was required except on Sundays, each meal cost $3.50[21] (equivalent to $84 in 2025[28]), and the restaurant even had an exclusive bank of elevators from the lobby.[21] Dinners stretched from 6:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. the next day.[21] In contrast, the Rainbow Grill across the hall had a "black tie" dress code with "white linen acceptable in the summer."[29] The Rainbow Grill, which opened in 1935,[11] was a somewhat less expensive restaurant with an à la carte menu and its own celebrations on major holidays.[30]

The Luncheon Club was even more exclusive than the Rainbow Room, with 600 members and a board of nine governors. A prospective member had to be known to at least two governors to even be considered for the Luncheon Club.[31] Women were banned from the club. Jewish membership was limited to 3.5 percent of all members at any given time, ostensibly because that was the ratio of the American Jewish population to the entire American population at the time.[32] However, Jews in New York City numbered 30 percent of the city's population, so this was considered an anti-Semitic measure for some time.[33]

In its early years, the Rainbow Room had a difficult time attracting just the right types of customers.[34] Fortune magazine described the Rainbow Room's intended audience as "the nonflashy strata of the upper crust" who avoided such nightclubs as Stork Club or El Morocco.[35] The restaurant attempted to draw the rich and famous by hiring unorthodox entertainers, including monologists and impressionists.[36] There were many high expectations for the Rainbow Room, which was among the first restaurants with air conditioning, as well as one of the first clubs to open after the 21st Amendment's ratification.[34] The restaurant had a net loss in 1936, but Rockefeller Center Inc. used the publicity from Rainbow Room to advertise the western half of Rockefeller Center.[37] By the end of the decade, the Rainbow Room and Grill were described as being "two of the most successful clubs in the country".[12] In summer 1941, the Rainbow Room recorded its largest-ever profits. The New York Sun described a typical Saturday as "almost like New Year's Eve": the Rainbow Room served 575 diners a night despite only having 350 seats, and the Rainbow Grill served another 312 diners per night.[38]

1940s to 1980s

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Rainbow Room matchbook, c. 1996

By 1941, Rockefeller Center Inc's manager Hugh S. Robertson was in a dispute with the Rainbow Room's workers' union. Robertson threatened to shutter the restaurant and blame it on war-related reasons if they kept demanding wage increases.[38] The Rainbow Room was closed at the end of December 1942 due to World War II, which contributed to the "increasing shortage of manpower" in American civilian life, according to Robertson.[26][38] The Rockefeller Center Luncheon Club remained open through this time.[34][38] The Rainbow Room was used for private events, including a 1947 dinner in which Nelson Rockefeller launched a furniture-designing contest,[39] as well as a 1949 fundraiser for The Salvation Army.[40] The Rainbow Room was also proposed to be converted into a theater in 1949,[41] and several theatrical operators submitted bids for the space.[42] The restaurant reopened to the public in 1950, initially only as a cocktail lounge that shuttered at 9 p.m.[34][43]

In 1965, the Rainbow Room was closed again, this time for renovations. The refurbishment restored the establishment to its 1930s decor.[44] The historical accuracy of the decor continued through the 1970s.[34] Throughout the years, the Rainbow Room lost its sense of exclusivity, as almost anyone could book a reservation at the restaurant. However, even through the 1980s and 1990s, the restaurant still hosted the occasional politician.[45] On June 16, 1966, the restaurant hosted the 20th Tony Awards, which was the first Tony Awards ceremony held in the afternoon. In memory of the actress Helen Menken, who had died three months prior, the ceremony was closed to the public.[46][47] Entertainers began performing in the Rainbow Room again in 1973, for the first time in decades, starting on September 18 of that year when classical-piano duo Whittemore and Lowe played three 40-minute-long sets, with half of each set dedicated to song requests from guests.[48]

In January 1975, the Rainbow Grill had to close temporarily due to a rising lease[49] but reopened the following month when new management took over the operation.[50] The Rainbow Grill was also briefly closed for renovations in 1979 which included installation of a new stage.[51]

In 1985, the Rockefeller family bought the entire Rockefeller Center complex from Columbia University[52] and immediately set out to modernize many aspects of the complex.[53] As one of these components, the Rainbow Room was closed for a $20 million restoration and expansion that brought the restaurant's floor area to 4,500 square feet (420 m2).[54] John D. Rockefeller Jr.'s son David Rockefeller commissioned the restoration, which was led by Joe Baum, Arthur Emil, and Hugh Hardy.[55] At the time, Baum and Michael Whiteman were the restaurant's operators.[56] The Rainbow Room's expansion went through the only passageway that led to the RCA Building's observation deck, so the deck was subsequently closed.[17] The Rainbow Room reopened in December 1987[57] with cuisine, cutlery, and decorations designed to evoke the restaurant as it had been in the 1930s.[58] The restaurant's 300 lights were synchronized with a new sound system[59] and a new entrance was added at the southwest corner. The artist Dan Dailey created "Orbit", an 8-by-15-foot (2.4 by 4.6 m) glass mural, for the western wall behind the stage,[56] that was eventually moved to the Toledo Museum of Art in 2017.[60]

In 1987, Dale DeGroff was hired to lead the bar program at the Rainbow Room. There he made a list of classic and forgotten pre-Prohibition cocktails. For this menu, DeGroff reintroduced production of the Nick & Nora glass, and named it for the characters Nick and Nora Charles.[61]

1990s to present

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Cipriani operation and closure

