In Rome, there’s a door that guards the ritual of the capital’s most glamorous night. Jackie O’, a stage in Italy’s high-society history, continues the legend today under the motto “Dolce Vita is still alive” thanks to the dedication of its founder’s family.

Jackie O’ opened inside the old Teatro San Carlino on Via Boncompagni, just steps from Via Veneto, thanks to the intuition of Gilberto Iannozzi, who learned of its impending sale. It was 1972, and Gilberto, already a household name in the restaurant and entertainment industry, decided to create something that hadn’t yet existed in Rome.

The Jackie O’ was a church, a confessional. And I stood outside the club waiting, because I knew that the truth of the Roman night was all there. (Rino Barillari)

The Story of a Legend

And what better way to delve into the legend of Jackie O’s than a chat with Rino Barillari, nicknamed “The King of Paparazzi?” Rino tells us that, between the 1960s and 1970s, Rome was in full swing: it was the era of the Marshall Plan, which brought a lot of money to Italy, the economic boom, and Hollywood stars flocking to our country to film at Cinecittà. Gilberto had the vision to create an exclusive and chic venue that combined high-end dining with the entertainment of a nightclub, where he could hide from the prying eyes of the rest of the world and the paparazzi.

The myth of the “paparazzo” was born in those very years, as a better-paid “evolution” of the “scattini” (little shooters), the street photographers who sold portraits to tourists, and it would grow hand in hand with that of Jackie O’ thanks to the legendary stakeouts outside its doors and the newspaper covers earned through scandals and clandestine love affairs.

The Nights of Rino Barillari

One of the protagonists of this Italy was none other than Rino Barillari, a photographer with an exemplary perseverance that cost him 11 broken ribs and 76 crashed cars. He came to Rome at just 14 years old to “escape” a hopeless Calabria. Rino began as a “snapshot” photographer near the Trevi Fountain, then realized that selling photos of the famous people who frequented Rome to publishers could be a more profitable source of income.

Rino tells us how the name Jackie O’ was suggested by Gil Cagnè, who later became a famous film makeup artist and was the PR man for Iannozzi’s clubs. It was a tribute to the absolute icon of the era: Jackie Onassis, because “when you choose the name of a club, you have to choose a legend, not a word.“

Everyone frequented Jackie O’s, as the photographic Hall of Fame still adorns the walls today tells: from Alain Delon to Mick Jagger, from Andy Warhol to Margaret of England, from Audrey Hepburn to Marcello Mastroianni. It was the Italian actor himself who saw Rino inside the club one evening and smiled at him, saying the famous line: “In this place, it’s either me or you! You leave.“

There are so many anecdotes and gossip to tell: the Roman loves of English princesses, the actors and directors who jumped on the tables singing, or the starlets who later became famous who poured rivers of champagne onto the club’s floors. But Rino Barillari’s eyes light up only when he describes the pride of having witnessed the years when the whole world fell in love with Italy and of having photographed the true beauty that is a blend of truth, charm, and a hunger for life, so rare today. And when asked who are the most glamorous stars he has met, he first mentions actresses Audrey Hepburn, Ava Gardner and Virna Lisi.

The iconic décor of nightclubs around the world

The original décor that gave rise to the legend of Jackie O’ bears the signature of two extraordinary and visionary set designers and hosts of the Italian social scene: Sandro Petti and Geppy Mariani. It was their creative genius that transformed the spaces of the old Teatro San Carlino into a temple of exclusivity, conceiving a bold, theatrical design imbued with the decadent and magnetic glamour typical of the 1970s.

Enveloping sofas, strategic mirrors, and a clever use of soft lighting were designed to ensure the perfect balance between high-society exhibitionism and absolute privacy, laying the aesthetic foundation for those legendary nights that would redefine the style of Rome’s Dolce Vita.

Jackie O’s New Dolce Vita

Today, ownership and management of the venue are still firmly in the hands of Veronica Iannozzi, daughter of founder Gilberto Iannozzi, who continues the business alongside her mother, Beatrice Iannozzi.

Thanks to their love for Jackie O’s history, the interiors were recently renovated by the renowned architect Fabrizia Frezza, who preserved the sophisticated atmosphere of the 1970s with a contemporary twist.

The spectacular cuisine: flambé and icons from the ’70s and ’80s

Today, as in the past, the Jackie O’ restaurant embodies culinary excellence under the guidance of chef Federico Sparaco. Here, the true luxury is time: indulging in a dinner where the great classics of the ’70s and ’80s take center stage with a nostalgic and theatrical grace, coordinated by maître d’ Gianni Caddeu.

The wine cellar, curated by sommelier Manuel Pompili, boasts over 600 labels. A journey through the great Italian terroirs and international rarities from Champagne, Bordeaux, and Burgundy. The restaurant’s Wine Club periodically offers exclusive events for enthusiasts. To complement the evening, the drinks list designed by bar manager Carlo Borruso.

Piano Bar and Club Culture

After dinner, Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:00 PM onward, the magic ignites at Jackie O’ with the legendary Piano Bar, featuring classic Italian and international music. From midnight, the energy shifts to the Disco, with guest and resident DJs ready to get Rome dancing until dawn.

Whether for a night out or a special party, Jackie O’ continues to offer the thrill of a night to remember.

The Secret

Barillari says photographers were forbidden to take photos inside the club (it was a no-go zone, a safe haven for stars), but there was an unwritten code: if something truly sensational happened inside, a discreet tip-off would arrive, alerting the paparazzi to be ready on the sidewalk for the exit. Then, as now, the myth was built through the media and a clever contrast between light and shadow (authentic, fake appearances may work on the big screen but not on the “streets” of life).

Useful Info

Jackie O’
Via Boncompagni 11
00187 Roma
Tel. +39 06 42885457

Average Dinner Price: €100 per person (drinks not included)
Club Entrance (Friday and Saturday): €50 with drink included. Private Club tables available upon request