What do you think?
Rate this book
Harry's Bar: The Life & Times of the Legendary Venice Landmark
The anecdotal history of Harry's Bar in Venice, a meeting place for the rich and famous for sixty-five years, accompanies the autobiography of one of the founders of the bar, Arrigo Cipriani, from World War II through the present.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published September 30, 1996
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
February 24, 2015
Interesting to know the history behind Harry's Bar, but despite the repeated criticisms of snobbery, the author does plenty of name dropping throughout the book, and makes a disparaging remark about a Rolls Royce being sent to collect him ("If they were hoping to impress they shouldn't have sent the Rolls - my car is a Ferrari," or some such guff). Many times I found myself wondering what the other side of a particular tale would sound like, and on a couple of occasions got the impression that passages had been included for the sole purpose of score-settling. I read this in preparation for a trip to Venice, but I doubt I'll be popping into Harry's Bar while I'm there. Some ghosts are best left undisturbed.
May 27, 2013
This a marvelous work from its inspirational beginning through to it's last chapters. The first chapters of the book are truly inspirational, dealing with the mindset of the originaination of "Harry's Bar"in Venice. The background stories of the founder make fascinating reading. Lots of soul and insights of what make it a a legendary place.
Unfortunately the last third of this captivating work is marred with the business aspects of running a a replica in Manhattan, New York. The work losses it's spirit and charm in the boring details of operating in New York City. The engaging wrap-up or exchanging letters at the end almost saves this wonderful story from just another piece of flack,
All, in all it was a compelling read, that surfaced the times this reader had experienced visiting "Harry's Bar" in Venice in times long past
Unfortunately the last third of this captivating work is marred with the business aspects of running a a replica in Manhattan, New York. The work losses it's spirit and charm in the boring details of operating in New York City. The engaging wrap-up or exchanging letters at the end almost saves this wonderful story from just another piece of flack,
All, in all it was a compelling read, that surfaced the times this reader had experienced visiting "Harry's Bar" in Venice in times long past
September 12, 2010
Intersting history of the famous bar but Arrigo got a litle carried away with settling old scores with other resturanteurs and lenders he didn't get along with. all you need to remember is that the next time your in Venice, stand with your back to Piazza San Marco facing the lagoon, turn right and stroll as far as you can go until you reach the first canal and take an immediate right through the most unassuming door that leads into the glorius Harry's Bar. Sit down, order a Martini or three and after you're sufficiently plastered you're ready to wander the alley ways of Venice, to take in some of the most incredible culture on earth, a city you can never get too lost in.
January 6, 2023
An odd little hodgepodge, Harry’s Bar is a quick, mostly engaging memoir that succeeds on the strength of its author’s considerable gift for storytelling. Born into a tavern-keeping family, trained as a lawyer, and having nearly a half-century’s experience in high-end hospitality when he wrote Harry’s Bar, author Arrigo Cipriani knows how to turn a phrase and embroider an anecdote. He has a soft spot for eccentrics, and his sketches are populated by the threadbare heirs of Venice’s noble families, glamorous international tourists, and hapless nouveaux riches. Fans of John Berendt’s City of Falling Angels will feel right at home in Harry’s Bar.
It was, of course, Hemingway’s connection to Harry’s Bar that drew me to the book, and I was delighted to see how prominently his 1949-50 Venice trip figures into Cipriani's recollections. Hemingway was working on Across the River and into the Trees (ARIT) that winter and, Cipriani recalls, “divided his time between Harry’s Bar in Venice and the island of Torcello in the lagoon, where my father owned a small guesthouse” (58). I had forgotten that detail, which provides context for repeated asides about the island in ARIT. Cipriani shares dishy anecdotes about Orson Welles, Truman Capote, Aristotle Onassis, and other mid-century A-listers, but EH seems dear to him. Here’s another memory: “All that winter, while Hemingway appeared to spend the day in total freedom, he was in fact implacably rigorous and precise about his work. Every evening at ten, with extremely rare exceptions, he closed up shop and went to his apartment to write. He would order six bottles of a Verona wine, Amarone, which lasted the night. In the morning we would find the empties” (62). Impressive.