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In 1998, the Rockefeller family passed operations of the Rainbow Room and Grill over to the Italian Cipriani S.A. family, founders of the renowned Harry's Bar in Venice, as well as several other restaurants in New York City.[62] The Ciprianis extensively removed the Rainbow Room's northeast and southeast seating terraces, replaced fabric decorations, and added wall mirrors.[56] They also closed the restaurant to the general public for most of the time,[63] with the public only being allowed for four to five days each month.[64] All 250 employees at the time were fired.[65] The same year, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission considered granting landmark status to the Rainbow Room. The Landmarks Commission ultimately decided against landmark status because the restaurant had been renovated 11 years prior, and the commission's guideline was that the proposed landmark "must be at least 30 years old".[66]

In 2003, Michael DiLeonardo testified in a tax-evasion case involving mobster Peter Gotti, in which he said that Ciprianis gave $120,000 to the Gambino crime family to make union problems at the Rainbow Room disappear. The charges were never confirmed.[67] A year later, the Ciprianis sued 30 Rockefeller Plaza's landlord, Tishman Speyer, for the latter's plan to place metal detectors at the lobby entrance to the Rainbow Room's elevator bank. Tishman Speyer cited security measures implemented after the September 11, 2001, attacks as the reason for installing metal detectors, but the Ciprianis said that the detectors would "damage the reputation and business of the Rainbow Room" by causing potential guests to wait for up to an hour before entering the restaurant.[68]

In 2008, the Cipriani company filed a brief, again requesting that the Rainbow Room be designated a New York City landmark. The designation would prevent the Rainbow Room from being converted into office space.[69][70] The Ciprianis then announced that they planned to close the grill on January 12, 2009, although part would remain open as a bar and banquet hall.[71][72] The Ciprianis' chief operating officer blamed the Great Recession and a dispute with the landlord.[69] Tishman Speyer said it intended to evict the Ciprianis unless they paid back rent.[73] The two sides settled the dispute, with the Ciprianis agreeing to give up possession of the restaurant and banquet hall on August 1, 2009.[74] The last night of dancing at the former hot spot took place on June 5, 2009, and the Grill closed its kitchen on June 21, 2009.[75]

Reopening

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In July 2011, it was announced that work had begun on remodeling the restaurant for its reopening.[76] The Ciprianis, who were still in dispute with Tishman Speyer, asked the Landmarks Commission to designate the restaurant as a landmark.[77] Building owners sometimes opposed interior landmark designation for their properties, since it would prevent them from making changes to the space without the LPC's permission, but Tishman Speyer supported the designation instead. On October 16, 2012, the commission designated the Rainbow Room as an interior landmark.[78] The LPC's change in decision stemmed from the fact that it had determined that some elements of the restaurant were old enough to be worthy of the historic status.[66] Subsequently, Tishman Speyer announced that the Rainbow Room would reopen in late 2014, with a new executive chef and management team, after undergoing a full restoration.[79][80]

After being restored by Gabellini Sheppard Associates, the Rainbow Room reopened to the public on October 5, 2014, with Tishman Speyer as the new owner and operator.[81][82] The renovation included the landmarked dance floor and a new cocktail lounge called Bar SixtyFive.[82][83] The Rainbow Grill was not included in the reopened restaurant's floor plan; that space was instead taken up by SixtyFive.[84] The Rainbow Room's only public operating hours were on Sunday mornings and afternoons, and on Monday nights; the rest of the time, the restaurant was used for private celebrations.[85] The restaurant's chef, Jonathan Wright, planned to serve "French-influenced farm-to-table" cuisine at the reopened restaurant.[86] In 2017, the Rainbow Room won an award for interior architecture from the American Institute of Architects.[87][88]

Pandemic closure, conversion to event venue

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The Rainbow Room closed temporarily in March 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City.[89][90] It reopened in May 2021 with a special Mother's Day brunch.[91][92] The Rainbow Room continues to host private events,[93] but as of 2022 it no longer operates as a public restaurant.[94]

Design

[edit]
The Rainbow Room with its multicolored lighting system

The Rainbow Room was originally designed by architect Wallace K. Harrison, of Rockefeller Center's Associated Architects,[95] as well as interior designer Elena Bachman Schmidt.[96][35] Harrison was one of the Associated Architects' principals, but he was not the complex's main architect; that distinction belonged to Raymond Hood. However, Hood's health was deteriorating by 1933, and as the months passed, Harrison had an incrementally increased involvement in Rockefeller Center's design.[97][98] John R. Todd, the main consulting architect, attributed the terrace layout of the Rainbow Room to one of Harrison's designs.[97] Schmidt, a one-time apprentice of Elsie de Wolfe, contributed to the design of the interior decor, such as the furniture, curtains, and elevator doors. Vincente Minnelli who would later become a film director, was assigned to help Schmidt select the colors of the walls. The walls were ultimately decorated in a plum purple pattern,[99][35] as were the blinds and linens in the Rainbow Room.[23] The restaurant's original architectural style was characterized as something that "bows to the ladies [and] steps back in a kind of restrained Oriental way" by the magazine Arts & Decoration,[100] and as "modern, like most post-Repeal ventures" by Architectural Forum.[101] The 1987 renovation brought the Rainbow Room into an "American Modern"[59] or simplified classical style.[54]

The Rainbow Room occupies the eastern part of 30 Rockefeller Plaza's 65th floor, which occupies 13,500 square feet (1,250 m2).[88][84][102] The central part of the floor features elevator banks, restrooms, a gallery, and a private dining room. The western part houses Bar SixtyFive and an outdoor terrace.[84] The restaurant proper occupies a 4,464-square-foot (414.7 m2) space:[84][97] its eastern and western walls are 62 feet (19 m) long, while its northern and southern walls are 72 feet (22 m) long.[97] Entrance to the Rainbow Room is from the west, and two small staircases from the western wall extended to the northeast and southeast so as to avoid the rotating dance floor.[84][102] A raised platform at the northwest corner of the room allows a full view of the space. The seats of the Rainbow Room are organized in "tiers". The northern and southern walls, as well as an alcove on the Rainbow Room's east end, offer single-tiered seating, while the northeast and southwest corners contain double-tiered seating.[103] Between the staircases on the restaurant's western side, there is also a platform for bands and a shallow balcony for entertainers.[84][103] The handrails on the staircases behind the platform contain brass mullions with glass panes between each mullion. There are also stairs and a dumbwaiter behind the platform, which lead to the 64th floor kitchen. False columns on the eastern wall conceal small compartments for operating the platform's floodlights.[103] Private events are also hosted in several banquet rooms on the 64th floor.[11]

