Harry's Bar, Venice

The most famous bar in Italy and one of the most famous in the world, Harry's was opened in 1931 by Giuseppe Cipriani. While part of its notoriety derives from Giuseppe's invention of the Bellini here, notable patrons such as Ernest Hemingway have also contributed to its fame.

The bar inhabits a small, fairly plain room with tightly packed tables. The few bar stools in front of the grey, marble topped bar are quickly snapped up. At mealtimes, the tables here and also in the restaurant upstairs are reserved for diners. Eating is expensive, but the food is good and sitting at a table is essential to really appreciate this crowded little bar and watch the diverse crowd it attracts.

Although expensive, a Harry's Bellini is part of the Venetian experience. Sadly, other cocktails are not so memorable. This bar's hype and size are so disparate that you're bound to be disappointed when you visit, but visit you must.