The film is shot as an energetic ensemble snapshot of one night in Manhattan, following several groups crisscrossing the city on New Year's Eve. The narrative relies on street corners, apartment buildings, and bars for characters to randomly bump into each other, turning the neighborhood geography into a map of missed connections, quick detours, and last-minute decisions.

Filming Locations:

Ace Bar

In the Movie

Scene where characters gather at a downtown bar during their nighttime wanderings, using it as a meeting spot and rallying point when plans fall apart. The bar's atmosphere facilitates quick conversations, sudden encounters, and the feeling that everyone is chasing the same party while losing track of time.

In Reality

The scene was filmed in the long-established East Village/Alphabet City area, on East 5th Street, surrounded by low-rise buildings and typical Manhattan pedestrian traffic on side streets. The establishment is known for its casual, dimly lit interior and street-level facade, which perfectly suited the gritty early-1980s look needed.

West End Avenue and West 77th Street

In the Movie

Scene where the exterior is used to denote Cindy's apartment, highlighting the practical side of the night—getting ready, arriving, and dealing with the awkward logistics of dates and quick cross-neighborhood moves as the countdown approaches.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at a residential intersection in the Upper West Side, lined with pre-war apartment buildings and wide avenues, creating a calmer, more orderly contrast to the downtown streets. The corner near 365 West End Avenue provides a classic Manhattan 'home base' look with uniform architecture and predictable traffic flow.

Avenue B and East 9th Street

In the Movie

Scene where street-level scenes unfold as people move on foot, check routes, and try to find the party while juggling their romantic plans. The corner serves as a natural stopping point where characters can randomly meet or drift apart again.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at a corner in the Lower East Side/Alphabet City, reflecting the area's dense street grid, with small storefronts, mixed residential buildings, and typical roadside activity. The intersection frames well for characters entering from different directions and conveys the atmosphere of nighttime movement.

Avenue A (from East 7th Street to St. Marks Place)

In the Movie

Scene where a sequence of walks and searches uses this stretch of the avenue to emphasize how close everyone is geographically, yet they keep missing each other socially. The location supports the film's rhythm of quick moves, short exchanges, and constant course corrections toward the same goal.

In Reality

The scene was filmed on a recognizable stretch of Avenue A in the East Village, extending between East 7th Street and St. Marks Place (East 8th Street)—an area associated with nightlife, crowded sidewalks, and densely built blocks with storefronts. This street segment provides an authentic backdrop for 'walking' scenes with the right neighborhood identity for the narrative.

East 6th Street (between 1st and 2nd Avenues)

In the Movie

Scene where the block is used for transitional street scenes as characters move between stops, argue, flirt, or revise plans in real time. This helps convey the practical reality of getting to a Manhattan party—short distances, frequent turns, and constant interruptions from the surroundings.

In Reality

The scene was filmed on a classic East Village side street block between 1st and 2nd Avenues, characterized by a narrow roadway, parked cars, and tightly packed buildings typical of this part of Manhattan. It provides an enclosed urban corridor that works well for night shooting and scenes with characters walking and talking.