The double-height restaurant contains twenty-four 24-foot-high (7.3 m) windows,[97][35] which surround the space so as to give it a "vista"-like quality.[11][10] Each window contains a blind that can be adjusted vertically, and there are radiators at the foot of many of these windows.[97] At the center of the restaurant is a revolving circular dance floor, which was inspired by the 1908 and long-closed Murray's Roman Gardens[104] on West 42nd Street at Broadway between Seventh and Eighth.[105] The 32-foot-wide (9.8 m) floor can rotate in either direction and can make a full revolution every 3–5 minutes.[103][106] In the 1987 renovation, the rotating floor was covered with a carpet design consisting of a "compass rose, sort of a star, surrounded by two sets of diamond patterns, each within a circular band", which was similar to the floor's original carpet design.[59] During lunchtime, the dance floor would stop rotating and an extra 70 seats could be placed on the stationary dance floor.[103] The Rainbow Room's rotating dance floor is said to draw its inspiration from the Round Room in the Carlu, a restaurant that Jacques Carlu designed in Toronto.[107]

Above the dance floor hang several concentric "rings" that recess into the ceiling from outside to inside, with the largest ring measuring 47 feet (14 m) across and the smallest, most recessed circle located in the center of the other rings. There is a chandelier hanging from a brass pole in the middle of the central circle.[103] This is the largest of the three chandeliers in the Rainbow Room, although a fourth chandelier formerly hung above the east alcove.[99] Both indirect lighting and crystal light fixtures on the walls illuminate the space. The lighting designer Edward F. Caldwell & Co. designed the room's original four chandeliers.[21] There are mirrors in the alcove, the eastern and western walls, and around the stage, which were intended to reflect the activity of the room in both the figurative and literal senses.[99]

Cuisine

[edit]

The menu of the Rainbow Room focuses on Modern American cuisine and in 2017 was rated by Zagat as "very expensive".[108] This stems from its legacy as a lunch club, where New York's more elite and influential figures could gather to socialize over cocktails, dine on fine cuisine, and dance on the revolving floor.[11] A 1965 New York Times article stated that the dinner choices included "coquille joinville",[a] steak marchand de vin, and parfait au liquers".[44] In 1984, New York magazine wrote that the menu of that time was very similar to the original menu, since "very little has changed over the years except the prices". Smoked salmon, oysters/clams, onion soup gratinee, bay scallops saute, coffee, and sherbet were among the foods from the original menu that appeared in the 1984 menu.[109]

Since the 2014 reopening, the dinner menu has consisted of a variety of appetizers, entrees, and desserts.[110][111] The Rainbow Room's appetizers included salads, a shallot artichoke soup, or chicken backbones.[110] According to Devra Ferst of Eater.com, the entrees included "scallops baked in the shell, lobster potpie with black truffles, short rib pot roast, beef wellington, roast duck, and baked Alaska."[111]

A private event in the Rainbow Room

Brunch is a hybrid of waiter service and buffet-style servings. There are different buffet bars for "breakfast classics", fruit and vegetable juices, parfaits, and crepes. There are also some cocktails and desserts served during brunch.[112] The Sunday brunches served at the Rainbow Room change every season.[112][113] In 2014, the New York Post's Steve Cuozzo wrote that the "well-turned out breakfast favorites" included "marvelously runny scrambled eggs, honey-baked ham, smoked salmon, sweet-spicy chicken sausage", and French toast.[85]

SixtyFive's menu consists of two types of beverages. There is a "classic list" featuring such drinks as a 1915 gin and tonic, and a "contemporary list" with items such as ginger beer. Ferst writes that according to an informal tallying of prices, the cheapest beverage on the menu cost $14.[111]

Reception

[edit]

Historically, the Rainbow Room has had a reputation as an important place for famous high society people. In 1942, Dance Magazine wrote, "The Rainbow Room is unique in many ways. The highest 'high spot' in the world, it is also the super night club in the world of the dance. From the beginning the Rainbow Room has done the unexpected, sponsored the new, and set the fashion for the rest of the dance world to follow."[114] The New York Times noted in 1965 that the Rainbow Room's clientele included "actors, debutantes, tourists, businessmen and secretaries" who flocked to the Rainbow Room for the $9.50 prix fixe dinner.[44] In 1975, a dining guide in The New York Times, described the eclectic mixture of patrons and the restaurant itself was described as having a "curious surprise" in the form of "a feeling of intimacy, for all the expected splendor, partly because of the encircling sweep of Manhattan lights through the tall windows 65 stories above the street."[115] A 1988 edition of Restaurant Business stated that "the Rainbow Room immediately became the dining/dancing mecca of sophisticated New Yorkers" immediately after it opened.[116]

In 1989, New York magazine mentioned that the Zagat Survey had rated the Rainbow Room as having the best decor in New York City.[117] In 2017, New York itself described the Rainbow Room as "one place true New Yorkers expect never to visit. Except, of course, when you have to: For a show-off wedding, an out-of-towner dinner, or just to satisfy your curiosity about whether it lives up to the romantic lore."[118] A 2005 review of the restaurant called it an "overrated bar" with "corporate phony" Art Deco decorations.[119]

