New York Dearest
The guide, $35

See and do · Landmarks and history · 2026

The mafia hangouts of New York.

In my order, from my own visits, updated September 2026. 13 places.

New York City is the birthplace of the American Mafia, and for more than 150 years gangsters have left their mark on the Big Apple. Planning your New York City mafia sites adventure? Here’s everything I wish I’d known. If you’re interested in visiting some of the old mafia haunts in NYC keep reading because we’ll cover former hangouts, homes, and even a few places where wise guys got whacked.

The atmosphere here is hard to describe but impossible to forget, something genuinely special about Infamous Mafia Assassination Sites in New York City. It’s one of those places in New York City that I find myself recommending over and over again, not because it’s the most obvious choice, but because it delivers an experience that stays with you. The kind of place where you look up from whatever you’re doing and think, ‘I’m really glad I came here.’ Give yourself enough time to explore without rushing, the best details reveal themselves slowly. If you’re visiting New York City for the first time, put this near the top of your list.

Antonina PattizI went to every one · how I decide
  1. Umberto's Clam HouseRestaurant · Little ItalyGallo, who was a caporegime of the Colombo crime family, was infamously shot on his birthday at Umberto's in 1972.
  2. Sparks SteakhouseRestaurant · MidtownIn 1985 gunfire erupted as Paul Castellano, boss of the Gambino crime family, was assassinated entering the restaurant.
  3. Columbus CircleLandmark · Columbus CircleOn June 28, 1971 Joe Colombo, head of the Colombo crime family, was shot by a lone gunman at the second annual Italian Unity Day at Columbus Circle.
  4. Park Central HotelHotel · MidtownIt's also one of the most famous mafia sites in New York City because in 1957 Albert Anastasia, founder and boss of the Gambino crime family and Murder, Inc.
  5. Rao'sRestaurant · Harlem/East HarlemIn 2003 the restaurant was the scene of a murder, spurred by an argument that could've been out of a movie.
  6. The Majestic Apartment BuildingLandmark · Upper West Side
  7. John Gotti's Howard Beach HomeLandmark · Howard BeachThe 2,500 square food home is valued a little south of one million dollars and is one of the most famous mafia sites in New York City.
  8. Al Capone's Brooklyn TownhouseLandmark · Park SlopeThe townhouse was last sold in 2021 for a whopping 2.5 million which is a hefty chunk of change, even for a mob boss.
  9. Lefty Ruggiero's Apartment at Knickerbocker VillageLandmark · Lower East SideThe apartment complex was home to Benjamin "Lefty" Ruggiero, played by Al Pacino in the 1997 film Donnie Brasco.
  10. Vincent "the Chin" Gigante's Home & HangoutLandmark · Greenwich VillageGigante's house is at 225 Sullivan St. and the Triangle Boys Social Club where he conducted business was at 208 Sullivan St.
  11. Fat Tony Salerno's East Harlem HangoutLandmark · Harlem/East Harlem
  12. The RaveniteLandmark · Little ItalyIt used to be The Ravenite Social Club, the headquarters of the Gambino crime family.
  13. Roy Demeo's Gemini LoungeLandmark · FlatlandsIronically the former lounge is now a church, and at first glance you'd never assume it was one of the bloodiest mafia hangouts in New York City.

The mafia hangouts of New York, 2026

The seal

The places on this list can show it. It links back here, so a reader sees the whole list and how it was made. No fee.

The full guide, with the ones that didn't make it and why: 12+ Notorious Mafia Hangouts in New York City.