The first chapter tells Cipriani’s father’s story in the founder’s own words, and it’s stirring. It could be inspirational treacle, but Giuseppe Cipriani is a born raconteur who leavens irony with good natured humor. Thereafter, the younger Cipriani’s personal recollections fill most of the book: growing up under Fascism, dipping a toe into the family business after the war, stepping into his father’s shoes, and becoming the patriarch of Cipriani S.A. The remaining quarter-or-so of the book comprises sundry notes on the family business, from how regular customers should be addressed to advice on selecting tableware and furniture, from catty critiques of culinary trends to settling scores with former business partners, and so on. Dominating the latter chapters, these passages and are by turns fascinating and tedious. Nevertheless, even Cipriani’s drier monologues are sprinkled with tasty fodder for cocktail party chatter. One learns, for example, how come Harry’s Bar is so difficult to find, why the martinis there are served in squat tumblers, how carpaccio got its name, what goes into an authentic Bellini, etc. But the final chapter is one course too many, and it may be skipped without regret.
It was, of course, Hemingway’s connection to Harry’s Bar that drew me to the book, and I was delighted to see how prominently his 1949-50 Venice trip figures into Cipriani's recollections. Hemingway was working on Across the River and into the Trees (ARIT) that winter and, Cipriani recalls, “divided his time between Harry’s Bar in Venice and the island of Torcello in the lagoon, where my father owned a small guesthouse” (58). I had forgotten that detail, which provides context for repeated asides about the island in ARIT. Cipriani shares dishy anecdotes about Orson Welles, Truman Capote, Aristotle Onassis, and other mid-century A-listers, but EH seems dear to him. Here’s another memory: “All that winter, while Hemingway appeared to spend the day in total freedom, he was in fact implacably rigorous and precise about his work. Every evening at ten, with extremely rare exceptions, he closed up shop and went to his apartment to write. He would order six bottles of a Verona wine, Amarone, which lasted the night. In the morning we would find the empties” (62). Impressive.
The first chapter tells Cipriani’s father’s story in the founder’s own words, and it’s stirring. It could be inspirational treacle, but Giuseppe Cipriani is a born raconteur who leavens irony with good natured humor. Thereafter, the younger Cipriani’s personal recollections fill most of the book: growing up under Fascism, dipping a toe into the family business after the war, stepping into his father’s shoes, and becoming the patriarch of Cipriani S.A. The remaining quarter-or-so of the book comprises sundry notes on the family business, from how regular customers should be addressed to advice on selecting tableware and furniture, from catty critiques of culinary trends to settling scores with former business partners, and so on. Dominating the latter chapters, these passages and are by turns fascinating and tedious. Nevertheless, even Cipriani’s drier monologues are sprinkled with tasty fodder for cocktail party chatter. One learns, for example, how come Harry’s Bar is so difficult to find, why the martinis there are served in squat tumblers, how carpaccio got its name, what goes into an authentic Bellini, etc. But the final chapter is one course too many, and it may be skipped without regret.
January 4, 2023
I enjoyed this short book about the history of this landmark institution and the endeavors to expand a good thing into franchising and other locations. Sometimes a good thing is better left to the original place and people for which it was made a success and not try to make it more. Restaurants are hard anyway.
The historical name dropping was fun to hear. The mispronunciation and anglification of French words hurt my ears. The American narrator needs to not pronounce "Lyon" as "lion" and etc.
The historical name dropping was fun to hear. The mispronunciation and anglification of French words hurt my ears. The American narrator needs to not pronounce "Lyon" as "lion" and etc.
December 3, 2022
A nice collection of stories about the patrons who frequented the bar, from the strange to the wealthy to the famous. I was not familiar with Harry’s Bar prior to reading. If I find myself in that area, I will stop and make a visit.
August 5, 2025
Hard to get through.
June 30, 2026
Audiobook
January 31, 2015
Absolutely superb, makes me rethink some of the 5 stars that I've given. Every restaurateur should read this book. Every Hemingway fan should read this book. Everyone and anyone thinking about getting into their own business should read this book. And lastly, for a slice of history told candidly and crisply, get this book.
This was one of those very rare occasions where I was expecting so much - and - had my expectations met starting all the way from page one. Thank you Cipriani!
Rudolf J Waldner
The Corporate Jungle: Animal Personalities Colliding with Job Titles
Marketing from the Trenches: Your Guide to Retail Success
This was one of those very rare occasions where I was expecting so much - and - had my expectations met starting all the way from page one. Thank you Cipriani!