In December 2014, after the restaurant's reopening, Zachary Feldman of The Village Voice described the space before 2009 as a "drab husk of its former self" and praised the New American supper cuisine with live acts as evidence that "the Rainbow Room has bounced back better than ever".[110] Writing in 2016, Claire Stern of InStyle lauded the brunch menu as being "as delicious as it is playfully presented".[113] The Post's Cuozzo called the brunch menu "worth $95 a head, not including liquor".[85] Zagat Guides gave the new Rainbow Room an average of 4.5 of 5 stars in its "Food", "Decor", and "Service" categories.[108]

References

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Rainbow Room

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The Rainbow Room is a landmark and entertainment venue on the 65th floor of in , , renowned for its role in hosting elite social gatherings, performances, and since its opening shortly after Prohibition's repeal. Established on October 3, 1934, as one of the nation's highest restaurants, it featured innovative design elements including a revolving wooden floor, a column-free double-height space with a domed ceiling, and expansive windows providing panoramic views, quickly positioning it as a hub of glamour and sophistication for celebrities, business leaders, and cultural figures. Over its history, the venue has weathered closures tied to wartime restrictions in and a 2009 landlord-tenant dispute that halted operations until a 2014 reopening following renovations and , underscoring its resilience amid economic and legal challenges. Designated a interior landmark in 2012 for its architecture and cultural significance, it has hosted charity balls, award ceremonies, and performances by luminaries, evolving from a public in the big band era to a primary site for private events while preserving its status as an enduring symbol of New York nightlife.

History

Planning and Construction

The Rainbow Room was conceived by as an upscale on the 65th floor of the RCA Building (now ) within the complex, intended to offer dining, dancing, and panoramic city views to attract affluent patrons during the . Planning emphasized a column-free, single-volume space optimized for entertainment, with Frank W. Darling tasked with developing the public-use concept. The venue was initially named the Stratosphere Room, reflecting its elevated position, but renamed the Rainbow Room in August 1934 after an RCA "color organ" lighting system that projected shifting hues across the interior. Following the RCA Building's completion in 1933 and the repeal of Prohibition on December 5, 1933, construction planning accelerated to enable alcohol service and position the space as a post-Prohibition nightlife destination. An amusement consultant was hired to devise visitor attractions, leading to rapid interior fit-out decisions. Work began in early 1934, with detailed interior construction starting in February under Associated Architects—comprising Reinhard & Hofmeister, Corbett, Harrison & MacMurray, and , Godley & Fouilhoux—with Wallace K. Harrison serving as lead designer for the space. The project, budgeted at $211,000 (with major costs for the organ and metalwork), included installing a 32-foot rotating dance floor, tiered seating for over 300 guests, and 24 floor-to-ceiling windows; it was completed by September 1934 for the October 3 opening. Interior decoration was overseen by Elena Bachman Schmidt, incorporating streamlined modern elements influenced by Joseph Urban and .

Opening and Early Operations

The Rainbow Room, an Art Deco-style restaurant and nightclub, opened on October 3, 1934, on the 65th floor of (then the RCA Building) in , . Construction had begun in early 1934, shortly after the repeal of , and was completed by September at a cost of $211,000, under the direction of the Associated Architects led by Wallace K. Harrison. The venue was conceived as a glamorous to capitalize on the post-Prohibition demand for upscale dining and entertainment, featuring innovative elements such as a 32-foot-diameter revolving circular dance floor, 24 large windows offering panoramic views of , and an RCA color organ that synchronized multicolored lighting effects with live music. Initially operated by and managed by Frank W. Darling, the managing director of Center Restaurants, the Rainbow Room provided dinner service from 6:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. at $3.50 per person, with a capacity of approximately 300 guests focused on formal dining, dancing, and performances by big bands of the era. By day, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the space doubled as the Rockefeller Center Luncheon Club for business meals, enhancing its utility within the complex. The opening attracted elite clientele, including industrialists and celebrities, positioning it as a symbol of luxury amid the , though its high elevation and novel features like the rotating floor drew both acclaim for innovation and occasional criticism for mechanical inconsistencies in early reviews.

Mid-20th Century Operations

The Rainbow Room suspended public operations on December 31, 1942, amid resource constraints and shifting national priorities, though it remained in limited use for non-commercial events throughout much of the . Rockefeller Center management repurposed the space intermittently for private functions, reflecting broader wartime adaptations in luxury venues where entertainment gave way to utilitarian needs. It reopened to the public in , but only as a subdued cocktail lounge with operations ceasing by 9:00 p.m. nightly, a far cry from its pre-war vibrancy featuring live orchestras and late-night dancing. This restrained format catered to diners seeking panoramic views and light refreshments rather than full-scale , aligning with economic recovery and changing social norms that diminished demand for extravagant big-band venues. Performers in this era included remnants of the swing tradition, such as ensembles echoing earlier acts like Glen Gray's Casa Loma Orchestra, though the lounge's early closure limited extended shows. By the mid-1950s, the venue hosted occasional big-band revivals and vocalists, sustaining its reputation as a high-altitude social hub despite scaled-back hours, with attractions like Lawrence Welk's orchestra drawing crowds for polished, family-oriented performances. Attendance focused on affluent patrons enjoying the 65th-floor vistas, but the lounge model persisted until a closure for modernization, marking the transition from wartime austerity to evolving mid-century tastes.

