International luxury restaurant and club operator based in Luxembourg
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Cipriani S.A. is a global Italian hospitality and lifestyle company known for its restaurants, landmarked event spaces, private clubs, residences, hotels and a line of food and drinks. With a legacy rooted in traditional Italian cuisine and a high standard of service, Cipriani has shaped global hospitality while spreading Venetian culture since opening in 1931.
The story of Cipriani S.A begins in Venice, with a gesture of generosity. In 1928, a young American named Harry Pickering was staying in Venice and was a patron of Hotel Europa, where Giuseppe Cipriani worked as a bartender. After facing financial difficulties, Pickering was forced to interrupt his stay. Moved by the young man’s situation, Cipriani lent him 10,000 liras so that he could go back to Boston. Two years later, Pickering returned to Venice and, in an act of gratitude, returned to Cipriani the amount with generous interest, suggesting that he open his own bar. Thus, on May 13, 1931, Harry's Bar was born, named in honor of the American who made his dream possible[1].
Beyond its celebrated clientele, Harry’s Bar is also credited with introducing two culinary icons to the world: the Bellini cocktail and Carpaccio. In 1948, Cipriani created the Bellini, a blend of Prosecco and white peach purée, naming it after Renaissance painter Giovanni Bellini due to its delicate pink hue[4]. Two years later, he invented Carpaccio, a dish of thinly sliced raw beef, for Countess Amalia Nani Mocenigo, who had been advised to avoid cooked meats. Inspired by the vivid red tones in the works of painter Vittore Carpaccio, Cipriani named the dish after him[5]. Carpaccio has since become a staple in Italian cuisine.
Recognized for its historical and cultural significance, Harry’s Bar was declared a national landmark by the Italian Ministry for Cultural Affairs in 2001[6]. But by then, the Cipriani name had already expanded far beyond Venice. In 1985, the Cipriani family introduced their brand to New York City with the opening of Harry Cipriani at the Sherry-Netherland Hotel on Fifth Avenue[7]. Designed as an exact replica of the original Venetian bar, it quickly became a popular among New Yorkers seeking an authentic Italian experience[8].
Encouraged by its success, Cipriani expanded further into New York, transforming several historic landmarks into premier dining and event venues. One of its most notable locations is Cipriani 42nd Street, housed in the former Bowery Savings Bank across from Grand Central Terminal. This venue features chandeliers, marble columns, and high vaulted ceilings; Cipriani 42nd Street is one of the largest event venues in Midtown NYC, capable of seating 800 guests.
Another major acquisition was Cipriani Wall Street, situated in a Greek Revival building that once housed the New York Merchants’ Exchange and the United States Customs House. The space now serves as a venue for high-profile events such as the Gotham Awards in 2024. Similarly, Cipriani 25 Broadway, located in the historic Cunard Steamship Line headquarters, features soaring marble columns and hand-painted frescoes as the backdrop for private events and celebrations.
Cipriani also established a more casual presence in New York with Cipriani Dolci, an eatery inside Grand Central Terminal. Catering to commuters and tourists, it offers classic Italian dishes with Cipriani’s signature hospitality. Casa Cipriani opened in 2021 in the historic Battery Maritime Building with a large events space, Cipriani South Street. The private members’ club, Casa Cipriani offers appointed rooms, exclusive dining areas, a spa, and waterfront views. It has become one of the most sought-after private clubs in the city[9].
Three generations of Cipriani family members lead the company's the growth: Arrigo, Giuseppe and his sons Ignazio and Maggio. The family has helmed a leading international hospitality brand, with locations around the world including Venice, Milan, New York, Miami, Mexico City, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Monte Carlo, Ibiza, Marbella, Riyadh, Las Vegas, Istanbul, Doha, Bahrain, Los Angeles and the upcoming Punta del Este, Uruguay, and Batumi, Georgia.
Notable Moments
In 1958, the elder Cipriani built the Hotel Cipriani in Venice. In 1967, Cipriani Sr. sold rights to the Cipriani name trademark.[10]
The family went international in 1985 under the Cipriani name when it opened Harry Cipriani in New York City in the Sherry-Netherland Hotel.[11] Within two years the family was evicted from the hotel and opened the Cipriani Bellini bar nearby.[12] Eventually they would return to the hotel.
In 1997, the Ciprianis bought 55 Wall Street, noted for its huge ornate former First National Bank lobby. They sold it in 1999 and bought the Bowery Savings Bank's 110 East 42nd Street building across from Grand Central, again noted for its huge ornate lobby.[13] 55 Wall Street Cipriani's, Grand Central Cipriani's and Cipriani Tribeca were designed by Anthony Morali of Morali Architects.[14]
In 1998, they leased the Rainbow Room, performed minor modification / major gutting of the 87' Rockefeller Restoration and fired the members of Local 6 of the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union which picketed it. The labor dispute was settled in 1999, resulting in a recall of the displaced Local 6 employees for 10 years until 2009, when Cipriani was evicted by the owner / operator Tishman Speyer.
In 2005, the company won the rights from the Hudson River Park board to develop Pier 57 into Leonardo's, a luxury complex that included a museum, catering hall, shops, restaurants, a rooftop pool and a public park.[15] Their principal competition was the Chelsea Piers, just north of Pier 57.[16] After winning the bid, Michael DiLeonardo, an associate of Peter Gotti, turned state's evidence against the accused mobster. In his testimony, DiLeonardo said that the Ciprianis had paid $120,000 to the Gambino crime family to make union problems at the Rainbow Room disappear.[17] The charges were never confirmed. However, the Ciprianis were unsuccessful in firing the union workers. The Ciprianis relinquished their rights to develop the pier after co-investors in the project withdrew.[11][18]
In April 2004, Cipriani opened in London. The site on Davies Street in Mayfair was co-founded and established by Fabrizio Cerina of the Swiss banking group Credit des Alpes, who also acted as strategic advisor to Cipriani in the sale and leaseback of the Saxony Hotel, Miami in 2009, one of the biggest ever property deals in Miami.[19]
In 2006, in partnership with attorney and real estate developer Steve Witkoff, Cipriani bought 55 Wall Street again.[13]
Arrigo and Giuseppe pleaded guilty in 2007 to misdemeanor tax evasion for defrauding $3.5 million in state and city taxes for six years beginning in 1998. They were placed on probation through 2011 and an independent auditor was assigned to monitor future payments.[11]
In December 2008, the High Court of England and Wales ruled that Orient-Express Hotels (which owns the Hotel Cipriani) owns the Cipriani trademark and that the use of "Cipriani" in the name of the London restaurant infringed its trademark rights.[10][20] The decision was upheld on appeal by the Court of Appeal on 24 February 2010, which ordered that the restaurant's name would have to be changed by 24 April 2010.[21] The new name of the restaurant is "C".[22]
In January 2009, the Ciprianis announced plans to close the Rainbow Room in a dispute with the owner of 30 Rock, Tishman Speyer Properties. Tishman in turn responded that it was evicting the Ciprianis from the Rainbow Room.[23]
In 2025, Cipriani is facing financial difficulties due to property developments in Uruguay and Dubai. French billionaire Xavier Niel provided a significant loan to support the company.[26]
↑ Cipriani, Arrigo (2011). Harry's Bar: The Life and Times of the Legendary Venice Landmark (2nded.). ebook: Skyhorse Publishing (published October 12, 2011). ISBN9781628721935.
↑ Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali. (2000, September 19). Ufficio Centrale per i Beni Architettonici Archeologici Artistici e Storici: Direttore Generale. Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali, Venice, Italy.
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