While private clubs have long shaped the fabric of elite social life, there’s one name that retains its status as the most impressive of them all.
From the historic Harry’s Bar in Venice to its collection of world-famous restaurants, the Cipriani family is the name behind some of the industry’s most exclusive haunts. In recent years, the high-end Italian hospitality group has dived into the rarified waters of the private club scene, with its inaugural two establishments attracting some of the world’s most affluent and influential members.
First up came Casa Cipriani New York, opening its doors in 2021 at the iconic Battery Maritime Building, one of the last remaining Beaux-Arts-style ferry terminals of the 20th century. Modelling itself on the first days of Harry’s Bar in Venice, where people from all walks of life would gather to sip bellinis and share stories, renowned architect and designer Thierry Despont restored the space and curated the interiors, which include walls lined with Loro Piana cashmere.
With Brooklyn Bridge vistas, in-house restaurant, plush bar, cryotherapy chamber, wellness centre and an old-school jazz club—not to mention a picturesque terrace with views of the East River and Statue of Liberty that’s a sublime spot to enjoy a sundowner or four—the venue manages to maintain exclusivity through high membership prices, a no-photos policy, an extensive waitlist and a strict dress code, which is something of a rarity in NYC.
In addition to its restaurants and lounges, Casa Cipriani also houses 47 guest rooms and suites which come outfitted in lacquered mahogany, custom Italian furnishings and maritime-inspired accessories, with guests being the only people allowed to enjoy the many facilities outside of club members.
Riding high on the success of its debut club, the Cipriani Group went on to open Casa Cipriani Milano in September 2022, marrying Milanese design with the old-world feel of an English gentlemen’s club, complete with Art Deco-inspired walnut wood panelling.
Nestled in the former Palazzo Bernasconi and framing the Indro Montanelli Gardens, Milan’s oldest park, it serves up the same five-star amenities as its American sibling, including a discreet lounge, two restaurants, a pool and a spa, as well as 15 luxuriously designed hotel rooms, reached by an elevator which features its own velvet-cushioned mini sofa, should you need to rest your legs while transitioning between floors.
More than just a meeting place and drinking den, Casa Cipriani also prides itself on its cultural offerings, particularly at its Italian outpost, where the Arte a Casa initiative bridges the gap between history and contemporary art through regular exhibitions and events. Its first edition back in May 2024 featured a collection of artworks by 29 national and international artists—presented by 25 Milanese galleries—which highlighted the impact and contributions of the galleries to the Milanese art scene.
We, for one, can’t wait to discover the next chapter in the Cipriani family story.