Cipriani Era and Pre-Closure Challenges

In June 1998, the Cipriani family, known for operating Harry's Bar in and other high-end establishments, acquired the lease for the Rainbow Room from the operators, marking a shift toward Italian-influenced and event hosting. Under their management, the venue emphasized private events, corporate functions, and catered dinners alongside public dining at the adjacent Rainbow Grill, with annual base rent reported at approximately $4 million by the late 1990s. The Ciprianis invested significant capital in compliance with lease terms, including upgrades to maintain the space's historic appeal, though specific operational innovations during this period were limited compared to earlier eras. By the mid-2000s, the Rainbow Room faced mounting pressures from rising operational costs and fluctuating patronage, exacerbated by a 2002 legal dispute where waitstaff unsuccessfully sued Cipriani over tip distribution, alleging misclassification as independent contractors rather than employees. These challenges intensified after the , which led to a sharp decline in business for luxury venues, prompting the temporary closure of the Rainbow Grill restaurant operations effective January 12, 2009, as announced by Cipriani executives citing economic conditions. A concurrent lease dispute with landlord Properties escalated the crisis; Tishman accused Cipriani of failing to pay rent and sought , while Cipriani countered that Tishman had neglected building maintenance obligations under the , violating agreements tied to Center's upkeep. This feud, rooted in disagreements over rent escalations and facility responsibilities, culminated in Cipriani surrendering the in 2009, leaving the Rainbow Room shuttered and unused for public events until post-renovation reopening under new management. The closure highlighted vulnerabilities in high-end amid economic downturns and property disputes, with no immediate resolution to the litigation between the parties.

Closure, Renovation, and Reopening

The Rainbow Room ceased public restaurant operations in early 2009 amid the global financial crisis and a protracted lease dispute with its landlord, Tishman Speyer Properties, which owns Rockefeller Center. Cipriani Food Inc., the venue's operator since 1998, announced on January 3, 2009, that it would shutter the Rainbow Grill—the Italian-themed dining component—effective January 12, due to sharply declining business and unpaid rent dating back to September 2008. Tishman Speyer issued a three-day eviction notice on January 9, citing the rent arrears, leading to court proceedings; Cipriani vacated the space peacefully by August 1, 2009, after lease termination. The full venue, including event spaces, remained dormant thereafter, marking the end of Cipriani's tenure. During the subsequent five-year closure from 2009 to 2014, extensive renovations restored and modernized the interior while preserving its status as a interior landmark, with plans approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission in January 2013. Key updates included retaining and refurbishing original elements such as vintage light fixtures, alongside replacements like a new dance floor and alterations to non-historic partitions; transparent window treatments adorned with thousands of crystals were added for aesthetic enhancement. A major addition was the SixtyFive cocktail lounge, featuring a silvery, faceted ceiling reminiscent of Frank Gehry's designs and a 950-square-foot wraparound outdoor terrace previously unused, expanding the space's capacity for events. These changes shifted the focus toward a high-end event venue model, with advanced technical upgrades for lighting and sound. The renovated Rainbow Room reopened to the public on October 5, 2014, under Tishman Speyer's direct management, nearly 80 years after its 1934 debut. Initial operations emphasized private events, with limited dining offered Sundays for brunch, Monday evenings, and select holidays; the SixtyFive lounge operated weeknights. The revival aimed to recapture the site's glamour while adapting to contemporary demand for flexible, upscale hosting rather than daily .

Post-2014 Developments

Following its reopening, the Rainbow Room operated under Tishman Speyer's direct management, blending limited access with a focus on high-end private events such as weddings, galas, and corporate gatherings. The venue's main functioned primarily as a catered event from through , with brunch offered on select weekends to capitalize on its panoramic skyline views and restored features. By the late , operations had solidified around private bookings, reflecting broader industry shifts toward experiential event venues amid fluctuating dining trends. The space hosted diverse functions, including charity events and holiday galas, maintaining its status as a landmark for elegant New York celebrations. The prompted a temporary suspension of activities in 2020, consistent with closures across New York City's hospitality sector, with the venue resuming private events in 2021 under enhanced protocols. Since then, it has continued to emphasize event services, leveraging its 65th-floor location at for capacities up to 300 guests in reception format. No significant structural changes or operator transitions have occurred, preserving the 2014 renovation's contemporary adaptations while honoring its historic designation.

Design and Architecture

Original Features and Innovations

The Rainbow Room, opened on October 3, 1934, exemplified Streamlined Modern design with neo-classical elements, crafted by architects led by Wallace K. Harrison and interior decorator Elena Bachman Schmidt. This style featured a double-height, column-free space measuring 72 feet east-west by 62 feet north-south, allowing for an expansive, unobstructed interior that enhanced the sense of grandeur and fluidity. The venue's perch on the 65th floor of marked it as one of the earliest dining and dancing establishments atop a , integrating panoramic city views into the experience through 24-foot-high floor-to-ceiling windows with bronze casements. A hallmark innovation was the 32-foot-diameter rotating parquet dance floor, constructed from fumed oak and maple in a compass rose pattern, which slowly revolved to add dynamism to social dancing. Complementing this, an RCA color organ synchronized multicolored lights—over 2,600 red, green, blue, and amber bulbs beneath 360 glass blocks in the floor—with the music's rhythm and mood, projecting rainbow effects that inspired the room's name. The 41-foot-diameter domed ceiling, finished in plum tones with recessed lighting and anchored by a central crystal chandelier from Edward F. Caldwell & Co., further amplified the ethereal atmosphere, while mirrors on the east and west walls created illusions of extended space and integrated skyline vistas. These elements collectively pioneered a fusion of technology, architecture, and entertainment in a high-altitude supper club setting.

