Harry's Bar and American Grill

An Unofficial History of Harry's Bar and American Grill

1911
Harry's New York Bar opens in Paris. This date is logged for historical reference.

1930
Harry Pickering, an American heir, meets Giuseppe Cipriani, barman at the Hotel Europa Bar in Venice. Pickering's funds run out and Cipriani lends him money to return to the States.

1931
Pickering returns to Venice to repay Cipriani and, with a replenishment nest egg, suggest they open a bar together.

1931
Harry's Bar opens in Venice. Cipriani names it in Pickering's honor. Cipriani manages it. Pickering is a silent partner.

1932
Arrigo Cipriani, Guiseppe's son, is born and named after the bar. "Arrigo" is the closest thing to "Harry" in Italian

1935
On one single day, unbeknownst to any of them, lunch is served at Harry's in Venice to King Alfonso XIII of Spain, Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, King Paul of Greece, and King Peter of Yugoslavia.

1948
Hemingway meets Cipriani when he spends the winter at his hotel, Locanda at Torcello, writing Across the River and into the Trees, mentioning Harry's.

1948
Harry's popular specialty drink of peach juice and champagne is christened the Bellini because Bellini's centennial exhibition is in Venice.

1948
Pickering dies in Monte Carlo.

1952
Enrico Mariotti begins construction of Boston Bar in Florence.

1953
Mariotti travels to Venice for a barman's convention where his friend, Cipriani, convinces him to use the name Harry's Bar instead of Boston Bar.

1953
Harry's Bar opens in Florence in Via di Parione 50 Russo.

1954
Herb Caen visits Harry's Bar in Florence and writes in the San Francisco Chronicle, "Harry's has a small menu in English, and the food is excellent."

1964
Mariotti moves Harry's to its present location, Lungarno Vecpucci, 22R, between the Excelsior Hotel and the Ponte Vecchio.

1972
Harry's Bar and American Grill opens in the ABC Entertainment Center in Los Angeles's Century City. Mariotti, his wife, and two sons, his chef, and his barman, Leo Vadorini, are there.

1974
Mariotti dies in Florence. His son assumes management of Harry's

1976
Valdorini is named Manager's of Harry's in Florence.

1978
The First International Imitation Hemingway Competition is held at Harry's Bar in Los Angeles. The contest draw 784 entries and is won by Patricia Traxler. Winning prize: dinner for two at Harry's Bar in Florence.

1980
Giuseppe Cipriani dies. His son, Arrigo, is running Harry's Bar in Venice.

2000
International Hemingway contest returns. Malibu resident and Harry's regular, Ken Bash, wins, and coincidentially appears on the spot for the announcement. Winning prize: dinner for two at Harry's Bar in Venice.

2001
Harry's Bar opens in La Jolla, CA

2008
Grand Reopening of Harry's Bar in La Jolla under new owner, Daniel Miller.

1911	Harry's New York Bar opens in Paris. This date is logged for historical reference.
1930	Harry Pickering, an American heir, meets Giuseppe Cipriani, barman at the Hotel Europa Bar in Venice. Pickering's funds run out and Cipriani lends him money to return to the States.
1931	Pickering returns to Venice to repay Cipriani and, with a replenishment nest egg, suggest they open a bar together.
1931	Harry's Bar opens in Venice. Cipriani names it in Pickering's honor. Cipriani manages it. Pickering is a silent partner.
1932	Arrigo Cipriani, Guiseppe's son, is born and named after the bar. "Arrigo" is the closest thing to "Harry" in Italian
1935	On one single day, unbeknownst to any of them, lunch is served at Harry's in Venice to King Alfonso XIII of Spain, Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, King Paul of Greece, and King Peter of Yugoslavia.
1948	Hemingway meets Cipriani when he spends the winter at his hotel, Locanda at Torcello, writing Across the River and into the Trees, mentioning Harry's.
1948	Harry's popular specialty drink of peach juice and champagne is christened the Bellini because Bellini's centennial exhibition is in Venice.
1948	Pickering dies in Monte Carlo.
1952	Enrico Mariotti begins construction of Boston Bar in Florence.
1953	Mariotti travels to Venice for a barman's convention where his friend, Cipriani, convinces him to use the name Harry's Bar instead of Boston Bar.
1953	Harry's Bar opens in Florence in Via di Parione 50 Russo.
1954	Herb Caen visits Harry's Bar in Florence and writes in the San Francisco Chronicle, "Harry's has a small menu in English, and the food is excellent."
1964	Mariotti moves Harry's to its present location, Lungarno Vecpucci, 22R, between the Excelsior Hotel and the Ponte Vecchio.
1972	Harry's Bar and American Grill opens in the ABC Entertainment Center in Los Angeles's Century City. Mariotti, his wife, and two sons, his chef, and his barman, Leo Vadorini, are there.
1974	Mariotti dies in Florence. His son assumes management of Harry's
1976	Valdorini is named Manager's of Harry's in Florence.
1978	The First International Imitation Hemingway Competition is held at Harry's Bar in Los Angeles. The contest draw 784 entries and is won by Patricia Traxler. Winning prize: dinner for two at Harry's Bar in Florence.
1980	Giuseppe Cipriani dies. His son, Arrigo, is running Harry's Bar in Venice.
2000	International Hemingway contest returns. Malibu resident and Harry's regular, Ken Bash, wins, and coincidentially appears on the spot for the announcement. Winning prize: dinner for two at Harry's Bar in Venice.
2001	Harry's Bar opens in La Jolla, CA
2008	Grand Reopening of Harry's Bar in La Jolla under new owner, Daniel Miller.