A celebrity ate here!  Have you ever noticed that, in the states at least, when a historic celebrity frequents a particular bar or restaurant, the bar or restaurant then decides to re-decorate in honor of said celebrity?  Usually in a very obnoxious, annoying type of way?

Well, thankfully, some spots have some appreciation for history.  Not only will you not see any Hemingway-themed cocktail napkins or chandeliers when you walk into Harry’s Bar in Venice, Italy, the bar has kept much of the same Art Deco look it had when Ernest came in for his regular Bellinis.  Only a single, small photograph of Hemingway hides away on the wall by the door.

Since 1931, Harry’s Bar has been a place where you can get away from it all.  Started by Giuseppe Cipriani after a n’er-do-well named Harry Pickering unexpectedly returned a loan of 10,000 Lira (plus an additional 30,000), this bar has served Venice locals as well as notable names like Orson Welles, Truman Capote and the Big Papa himself, Ernest Hemingway.

Though Harry’s is technically a bar, it has a European cafe feel and serves fairly decadent meals.  Once you walk through the doors, you’ll find it to be a cozy, welcoming place – you can understand why so many people talk fondly of it.

And then you see the prices.

Venice, by any standards, is not a cheap city.  But Harry’s takes it up to a whole ‘nother level.  Their famed Bellini runs at 15 Euros.  And if you want a glass of single malt Scotch?  You’re looking at 23 Euro.  Even a ginger ale is going to cost you a good 10 Euro.  Even if you stick to a single, you will probably pay at least 30 Euro for the pleasure of a meal.  Eating and drinking here ain’t cheap.

But if you love history and love literature, it might be worth it.  The food is good and the drinks are even better.  And after you indulge, Hemingway will offer you a warm smile as you leave Harry’s and wander back out into the hurly burly of Venice.

———-
Harry’s Bar
San Marco 1323
30124 Venice, Italy
Tel:  041.528.5777

———–

Photo courtesy of Kayt Sukel.

Arpaiu in Cinque Terre, Italy

Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre, Italy