For fans of the beloved police sitcom, the search for the iconic Brooklyn 99 filming locations is less about geography and more about connecting with the vibrant energy of the show. While the series is set in the bustling 99th Precinct in Brooklyn, the production utilized a combination of soundstages and carefully chosen exterior spots to create its distinct New York atmosphere. Understanding where the laughs and the action were actually captured provides a new layer of appreciation for the series' visual style and production design.
The Primary Production Hub: Steiner Studios
The overwhelming majority of Brooklyn 99's interior scenes, from the bustling bullpen to Captain Holt's immaculate office, were filmed at Steiner Studios in Brooklyn. This massive facility, located in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, is one of the largest film and television production studios in the United States. Its expansive soundstages provided the controlled environment necessary to recreate the precinct's interior, allowing for consistent lighting and the complex choreography of the cast and crew during long filming days.
Soundstages and Set Design
Within Steiner Studios, multiple soundstages were dedicated to the intricate sets of the 99th Precinct. The main bullpen, where Jake and the team are often seated at their cluttered desks, was a permanent fixture built to scale. Production designers paid meticulous attention to detail, from the layout of the squad room to the specific decor of Captain Holt's office, ensuring the space felt authentic despite being entirely constructed. This stage-based approach is standard for multi-camera sitcoms, providing the lighting and camera stability required for the show's signature humor and timing.
Iconic Exterior Locations in Brooklyn
While the interiors were controlled, the show's creators insisted on authentic Brooklyn backdrops for exterior shots, grounding the fantasy of the sitcom in a recognizable urban landscape. These locations were chosen to provide instant context, signaling to the audience that the events were taking place in the diverse and energetic borough of Brooklyn. Driving past these spots offers a direct connection to the show's visual identity.
150 Montague Street, Brooklyn: This is the undisputed star of Brooklyn 99 exterior filming. This classic brick building in the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood serves as the primary establishing shot for the 99th Precinct. The specific angle and the building's weathered appearance create the perfect visual shorthand for the police station, making it one of the most recognizable addresses in television.
Cadman Plaza, Downtown Brooklyn: Various scenes, particularly those involving stakeouts or characters walking to the precinct, were filmed around this scenic plaza. Its location near the Brooklyn Borough Hall provides a stately and bustling urban setting that contrasts effectively with the often-silly events inside the station.
Occasional Forays Beyond Brooklyn
Although rooted in Brooklyn, the production occasionally ventured outside the borough to capture specific scenes that required a different look or feel. These trips were usually for specific narrative beats, such as a character traveling for a conference or a storyline that demanded a different urban or suburban landscape. These locations were selected carefully to serve the plot without disrupting the show's core identity.
The Impact of Authentic Location
The decision to use a recognizable exterior like 150 Montague Street was a masterstroke in world-building. It grounds the show's outlandish plots and heightened comedy in a tangible reality. Viewers subconsciously register the authentic Brooklyn architecture and street scene, which adds weight to the fictional proceedings inside the precinct. This blend of the real and the fabricated is a key part of the show's enduring charm.