Rudolf J Waldner
The Corporate Jungle: Animal Personalities Colliding with Job Titles
Marketing from the Trenches: Your Guide to Retail Success
May 30, 2015
There was really little substance to this book. It was just a book about random days in a bar, and most of them involved someone famous, wealthy, or nobility. They didn't really have to be interesting - just "famous". It didn't help that the writer was very obviously NOT a writer because none of the scenes or stories had any depth or interest to them. It read more like a conversation from a normal, mostly boring person that happened to be born to a father that started a famous bar.
I suppose I should have been prepared for this book to not be very good for me, but I went ahead anyway because I had a copy of it. Crappy one to start my reading for the trip in September, but at least I know it's only going to get better I hope.
I suppose I should have been prepared for this book to not be very good for me, but I went ahead anyway because I had a copy of it. Crappy one to start my reading for the trip in September, but at least I know it's only going to get better I hope.
March 3, 2018
One man's view of WWII from the inside: Fascist Italy, its fierce dominion and its aftermath of refreshing freedom. An educating read, with a script of memorable historical characters woven throughout - especially litterary and titled, the former among names a reader should know. I was particularly imperessed by Mr. Cipriani's skill with adjectives and metaphors, English being a second language for him. As his title promises, the history of his bar in Venice (and New York), runs like a thread through highlights of the twentiteth century. An enjoyable narrative, spiced with incomparable wit.
November 14, 2014
Truly a must read for any fan of good food and drink. Arrigio Cipriani writes of notorious customers to the famed bar in Venice to his philosophy on running a restaurant that serves quality to customers without pompous snobbery. While opinionated at times (he doesn't deem in necessary to honor reservations) and a bit outdated, I do believe he is a predictor of today's food movement. Pour yourself a Bellini, or something stronger, and dive into this entertaining read.
November 19, 2012
A fun and enjoyable read. I had a drink in Harry's Bar a few years ago, and it was interesting to hear the story of the place from the POV of the family. Cipriani includes some great chapters on his philosophies surrounding food and hospitality. There are some fun Hemingway anecdotes in the books also.
September 7, 2021
I really enjoyed listening about the history of Harry’s Bar, which I enjoyed visiting with my friend Sharon while exploring Venice. The ending was painful to get through and I’m not really sure how it goes into the story. Maybe it’s better when read in print, but it was hard to understand the back and forth in the audiobook.
January 7, 2023
I bought the book because I was so enamored by Harry’s Bar in Venice. I expected a book chock full of celebrity secrets but instead got a feel good read about family, tenacity, and hard work.
Sure there are grammatical errors but I believe this book was translated and therefore reflect what was lost in translation.
Sure there are grammatical errors but I believe this book was translated and therefore reflect what was lost in translation.
April 3, 2023
Having visited Harry's Bar in Venice in 2010, I was excited to read about its history. I really enjoyed the first part of the book from the author's father's perspective who founded the bar. Some of the stories following about who dined there were somewhat interesting. The later part of the book sadly was painful to listen to and I kept skipping ahead.
January 11, 2015
The Life and Times of the Legendary Vencie LandmarkReading this simple book evoked warm memories and deep feelings for this restaurant that has graciously seved both royaltiy, world renowned writers, and humble me.
July 28, 2022
Minimally interesting and wouldn’t have been so if I hadn’t been there. Written by the proprietor so very slanted as to how wonderful everything he has done. Mentions people that have been there which was interesting especially Hemingway.
August 5, 2009
Hemingway hung out at this bar in Venice, but I bet they didn't charge him 18 Euros for a teenie bellini. I liked the bar better than the book, but both were a ripoff.
June 16, 2010
Very charming, entertaining book about the history of the famous Harry's Bar in Venice.
March 23, 2012
Really enjoyable read by Cipriani, the owner of Harry's Bar in Venice (and the subsequent versions of the bar in New York City).
December 4, 2012
This World famous establishment is on my bucket list but if you can't get there, this book is the next best thing.
May 1, 2021
Missed something the first time. Hemingway died in 1961 not 1963. That wrong date rubbed me wrong as an unpaid Hemingway scholar (my personal joke).
May 31, 2021
Journey of an iconic business that spans two generations.
January 19, 2022
Es difícil disfrutar un libro de alguien que se queja cada que puede de los críticos y comensales y después dice que no le importa
2.6/5
2.6/5
September 11, 2022
4.25 stars
December 3, 2022
This book needs a better editor but it is an interesting little piece of history.
November 12, 2023
quick and interesting
July 15, 2024
Interesting read ahead of visiting Venice
May 26, 2025
This just wasn’t quite for me. It’s short, but I had a hard time sticking with it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews