While perusing La Crosse early one Saturday morning, we put our name on the waiting list at a…read morehighly rated nearby establishment. Since we had almost an hour to kill, we decided to take a little walk, and in so doing discovered The Helm. What a find! Saturday morning is Kartoon Klub: a continuous stream of classic Warner Brothers (and only Warner Brothers) cartoons unspool for your enjoyment. Bite it, Hanna Barbara! Feeling a bit peckish while enjoying The Complete Works of Chuck Jones? Check out the progressively priced Bloody Marys (tasty, strong and starting at $0.75 each) and the fresh, hot breakfast pizza ($2/slice or $10/pie). Let your friendly bartender take care of all the details. We're probably 86'd from that other place for failing to return to claim our table. Who cares? Kartoon Klub rules!

Cheap drinks but seemed like little or no alcohol. Bartender, big bald guy, never left behind the…read morebar, wearing sweats, basically yelled at me whiskey or brandy when I forgot to say which I wanted in old fashion. Settle down, it's not a test. Not a great welcome for a new customer to ur establishment. Came back later that night when some ladies were bartending, much better service and drinks. So I guess it depends on who's working whether I'd go back or not.

The Library. Wow what a fantastic bar! My absolute favorite bar in La Crosse. Nestled discreetly…read moreamong the bustling streets, Library Bar stands as a beacon of sophistication and charm in the heart of the city. Stepping through its unassuming entrance, guests are transported into a realm where the art of mixology intertwines seamlessly with the ambiance of a bygone era. The bar itself is a focal point, boasting an impressive array of spirits lining its shelves like prized literary volumes. Behind it, skilled bartenders craft cocktails with precision and flair, each drink a work of art in its own right. A bar with a bastion of elegance and refinement, not only prides itself on its impeccable cocktails and inviting ambiance but also on its unwavering commitment to responsibility. At the heart of this commitment lies Library Bar's zero under-ager policy, a testament to its dedication to maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for all patrons. And don't even get me started with bartender Tristan. To my glorious king Tristan, In the enchanting realm of libations, where cocktails reign supreme and creativity flows like a river of spirits, there exists a maestro whose mastery knows no bounds. Enter Tristan, the illustrious bartender of Library Bar, whose presence behind the bar transforms an ordinary evening into an extraordinary adventure. From the moment Tristan graces the stage, his magnetic charisma captivates all who are fortunate enough to behold his craft. With a twinkle in his eye and a flourish of his hand, he orchestrates a symphony of flavors, each cocktail a testament to his boundless imagination and unparalleled skill. Tristan is not merely a bartender; he is a virtuoso, a maestro of mixology whose creations transcend the ordinary and elevate the senses to new heights. With a deep reverence for the art of cocktail making, he approaches each drink as a blank canvas, ready to be adorned with layers of flavor and nuance. But it is not just Tristan's technical prowess that sets him apart; it is his unwavering passion and dedication to his craft that truly make him shine. Behind the bar, he is a whirlwind of activity, his movements fluid and precise as he expertly measures, shakes, and stirs with the grace of a dancer. Yet, amidst the flurry of activity, Tristan never fails to exude an aura of calm and composure, his demeanor as regal as a king holding court. Behind his confident facade lies a humility and warmth that endears him to all who cross his path, transforming patrons into loyal subjects of his kingdom of cocktails. In the realm of libations, Tristan reigns supreme, his creations a testament to his boundless creativity and unwavering commitment to excellence. To sit at his bar is to embark on a journey of discovery, where each sip is a revelation and each cocktail a masterpiece crafted by the hand of my glorious king of mixology. Long may he reign From timeless classics to inventive creations, the menu offers something to suit every palate, ensuring that every visit to Library Bar is a journey of discovery. He truly is one of a kind. (Ana is cool too) Library Bar totally emerges as a haven of sophistication and responsibility, where the art of mixology meets a commitment to integrity. From its impeccable cocktails to its inviting ambiance, every aspect of Library Bar is crafted with care and precision. With a zero under-ager policy firmly in place, Library Bar demonstrates its dedication to maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for all patrons. Through its unwavering commitment to responsibility and excellence, Library Bar sets a standard of excellence within the hospitality industry, ensuring that every guest's experience is nothing short of exceptional. I find it extremely difficult to have a fun night in downtown La Crosse without stopping at the Library. For that reason, I give the bar a 5/5 star review!

Da hell did I run into? I thought the library had books. Instead, I found alcohol hahahaha. So I…read morestarted drinkin and blinkin, see that rhymes. It's a nice little bar to drink at, especially on the weekends when them folks get busy. The floor is a little sticky but I managed, make sure you use the bathroom BEFORE you go in, otherwise you ain't gonna make it, that line get's long. The drinks taste good until your drunk but hey, that's what it's all about. Good job Don.

