Where Was “Roxanne” Filmed?

Love the 80s classic romantic comedy and are wondering: where was “Roxanne” filmed? Then you’ve come to the right place! We at Peerspace will take a deep dive into that subject ahead. Today we’ll tour all the most memorable locations from the movie and tell you which ones you can see for yourself.

And for the aspiring filmmaker or creative, stay tuned until the end when we share where to find your own “Roxanne”-inspired filming location to rent. Without further ado, let’s take a trip down memory lane with a classic romantic comedy from the 80s!

What is “Roxanne”?

A modern adaptation of Edmond Rostand’s play “Cyrano de Bergerac,” the 1987 film “Roxanne” starred Steve Martin helming the Cyrano role as Charlie “C.D.” Bales. He falls in love with Daryl Hannah, who plays Roxanne, and assists Rick Rossovich, who plays the equivalent of Christian in the play.

The romantic comedy was a hit among critics and audiences and continues to create new fans yearly. The movie takes place in the quaint and idyllic small town of Nelson. There is no shortage of scenery and buildings to make you ask the question: where was “Roxanne” filmed?

Are you a huge fan of 80s classic comedies? Then you need to check out the filming locations of “Stripes,” too!

Is Nelson a real place?

The movie says that the town of Nelson is in the United States. And if you took them at their word, you might believe it! The town has rows of brick buildings that are reminiscent of just about any small town in America and make you ask the question: where was “Roxanne” filmed?

As it turns out, the production wasn’t actually in the United States but in a town called Nelson in British Columbia, Canada. When “Roxanne” came to Nelson, it was a first for the locals, who never expected to host a Steve Martin movie.

According to Castlegar News, the town was deep into a revitalization project to restore many of its Victorian-era buildings. As it turned out, this was exactly what the production was looking for: “Nelson appealed to the location scout because they were looking for a place with Victorian architecture that could stand in for a Washington ski town. In particular they wanted a lush Victorian house and various bars, including a club that is in a cellar.”

They found it all in Nelson and completed the shoot over the course of three weeks. Both Steve Martin and Rick Rossovich’s characters worked for the fire department. So the town of Nelson’s fire department chipped in quite a bit to help complete the movie. The town is proud of its legacy as the filming location for “Roxanne,” and it led to them having more movies filmed there. Some of the more recent titles filmed in Nelson include “Age of Adaline” in 2015 and “The Tall Man” in 2012.

Some of the notable locations that you’ll see if you go to Nelson and take the “Roxanne” walking tour include the old fire station, the barn, and the “All Things Dead” shop, according to IMDB. For many of the interiors and a few of the exterior shots, the production went to Vancouver, one of the biggest filming hubs in the world.

Where did they film the bar scene in “Roxanne”?

One of the most memorable scenes from “Roxanne” is when the characters are having a night out at Dixie’s Cafe. After receiving some ribbing from another patron, C.D. delivers 20 jokes at his own expense and wins over the rest of the bar. This is another one of those classic scenes that makes you want to ask the question: where was “Roxanne” filmed?

Thankfully you can still visit this location today. According to TV Hulk, the actual building is Jackson’s Hole and Grill. Located at 524 Vernon Street in the city of Nelson, you can still have a meal in this historic building and reminisce on the hilarious scene.

Where did they film Roxanne’s house?

Another location where some of the movie’s most memorable scenes take place is Roxanne’s gorgeous Victorian home. There we see the scene where Steve Martin’s C.D. helps Chris by impersonating him and wooing Roxanne outside her window. The home is unmistakably beautiful and certainly makes you ask the question: where was “Roxanne” filmed?

According to IMDB, they filmed Roxanne’s house in the town of Anmore in British Columbia. If you want to see this home for yourself, please keep in mind that it is a private residence. Therefore, you should not do anything to disturb the people who reside there.

As for the home that belonged to Steve Martin’s character, Castlegar News reports that it’s unknown exactly where it is. They speculate that it’s somewhere in the Lower Mainland.

Do “Roxanne” and “Big Sky” possibly share filming locations? Find out here!

Find your own “Roxanne”-inspired filming location

Hopefully, after watching “Roxanne”, you came out the other end looking to create your own romantic comedy. If your project needs filming locations or production studios, then be sure to stop by Peerspace. Peerspace is the number one digital platform for venue rentals and has thousands of unique spots across the globe.

For instance, maybe you need to find a Victorian-era home that reminds you of Roxanne’s gorgeous home. If so, then take a look at this beautifully restored Victorian-era mansion in Columbia, South Carolina. This home is on the National Register of Historic Places and dates back to the late 19th century. It’s ideal for anybody trying to match that “Roxanne” vibe.

No matter what kind of style or era of home you’re looking for, you’re sure to find it on Peerspace. See what you can find, and maybe you’ll be the next one to adapt a classic play like Cyrano de Bergerac!

Find unique filming locations on Peeerspace