A fun way to get into the spirit of a city is to hit its bars. The British newspaper The Telegraph recently published a list of “Amazing bars to drink at before you die”.
The list includes three Italian bars, in Milan, Venice and Rome. Here they are:
-Harry’s Bar, Venice
Harry's Bar was opened in 1931 by bartender Giuseppe Cipriani and was declared a national landmark by the Italian Ministry for Cultural Affairs in 2001. It has long been frequented by writers, artists, celebrities and wealthy patrons, including Ernest Hemingway, conductor Arturo Toscanini, inventor Guglielmo Marconi, Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock, Truman Capote, Orson Welles, Baron Philippe de Rothschild, Princess Aspasia of Greece, Aristotle Onassis, Peggy Guggenheim, and Woody Allen. According to The Telegraph, “There is only one drink to have - the Bellini, which the bar's founder Giuseppe Cipriani invented in the thirties or forties. Legend has it that its pretty pink color reminded him of the toga of a saint in a painting by the artist Giovanni Bellini.” The Bellini is one part white peach purée to three parts Prosecco.
Address: Calle Vallaresso, 1323.
-Nottingham Forest, Milan
Since 2008, Nottingham Forest has been part of the prestigious “World’s 50 Best Bars” list, while the magazine Food&Wine included it among the seven best bars in the world. According to The Telegraph, “Nottingham Forest is at the forefront of Milan mixology, constantly pushing the art of cocktail making to offer up innovative, unique drinks.” The tiny place is decorated with bar paraphernalia from around the world.
Address: Viale Piave, 1.
-The Jerry Thomas Project, Rome
Like the Nottingham Forest, the Jerry Thomas Project has also made the “World’s 50 Best Bars” list. To access the “speakeasy”, you will need to answer the question posted on the website, which changes every two weeks. The red-walled space is filled with elegant cream sofas, a piano in the corner and a well-stocked back-bar. The Telegraph describes it this way: “Another classic speakeasy style bar, the Jerry Thomas Project is a homage to 1862's 'How to Mix Drinks' by Jerry Thomas - one of the very first books dedicated to cocktails. With a menu that changes twice a year, the team specialise in 'classic pre-Prohibition drinks with an Italian touch'.”
Address: Vicolo Cellini, 30.
Have you tried any of these bars?
