Potts Point residents celebrate the life of Vittorio ‘Vito’ Bianchi, beloved owner of Piccolo bar

Mourners turned out in huge numbers to celebrate the memory of a cherished Sydney identity, who will be remembered as a man whose life was a ‘love letter’ to the inner city.

Vittorio Bianchi pictured in 2014, aged 79

Inner-city Sydneysiders turned out in droves to pay their respects and celebrate the life of a cherished local icon, who will be remembered as “the frontman, the keeper, and the last true king of the Cross”.

Wayside Chapel was a full house on Friday morning, with locals spilling out onto the street to fondly remember their beloved Vittorio Bianchi, a “shining star” who passed away last month at the age of 91.

The packed-out hall was regaled with tales of a man who was larger than life, known for his love of opera, cabaret, social commentary, postcards, razor-sharp wit, and for his immense generosity of spirit.

Following the morning’s memorial service was an afternoon of cabaret performances held by attendees to honour Vittorio’s love for music and theatre.

Vito, as he was known by most, ran the Darlinghurst hole-in-the-wall bar Piccolo Bar which he bought in 1994, after having worked there since the 1960s.

The packed out memorial service at Wayside Chapel on Friday

For decades, the tiny coffee shop on Roslyn St was the cornerstone of Sydney’s bustling bohemian scene, a bygone era long before the days of gentrification, lockout laws and NIMBYism.

At it’s height, Piccolo was open 24 hours a day, where it was a revolving door for everyone from punk rockers and politicians — all were welcome as long as they were respectful.

Vito, pictured in 2012, welcomed everyone into his coffee shop.

“No matter what you looked like or what condition you were in, you were welcome as long as you weren’t annoying,” one attendee said on Friday.

More than just being a destination for good times, for many Piccolo was a safe space where people could openly be themselves, emboldened by Vito’s own unapologetic authenticity.

As an openly gay man, from a traditional Italian family, Vito “lived his truth” and by doing so paved the ways for others. One speaker remembered: “‘I am who I am’, is what he’d say.”

In one tribute delivered on behalf of close friend Martin Rafaelle, Vito was described as “the keeper of the Cross with his protection”, to whom people were “drawn to like a magnet”.

Police visit Piccolo Bar in 2004.

“Every time he opened the door he became the main event, his presence the main feature. For Vito life was for living.

“He’d fit more into one day or one week than most people would fit in their lives.”

Another guest remarked on Vito’s loyalty, reminiscing “whether you were beaten up or had a debt collector looking for you, he wouldn’t turn you in. ‘I don’t know who comes in here’ was his phrase, if people were after you.”

“I think there must have been some sort of unspoken agreement with police, because there was only ever one raid for the entire time I remember.”

Speaking on behalf of the family, Vito’s niece Tina Newton-Cara described her Zio Vittorio as someone who lived “boldly, lovingly and with unwavering authenticity”.

“He always felt that family didn’t need to be blood and he found his chosen family at Piccolo Bar

“You were our movie star, you lit up every room you went into.”

Vito’s legacy lives on Piccolo Bar, which is open 7 nights a week at 6 Roslyn St, Kings Cross.