Harry's Bar Cipriani

Step through an unmarked door on Calle Vallaresso and you’ll find yourself in one of the world’s most storied drinking establishments. Harry’s Bar Cipriani sits just steps from Piazza San Marco, yet its modest entrance belies the legendary status within. This is the kind of place where history lives in every polished wooden table and marble-topped bar surface—a true Venetian institution that has been serving discerning drinkers since 1931.

The cocktail program here isn’t just good—it’s historic. This is where the bellini was born in 1948, that perfect marriage of prosecco and white peach purée that has since conquered cocktail menus worldwide. If you’re visiting during summer months, ordering one feels almost obligatory. The gin martini is another house specialty, served unconventionally in a small tumbler rather than the traditional stemmed glass, ensuring every sip stays ice cold.

Beyond the drinks, Harry’s offers refined bar snacks that have become classics in their own right. The beef carpaccio originated here, and the kitchen still prepares it beautifully. A simple grilled ham and cheese makes for an elegant accompaniment to your cocktails. The service carries that particular brand of continental coolness—efficient but unhurried, professional but not overly warm.

There’s one modern inconvenience to accept: photography isn’t permitted inside. Your bellini won’t make it to social media, but perhaps that’s fitting for a place so rooted in old-world sophistication. Harry’s Bar is about being present, soaking in an atmosphere that countless celebrities, writers, and travelers have enjoyed before you. It’s expensive, it’s exclusive, and it’s absolutely worth experiencing at least once.