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Library Bar

4.0 (50 reviews)
InexpensiveDive Bars
Closed 5:00 pm - 2:30 am (Next day)
Updated 2 months ago

Library Bar Photos

Business Info

LIBRARY BAR ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Juke Box
Hipster
Divey
Casual

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Recommended Reviews - Library Bar

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Specials
Adam G.

This bar has a cozy feel, both on the main level and the downstairs area. They have a small patio out back. The inside was pretty clean and the bartenders were attentive. Drink prices were reasonable. Looks like they have some good weekday specials and events including trivia on Monday, karaoke on Wednesday, mug night on Thursday and live music on Friday. Would definitely come back here!

KISS And Walking Dead Pinball Fuck Yeah
Steve A.

The Library Bar is the best dive bar on campus. It has cheap drinks, fun games, and the best place to chill. This place has been here forever and it's fun simply reading the carvings on the booths and walls. It has real cheap beer even if not happy hour. The pinball machines are also cool to fuck around with. I always have a good experience here. The drinks are cheap and they're good. It has the basics like Bud, Miller, and PBR. The Long Island iced teas are small but stiff. Wednesday after 9 is mug night. It's $2.50 for a full mug and $1.75 each refill. The happy hour prices are $1 house liquor, and beers are $2.75 a pint. I like the old wood interior. It adds to the bar's old beaten feel. There are years of carvings on the booths and walls. I sure enough have added my fair share. The basement is something else. It's a pretty nice place to relax and you can get away with smoking here. They also have some kickass games. The best were KISS and Walking Dead pinball machines and the foosball table. The jukebox used to be better. It has too much pop. They still play some great metal and rock. I make this a stop if I am around there. It has a lot of character and is a link to campus's past. This isn't trendy like other bars but you come here without caring what anyone thinks.

a bar with a clock behind a wire fence
Greg M.

Great little dive near the shoe on Lane & High next door to BW3. They have a Touchtunes juke box, so I can play Illinois Loyalty over and over and over again. Small but nice selection of beers on tap. Miller Lite pitcher for $7.50. Even Kevin can soak up the suds! Also ran into some fellow Illini here. And, ran into my first guy that wanted to engage me in conversation because of my Illinoise shirt. I asked him if he knew which of the twin states I came from...

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3 months ago

Good food and cool setting! The servers are nice and welcoming and service is always great!

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9 months ago

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4 years ago

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2 years ago

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5 years ago

Great bar. Good for all crowds, young and old. Drinks are fair priced and fairly made as well- bit watered down. Woukd recommend!

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10 years ago

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8 years ago

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18 years ago

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12 years ago

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18 years ago

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12 years ago

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9 years ago

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16 years ago

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7 years ago

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7 years ago

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11 years ago

Divey, can get crowded, generally filled with salt of the earth people.

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14 years ago

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15 years ago

The reviewer before me has summed it up better than I can improve upon! A real campus classic dive bar.

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7 years ago

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Review Highlights - Library Bar

there is a little lot in the back off of Norwich, you can search for street parking, or you can take a chance on Curl Drive at Ohio State.

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Mickey's - It'll get busy later

Mickey's

(50 reviews)

$

This place is a fantastic dive bar! They don't serve food but I had amazing first experience…read morethere! Everyone was welcoming & friendly. Their karaoke nights are the bomb! Check it out for a great time!

I've driven by this little dive bar numerous times and I'll be honest, I've never even noticed it…read more Not even for a hot second. While it may be right off 5th avenue, it doesn't necessarily stand out. However, a few friends of mine pointed it out to me and insisted that we go for karaoke night. I thought sure, why not? When I walked in I was surprised at how spacious it was. I was even more surprised by how many people were packed in there. This place was poppin! I got a cider at the bar, which was on par with how much I normally pay for it, and I took a front row seat so I could watch my friends take the stage. The folks organizing the karaoke were obviously professionals. It all went very smoothly. Bravo! While I was there for roughly two hours, I never really made contact with the staff except when I got my one drink. Therefore, I can't really speak to how they are customer service wise. I can say that the restrooms were literally falling a part. This is somewhat expected in a dive bar but there was line for the ladies room because only 1 of the doors would close to the stalls inside. This is the every day pain of a woman going to a bar and needing to pee. Sigh* Anyways, I wouldn't be surprised if I end up here again in the future. However, I can't say that I'll be rushing to get there. I did love how diverse the crowd was though. It was really fun seeing which songs people would sing.

Library Bar - divebars - Updated May 2026

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