Harry's bar - The world's most famous bar

It is not its size that impresses. Unlike many other bars around the world, Harry's bar feels like a quiet oasis in the middle of one of Italy's biggest tourist attractions: Venice. The place oozes an atmosphere of domestic calm. And then, it is a place where – if you can afford it – you can enjoy a Bellini cocktail or a gin & tonic.

Honestly, it does not matter much what is written about Harry's Bar in Venice. From the outside, it does not look like much. Inside, it's not big either: 20 tables spread around a room of around 50 square meters. But the history behind the bar and its legendary reputation are as resilient as few. In the 1950s, one could encounter Ernest Hemingway enjoying a cocktail at the bar. Most likely a Dry Martini in a mixing ratio of 1:15. As in 15 parts gin to one part Martini.

And Hemingway was certainly not the only one to appreciate the atmosphere in Harry's Bar. Here you could meet famous writers and actors such as Truman Capote, Orson Welles and Maria Callas when they were out on the town mingling with European counts and barons. But even the story of the bar's creation alone is worthy of a film.

It goes like this: In 1928 Guiseppe Cipriani was employed as a bartender at the Hotel Europa e Britannia in Venice. One of his regulars – Harry Pickering – had fallen out with his rich American family and was unable to pay the hotel and bar bill (and it was big!) let alone a return ticket. Out of the goodness of his heart, Cipriani lent him 10,000 lire – an amount that in today's currency is roughly equivalent to 6000 GBP! He hardly expected to see his money again. But a few years later, Pickering returned to pay his debt. And put 40,000 lire on top to thank Cipriani for his help. This was enough to buy a small warehouse at No. 1323 Calle Vallaresso San Marco overlooking the Grand Canal, where Cipriani opened Harry's Bar in 1931.

His goal was to combine an elegant atmosphere with a familiar mood welcoming guests from the city's large hotels. The means were simple: drinks and good cocktails. A light, classic Italian menu satisfied the hunger. Offered with a discreet professional service. Before the war – and especially in the post-war period – famous writers and musicians amassed in Harry's Bar.

In the winter of 1949-50, it was the writer Ernest Hemingway that frequented the spot. British Field Marshal Montgomery also visited Harry's Bar regularly. Both enjoyed one of Cipriani's signature drinks: One – or many – Dry Martinis.

But in the end, it was a completely different cocktail that made Harry's Bar as famous as it is today. Namely the Bellini Cocktail. An extremely fresh and mouth-watering cocktail that simply consists of white peach puree and white, bubbly Prosecco. Guiseppe Cipriani's menu also contained a line of gifts to the gastronomic world. Like, for example, carpaccio. A dish he created for Countess Amalia Nani Mocenigo, who had, for medical reasons, been forbidden to consume processed meat. Instead, Cipriani cut ultra-thin slices of raw beef, arranged them on a plate and decorated it with an almost abstract pattern of his all-round sauce made on mayonnaise, Worcester sauce, lemon, milk, salt and pepper. Simple – but delicate.

Cocktail Bellini and other classic cocktail such as Dry Martini, Manhattan and Whiskey Sour, as well as dishes like carpaccio and scampi all'Armoricaine, are still on the menu. Neither the menu nor the bar itself seems to have changed at all in the last 91 years since Guiseppe Cipriani first opened his doors. Not to say that time has stood still. In fact, the Cipriani family has managed to make Harry's Bar into a global brand. They produce their own Prosecco for the Cocktail Bellini. Cipriani bars, clubs and hotels have opened in New York, Las Vegas, Miami and Monte Carlo. Yes, even in Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia. But there is only one authentic Harry's Bar – and it is in Venice.

Paris, London and Rome

Most people associate the name with Guiseppe Cipriani's famous bar in Venice. But in fact, the name Harry's bar is not as uncommon as you might think. As early as in 1911, the first of its kind opened in Paris.

Harry's Bar is an extremely popular name for a bar. All around the world – with no seemingly connection to Cipriani's bar in Venice – you can find famous bars that bear the iconic name. And some of them are even considerably older.

As early as in 1911, Harry's Bar opened in Paris and is, to this day, like a small piece of Manhattan in the heart of Paris. Actors and other celebrities with an appetite for solid cocktails have gathered here. And you do not have to be particularly familiar with the French language to guide Parisian taxi drivers to Harry's Bar. Just say: 'Sank Roo Doe Noo' – and it almost sounds like the address: 5, Rue Daunou. Just around the corner from Place Vendôme in the heart of the French capital. And then again, there does seem to be a connection to Harry's Bar in Venice: The Parisian version of Harry's Bar was also amongst Hemingway's favourites.

London

A small fun fact: The legendary Bloody Mary cocktail was in fact invented in Harry's Bar in Paris. The honour goes to bartender Fernand Petiot, who mixed it for the first time in 1921. This cocktail, by the way, is also known as one of Hemingway's favourites. Guiseppe Cipriani's establishment in Venice certainly played a big role when Harry's Bar came to London in 1979. And in fact, the English capital can boast itself of no more than two: In Mayfair lies the elegant and fashionable Harry's Bar Private Dining Club, where a paid membership Ci is required for entry.

Besides, you must follow the club's dress code. Here, it is certainly not a good idea to arrive in white jeans, a T-shirt or leather pants. The requirements are: jacket, tie and dark trousers.

The rules are not as strict if you move a little further north to London's Marylbone district. Specifically, in James Street, where Harry's Bar has served countless cocktails and drinks the past 43 years. Not to mention the food, which is classic Italian – and in many ways not so different from Guiseppe Cipriani's menu in Venice.

Harry's Bar in London is one of the city's more fashionable establishments. The food is good. The drinks are even better. And just like in Venice, the staff is professional and welcoming. The bar may not have the air or romance of the original Harry's Bar. But at least it is a strong antidote to the discotheques and fast food restaurants of the big city.

Harry's Bar in Rome

It is even possible to frequent a Harry's Bar in the Italian capital. But, like the one in Paris, the establishment at Via Vittoria Veneto 150 has no apparent connection to Guiseppe Cipriani's in Venice. The bar even originally opened under a different name, namely Golden Gate back in 1918. It was not until 1950 that it was renamed Harry's Bar Rome.

Nevertheless, through the 1950s it became a well-known place-to-be for celebrities, actors and directors. Here you could encounter stars such as Ava Gardner, Marlon Brando, Sophia Loren and Frank Sinatra, who often played the bar's piano. Harry's Bar Rome's international fame was firmly cemented when director Federico Fellini used the bar for a scene in his blockbuster hit La Dolce Vita (1960). Fellini himself happened to be one of the bar's regulars. Throughout the years, paparazzi photographers have hung around Harry's Bar Rome. Because here it was always possible to catch movie stars and other celebrities.