About Us

Czech Center New York

at the Bohemian National Hall (between 1st and 2nd Avenue)

321 E 73rd Street
New York, NY 10021
Close by Transportation: Q train to 72nd Street or 6 train to 68th Street - Hunter College or 77th Street.

We are delighted to announce that, in line with government safety guidelines, our Gallery and Library have now reopened with a limited capacity. In order to maintain social distancing, all visits will be by appointment only. At this time, the Library is accepting returns only, no lending will take place until further notice. Access is limited to individuals, couples, and families. Free of charge. No walk-ins.

We are open on Wednesdays, 1-4 pm, by appointment only.
Appointments will start promptly at: 1:00pm | 1:30pm | 2:00pm | 2:30pm | 3:00pm | 3:30pm

Check availability and book your appointment in advance.

Don't forget about our library.

Czech Centers

Czech Centers, a contributory organization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, are the core instrument of public diplomacy of the Czech Republic’s foreign policy, and strive to support the reputation of the Czech Republic in the world.

Czech Centers are members of the network of European cultural institutes – EUNIC.
Czech Centers present the Czech Republic in a wide range of cultural and social areas: from art through the creative industries to the achievements of Czech science and innovations.

Czech Centers also provide Czech language courses in foreign countries. They participate in international projects and serve as a platform for the development of international cultural dialogue.

At present, there are 25 branches across three continents – in addition to Czech Centers these also include the Czech Houses in Moscow, Jerusalem and Bratislava.

Bohemian National Hall

Our five-story building was designed by William C. Frohne in the Renaissance Revival style, and built in 1896 and renovated in 2008. It is a rare survivor of the many social halls built in the nineteenth century for New York City's immigrant ethnic communities.

The initial restoration of the building façade was carried out in the 1990s under the direction of Czech-American preservation architect Jan Hird Pokorny, who was also instrumental in the building's designation as a New York City landmark in 1994. A state-of-the-art performance space was first completed on the third floor, followed by the restoration of the elegant 1890s ballroom and auditorium on the fourth floor and completion of the other spaces occupied by Czech Government entities including the offices of the Consulate General and the Czech Center.

On the third floor, you can find BBLA and Dvořák Room. Located in other areas of the building are the Czech Center exhibition space, a cinema, and a Czech restaurant. Since the Grand Opening of the renovated building in November 2008, the Bohemian National Hall has became a truly common space for organizing events and meetings of Czechs living in America and their countrymen back home.