Landmark Designation and Preservation

The interior of the Rainbow Room, located on the 65th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, was designated a New York City Interior Landmark by the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) on October 16, 2012, in a unanimous 7-0 vote. This marked the 115th interior landmark in the city and recognized the space's Streamlined Moderne design elements, including its original 1934 features such as the domed ceiling, revolving dance floor, and tiered seating platforms, which had been largely preserved despite subsequent alterations. The designation followed a public hearing and came after an earlier rejection in 1998, when the LPC deemed the space ineligible due to a major 1987 renovation that was considered too recent at the time. Preservation efforts have centered on balancing historical integrity with functional updates, particularly through supervised renovations. The 1987 restoration, overseen by architect Hugh Hardy of Hardy Holzmann Pfeiffer, retained key original elements like the aluminum leaf ceiling and geometric motifs while adapting the venue for contemporary use. Following the 2012 designation, the LPC approved a comprehensive renovation plan on January 8, 2013, which included restoration of historic details such as the crystal chandelier and wall paneling, ensuring compliance with landmark standards amid the venue's closure since 2009. These interventions have maintained the Rainbow Room's status as a rare surviving example of 1930s high-society nightlife architecture within Rockefeller Center, whose exterior was landmarked in 1985. The landmark status underscores the venue's cultural significance but imposes restrictions on modifications, requiring LPC review for any alterations to protected features. This has influenced ongoing operations, prioritizing the preservation of elements like the 24-foot-tall windows and perimeter balconies, which contribute to its panoramic views and Art Deco-inspired aesthetic. No federal designation applies specifically to the interior, though its integration into the broader complex supports wider historic preservation narratives in .

Renovations and Adaptations

The Rainbow Room's interiors, designated a interior landmark on October 16, 2012, have been subject to periodic renovations balancing preservation of its design with functional updates. In 1962, operator American News Company refurbished the space to restore decorative elements, including plum-colored silk wall panels, mirrored columns, and gold satin draperies. A subsequent effort in 1975 by the Brody Corporation maintained these features while reintroducing live music and dancing on the original floor. The most extensive pre-closure renovation occurred from January 1986 to December 1987, when the venue shut for a $20 million project—escalating to approximately $30 million—overseen by architect Hugh Hardy of Hardy Holzmann Pfeiffer for restaurateurs Joseph Baum and Michael Whiteman. Key restorations included the 10-point dance floor, resurfacing of the central dome with Dutch metal gilding, and revival of the rotating mechanism; additions comprised a southwest entrance and a glass art installation called "." This work expanded the floor area to 4,500 square feet without altering core structural or stylistic integrity. Under Cipriani management in 1999, adaptations involved removing upper seating terraces to open the layout, replacing carpets and fabrics, and installing additional mirrors, all while adhering to emerging preservation guidelines that preceded formal status. After closing to the public in 2009, the Rainbow Room reopened on October 5, 2014, following renovations by Gabellini Sheppard Associates that demolished and rebuilt floors, walls, and ceilings using materials in a subdued silvery palette of pearl-gray, off-white, and for a luminous effect. Original chandeliers and sconces were retained, and new window treatments incorporated panels with over 1,200 Preciosa optical cut crystals each— in clear, pale blue, smoky, and honey tones—to create refractive, veil-like prisms integrating with the skyline view. No structural modifications were made to comply with requirements, and the project introduced the adjacent SixtyFive bar as a dedicated lounge for year-round public access, adapting the space from exclusive dining to hybrid event and casual patronage.

Culinary and Operational Aspects

Historical Dining Experiences

The Rainbow Room initiated its dining operations on October 3, 1934, as an upscale on the 65th floor of , where meals were intertwined with live orchestral performances and dancing on a 32-foot-diameter revolving floor. Evening service ran from 6:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., featuring a $3.50 fixed-price that encompassed multi-course Continental fare, with a strict formal mandating tuxedos for men and evening gowns for women. The layout included tiered seating platforms encircling the dance area, accommodating over 300 diners, and 24 expansive windows framing unobstructed vistas, which elevated the sensory appeal of the experience. Daytime hours transformed the space into the Rockefeller Center Luncheon Club, open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for business-oriented meals served to office tenants, with capacity expanded to 375 via temporary carpeting over the dance floor. This dual-role underscored its role in the trend of "dining in the clouds," positioning it as one of the highest-elevation restaurants in the United States and a magnet for affluent patrons seeking prestige amid economic recovery. Dining halted in 1942 amid constraints, with the venue repurposed for patriotic events such as rallies, before resuming in 1950—initially as a cocktail lounge emphasizing drinks over full meals. Postwar reopenings restored the format, sustaining an aura of exclusivity through the 1950s and beyond, where white-tie gatherings drew celebrities like and to savor lavish dinners under crystal chandeliers and Edward F. Caldwell sconces, blending culinary refinement with big-band entertainment. These experiences epitomized mid-century New York glamour, with formal multi-course suppers transitioning into nocturnal revelry, though operational challenges and renovations periodically adapted the model without diminishing its elite cachet. The Rainbow Room's menu originated in 1934 as a offering emphasizing continental and American classics, with an expansive a la carte supper selection that included seafood, meats, and desserts tailored for evening entertainment atop . Early lunches were more casual, contrasting the formal dinners designed to complement the venue's dance floor and skyline views, reflecting operator priorities under Center's management to position it as a glamorous rather than a strictly gastronomic destination. During the 1987 relaunch overseen by restaurateur Joe Baum, the menu shifted toward a "cosmopolitan" style, providing flexibility to reinterpret traditional dishes while preserving an air of elegance suited to the restored Art Deco space. Baum, known for innovative venues like Windows on the World, influenced this evolution by prioritizing experiential dining that integrated food with live entertainment and cocktails, though core items remained rooted in mid-century American favorites to evoke the original era without radical departure. Under Cipriani operations starting in the late , the menu maintained continuity with prior classics, focusing on high-end service and familiar preparations amid the family's emphasis on luxury , though economic pressures led to adjustments like suspending certain services by 2009. Cipriani's Italian heritage did not significantly alter the American-leaning cuisine, as the venue's identity as a New York icon demanded adherence to longstanding expectations over imported styles. Following the 2014 reopening after renovation, executive chef Jonathan Wright introduced a blend of classic and contemporary American fare, featuring retro staples such as , lobster pot pie, and to nod to historical menus while updating for modern palates under new management by . This iteration reflected operator goals to balance nostalgia with accessibility, pricing items for affluent diners and emphasizing prix-fixe formats that supported the shift toward event-driven operations.