Yesterday's can be a bit intimidating to enter for the first time. However, upon entrance, you're…read moregreeted with welcoming and skilled bartenders and an eccentric atmosphere. On top of that, they have one of the most expansive liquor selections in the area, specifically absinthe and tequila. Edit: I forgot about the little TVs hidden all over the bar, an extra plus.

The bartender rudely said she would need our ID's. Ridiculous since we're in our 60's We turned…read morearound and walked out.

Great hometown bar with friendly bartenders and reasonable prices. Karaoke was a little too loud…read morefor my liking, but that's what to expect at 11 p.m.

Quiet bar with friendly service, good pours and good music. Surprisingly sparse crowd both nights…read more I would expect a bigger crowd.

Cool family owned bar with a long history. Stopped in on a Tuesday afternoon, and the owner was…read morevery hospitable. He bought me a shot of makers 46 and told me a little bit about the place. If I'm ever in West Salem again I will definitely stop in.

Absolutely love this place! Very classy and very surprising they aren't busier than they are. It…read morewas fun having a drink and just hanging out. There is an older jukebox available to play music, and the sound in that place was really great. They were closed during the pandemic I believe, but now they are open again. A week after we visited there someone vandalized the back or side of the building with graffiti, which is unfortunate! It's a swank place, and I hope that more people realize just how much fun it is to be there. The seats seem kind of retro and has a lot of big wide curves to it. I hope that the musty smell can get cleared out somehow because that's a little overwhelming, but I think it's just from being closed up for so long. We will definitely be back! Bummed I didn't take pictures, but I'll definitely update with pictures when we go back!

This place rules! I got to go here and have an afternoon…read morebeer for a panel at the Midwest Music Fest! The bar is just amazing looking! Elements of retro classic-ness mixed with modern touches make it really unique and quite inviting to my eyes! Killer large booths, and one beautiful long bar makes the bar the place to be. Go through a door and the next thing you know you are in a beautiful theater.. This is the perfect place to hang out and see a band play! I had a brew from the great selection and the bartender was super nice and told us about the place! Sounds like it might only be open for shows and weekends but If I lived here I I would come to hang out all the time! This is a cool bar amongst the coolest bars I have ever been in and I was here at 4 in the afternoon! I bet it gets really awesome at 10pm!

Met this girl @ Shifty's what was mesmerized by Outlaw Whitey Wayne…read moreand the 78s. 78s is a reference to those old LP-sized early records th't played @ 100 mph, and was always scratchy soundin' She tole me 3 soongs ah needed ta hear to evaluate Whitey & his band: Bad News, If It Ain't Broke, keep usin' it, & Hold her if she tries to step on your pedal steel. Oh, and I'm on Fire, the hook of the tune, but the first line 'a the song closely aped a 50s-60's rocker lyric "Pretty little girl with the hah school sweater, skip that buoy, yew kin do better" with a melody that stole from "Way down yonder in the injun nation. savages rage at the indignation, of havin' to live on the reservation!" It was all ah could do ta keep from cryin' as the beertender called bar time. Friend of mine wrote the perfect closin' to a country & western soong evenin' in the tavern, and sent it to me. I wrote back an tole him it weren't good 'nuf cuz it din't say nothin' bout gittin' drunk, sawin' the bar in half with a chainsaw, or Mama's 2 year stretch in the pen. At that point me'n the girl settled on a soong ta end the evenin' an it goes lak this: Then one day a movie scout Came to town to take her out (Jordanaires: Came to town to take her out) Hollywood could offer more So she left the boy next door who worked at the candy store (Jordanaires: Dream on, dream on teenage queen see you on the movie screen) Very soon she was a star Pretty house and shiny car Swimmin' pool and a fence around But she missed her old home town (Jordanaires: But she missed her old home town) All the world was at her door All except the boy next door who worked at the candy store (Jordanaires: Dream on, dream on teenage queen saddest girl we've ever seen) Then one day the teenage star Sold her house and all her cars Gave up all her wealth and fame Left it all and caught a train (Jordanaires: Left it all and caught a train) Do I have to tell you more She came back to the boy next door who worked at the candy store (Now this story has a moral, you'll hear it all at the candy store) After that, ah realized, we din't tell 'un another r names nohow. You don't have to call me darlin, darling, we never even called one another by name.

The bartender, who is the owner's daughter, rejects songs that customers have queued up on the…read morejukebox. The bartender also queues up songs on the jukebox, using the "jump ahead" feature, skipping ahead of customers' songs.

Just moved to the are and the people here made me feel right at home. Friendly service. Outstanding…read moreplace to see music. There is something special about having a few in the middle of no where.

Hard to get served. If your designated driver then they don't care about you. And if they don't…read moreserve you right away that's a hint they want you to leave.