In what city is Mad Men set?

Mad Men is set primarily in New York City. The series follows employees of Madison Avenue advertising agencies during the 1960s, with the fictional Sterling Cooper agency located in Manhattan.

New York is more than a backdrop: the city’s advertising culture, corporate offices, department stores, restaurants, and changing social customs shape the characters’ careers and private lives. Many scenes take place around Midtown Manhattan, while characters also travel to suburbs, hotels, and client locations.

The title refers to the “Mad Men” nickname associated with Madison Avenue advertising executives. Although the show includes locations outside New York—including Los Angeles and other parts of the United States—the central workplace and story world remain Manhattan. A common mix-up is confusing the show’s setting with where it was filmed; much of the production took place in Los Angeles, with some filming in New York.