Shift to Event Venue Model

Following a five-year closure and extensive renovation, the Rainbow Room reopened on October 5, 2014, transitioning from its historical role as a public to a primary focus on private events and group dining. This shift emphasized hosting high-caliber banquets, weddings, corporate gatherings, and galas, leveraging the venue's panoramic views and landmark status for exclusive occasions. Public access was severely limited post-reopening, with diners initially invited only for , while the space operated five days a week for catered private functions featuring customizable menus. The redesign incorporated flexible, convertible layouts to accommodate varying event scales, from intimate private dining for 50 guests to large receptions for up to 350, supported by dedicated spaces like the Private Dining Room with floor-to-ceiling windows. This event-centric model, managed under Rockefeller Center's oversight, prioritized premium service and skyline vistas to attract elite clientele, marking a departure from daily operations toward a specialized venue for milestone and professional events. By , the Rainbow Room had solidified its reputation as New York's premier private event destination, with no regular public dining schedule.

Entertainment and Cultural Role

Early Entertainment Formats

The Rainbow Room debuted on October 3, 1934, as a emphasizing live entertainment integrated with dining, centered around a large revolving floor that rotated slowly to the rhythm of orchestral music, creating an immersive experience for patrons. Early programming featured orchestras, starting with Jolly Coburn and his ensemble, which provided swing-era tunes for waltzes, tangos, and other s, often with vocalists enhancing the performances. The venue's color-shifting lights, synchronized to the music via a custom organ, amplified the ambiance, drawing high-society crowds under a strict white-tie initially. Floor shows interspersed dinner service, showcasing a vaudeville-inspired variety of acts tailored to elite tastes, including magicians, puppeteers, fortune tellers, and novelty performers such as ping-pong champions or trained animals. Broadway-style crooners and international lounge entertainers appeared regularly, with ventriloquist and his dummy gaining early prominence through repeated engagements. This format positioned the Rainbow Room as a sophisticated alternative to rowdier speakeasies, prioritizing polished, family-friendly spectacles over risqué revues prevalent elsewhere in 1930s New York nightlife.

Notable Performers and Events

The Rainbow Room hosted renowned leaders and performers during its formative years, including , , , , , and , who entertained diners amid the venue's revolving dance floor and skyline views. These acts contributed to the club's reputation as a hub for swing-era music, with live orchestras providing for dancing and floor shows. Upon its opening on , 1934, the venue presented a diverse array of , featuring singers, dancers, , ventriloquists, magicians, and novelty acts such as animal performers and athletes, drawing an estimated 500,000 visitors in its first four years through private parties, charity balls, and award ceremonies. and his orchestra, which included early contributions from musicians like , performed there in the mid-1930s, as documented in live recordings from March and April 1936. In the late and beyond, nightly programming expanded to include Broadway crooners, international lounge acts, puppeteers, and fortune tellers, synchronized with the room's innovative that shifted hues in time with the music. To commemorate its 45th anniversary, the Rainbow Room booked seven singers from the era for performances beginning October 23, 1979, reviving nostalgic swing sounds. Following a closure from 2009 to 2014, the venue resumed entertainment with events like Michael Feinstein's live performance, broadcast on December 31, 2014, emphasizing its enduring role in New York nightlife. It has since hosted galas with musical elements, such as the Manhattan School of Music's 2022 and 2024 events honoring figures like .

Influence on New York Nightlife

The Rainbow Room exerted a foundational influence on New York City's nightlife by pioneering the upscale supper club model upon its opening on October 3, 1934, amid the Great Depression, offering an antidote of glamour through fine dining, live big band orchestras, and ballroom dancing in a column-free, double-height Art Deco space with panoramic skyline views from 24 floor-to-ceiling windows. Its innovations, including a rotating wooden dance floor—echoing earlier precedents like Murray's Roman Gardens—and an RCA color organ that synchronized multicolored lights (over 2,600 bulbs in red, green, blue, and amber) with music, established standards for immersive, theatrical entertainment that blended technology with elegance, drawing elite patrons and setting a template for venues prioritizing spectacle over Prohibition-era speakeasies' clandestinity. This format shaped the swing era's culture, hosting performances by ensembles led by figures like and attracting celebrities such as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, thereby normalizing high-society dancing and variety acts as central to Manhattan's evening social fabric from through the 1940s. As one of the scant surviving early 20th-century nightclubs, it preserved traditions of orchestral supper clubs against postwar shifts toward casual bars and rock venues, maintaining as a hub for formal even during daytime operations as a luncheon club for business elites. A 1987 renovation, costing $20–30 million under restaurateur , restored the 1930s design by Wallace K. Harrison and Hugh Hardy—reinstating crystal chandeliers by Edward F. Caldwell & Co. and neo-classical motifs influenced by Joseph Urban—rekindled interest in historic glamour, inspiring modern operators to emulate its themed spectacles, such as Fellini-inspired parties, in recreating prewar opulence for private events and reviving Manhattan's tradition of venue self-innovation. Concurrently, head bartender Dale DeGroff's tenure from 1987 to 1999 introduced a menu of 28 revived classic cocktails prepared with fresh juices and housemade syrups—eschewing mixes for authentic 19th- and early 20th-century recipes drawn from spots like the —propelling the craft cocktail renaissance and elevating bars as sophisticated anchors, with strong, ingredient-focused drinks becoming a staple in New York's scene. Over eight decades, the venue's legacy as a cultural magnet—hosting performers from to —has underscored its role in sustaining New York's reputation for aspirational nightlife, influencing event-driven models that prioritize views, heritage architecture, and multimedia entertainment amid economic fluctuations, though its shift to private bookings post-2009 reflects broader commercialization of historic spaces.

