Harry's Bar, Venice Italy

by The Travel Italy Grapevine Team

People have mixed views of Harry's Bar in Venice, Italy, but we did not have anything to eat there, all we had were drinks. When looking at the menu, it was easy to see that for 2, the bill could easily come to 350-500 euros, depending on what you had. However, one has to go to Harry's if only just for a Bellini.

Harry's Bar is an institution in Venice, having opened its doors in 1931 and named after a young lad who repaid his debt to Giuseppe Cipriani who had lent him the money during the Great Depression. In time's past it was the haunt of the rich and famous. Somerset Maughan, Noel Coward, Charlie Chaplin, Orson Welles, Truman Capote and Ernest Hemingway all visited Harry's Bar in the past.

Harry's Bar is not too far from Piazza San Marco. At the end of Piazza San Marco, where the two columns are situated, take a right and walk to the very end. You will find yourself opposite a gondola station. With your back to the gondolas Harry's Bar is the corner building on the right. The entrance is off the main street, down the calle.

When you enter Harry's Bar, don't expect glitz and glamour or you will be sorely disappointed. Instead you will walk into a bar rather reminiscent of a faded English pub found in a seaside resort. The furnishings are basic, with very few round tables for a meal, covered with pale yellow linen table cloths, but then none of the decor, except for the bar has been updated since it first opened in the 1930s. Their main draw card is their famous drink; a Bellini.

The glitz comes in the form of the waiters, who are very polite and trained in the old school. On the day I was there, there seemed more waiters than customers, but then it was in the middle of winter! The waiters were smartly dressed in black pants, white shirts, black bow-ties and a cream tuxedo jacket.

Today, you won't see any of the rich and famous at Harry's Bar, they have other places to visit in Venice. However, it is just a thrill going to a place where so many of the old stars and writers frequented. So, to enjoy a little slice of living history, pop into Harry's Bar and ask for a Bellini. They make hundreds a day, although at 15 euros it is not a cheap drink! It is absolutely sublime! It is made of 1/4 white peach juice and 3/4 Processo. It is certainly refreshing, and welcome after long walks around Venice, whether it is winter or summer.