Reception and Impact

Achievements and Acclaim

The Rainbow Room's interiors were designated a interior landmark by the Landmarks Preservation Commission on October 16, 2012, recognizing its exceptional design elements, including the domed ceiling, revolving dance floor, and innovative color-changing lighting system installed in 1934. This designation, one of only about 100 interior landmarks in the city, underscores the venue's enduring architectural and cultural significance as a premier 1930s . Following its 2014-2015 renovation by Gabellini Sheppard Associates, the Rainbow Room received multiple design honors, including the 2015 Best of Year Award for its restoration of historic features alongside modern adaptations. The project also earned the 2015 Gold Key Award from the American Society of Interior Designers for excellence in hospitality design. In 2017, it was awarded the Institute Honor Award in Interior Architecture, praising the sensitive integration of preserved elements like the original murals and crystal chandelier with updated functionality. In the sector, the Rainbow Room was selected as one of Manhattan's three best dining venues by the New York City Hospitality Alliance in 2019, highlighting its operational excellence and appeal for special events. Its status as a preferred location for prestigious gatherings, such as the annual Loeb Awards and Academy of the Arts Achievement Awards, further reflects ongoing acclaim for its panoramic views and elegant ambiance.

Criticisms and Business Disputes

The Rainbow Room experienced a significant labor in May , when employees walked off the job to protest stalled contract negotiations with operator B.E. Rock Corporation, leading to operational disruptions and under the venue's iconic space. The action highlighted tensions over wages and working conditions amid broader challenges in the New York industry. Following its temporary closure in December 1998 due to declining bookings and financial pressures, the venue reopened under Cipriani management in 1999, but this transition sparked disputes with former unionized staff. Ex-employees accused Cipriani of refusing to hire them or consider their applications, alleging favoritism toward non-union temporary workers from catering s. Union negotiations stalled further, resulting in mass at the Rainbow Room and Cipriani's other locations, with the union rejecting a proposed offer in April 1999 over terms deemed insufficient. In a related legal setback, waitstaff classified as independent contractors lost a 2002 court battle for a share of service charges, as a federal ruling upheld the distinction despite their arguments for employee status protections. Business tensions escalated in 2003 when Cipriani Fifth Avenue sued landlord Properties for $40 million, citing a leaky , structural issues, and other failures that allegedly damaged operations. A state judge issued a temporary preventing from restricting access or implementing unagreed changes, amid Cipriani's broader claims of landlord interference. Cipriani also litigated against 's plan to install metal detectors in the lobby, arguing it would deter patrons and violate lease terms. The most prominent dispute culminated in 2009, when issued a three-day notice to Cipriani after non-payment of rent since September 2008, amid a renegotiation where annual rent exceeded $6 million. Cipriani countersued, securing a temporary from Supreme Court to halt the termination, while announcing the closure of the adjacent Rainbow Grill restaurant effective due to the recession's impact on bookings. These conflicts, compounded by a post-2008 decline in business, led to the full shuttering of public operations until a 2014 reopening under new management following renovations. Earlier operational criticisms in the 1980s pointed to competition from downtown clubs eroding its appeal, contributing to reduced patronage and necessitating major overhauls.

Broader Economic and Historical Significance

The Rainbow Room's establishment in October 1934, during the depths of the Great Depression, exemplified Rockefeller Center's strategy to foster economic activity through high-end leisure amid national unemployment rates exceeding 20 percent. As a component of John D. Rockefeller Jr.'s ambitious development, the venue offered dining and dancing for up to 300 patrons on the 65th floor of the RCA Building, attracting wealthy visitors with its innovative glass-block floor illuminated by over 2,600 colored lights, thereby generating revenue streams that supported ancillary jobs in service, entertainment, and maintenance within the complex. This model contributed to the broader revitalization of , where Center's construction and operations employed thousands during , with the Rainbow Room enhancing the site's draw as a multifaceted hub for and that sustained local businesses through sustained foot traffic and event hosting. The venue's emphasis on live performances and formal experiences helped anchor New York City's nightlife economy, influencing revenue models for similar establishments by prioritizing experiential luxury that persisted through economic expansions and contractions. Over subsequent decades, the Rainbow Room's adaptations— including its wartime conversion to a USO canteen serving Allied troops and its 1987 reopening with a focus on innovation—reflected causal links between macroeconomic shifts and hospitality trends, such as the 2009 closure amid the that idled 30 to 40 of its 120 staff due to declining patronage. Its enduring status as a designated interior since 2012 underscores its historical role in preserving artifacts of 1930s design, while transitions to private event spaces post-2014 have sustained economic contributions via high-value bookings that bolster Rockefeller Center's annual tourism influx exceeding 15 million visitors.

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  64. https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/rainbow-room-goes-to-court-to-avoid-closure/1893749/
  65. https://www.nydailynews.com/2009/01/13/judge-signs-temporary-restraining-order-halting-rainbow-rooms-lease-termination/
  66. https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna28482905
  67. https://evgrieve.com/2008/11/now-and-then-at-rainbow-room.html
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