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    Library Bar

    3.9 (1.9k reviews)
    Open • 3:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 3 months ago

    Library Bar Photos

    LIBRARY BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Good for groups
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Library Bar

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    Shaneel R.

    This place is just so cute . Great drinks , nice small menu and good staff . I definitely recommend and will be back.

    French 75
    Navpreet K.

    We came here for their happy hour and all ended up just getting French 75's, which were very tasty! The bartender was nice and got us our drinks right away. This is a small bar that is attached to an actual library building, which was cool. It's very dark inside but it adds to the dark ambiance and gives a speakeasy vibe. I am looking forward to try their food items next time!

    Creative theme!
    Mark M.

    What a spot! We really liked the setting and theme of the whole place. The music was wonderful and the drinks were a hit! We even got to lounge deeper in the library and got a few sentences in with some of the books. The food menu looked great, but we just finished dinner at another spot, so this will be something to look forward to when coming back! I parked at a structure nearby, so everything, including this cozy speakeasy was walking distance. We are glad we came by here and loved the concept of it all!

    Cosmo for her, Old Fashioned for me!
    Greg T.

    The Library Bar offers a quality cocktail experience in downtown Los Angeles. It's address is on 6th, but the door actually faces Hope. The bartenders occasionally channel Tom Cruise in Cocktail- fun show when they do! The QR menu offers a range of literary minded specialty cocktails (Tequila Mockingbird anyone?), but the are happy to mix up anything you desire. Nice wine list an impressive list of draft and bottled beers, seltzers and ciders pretty muc covers every taste. Happy Hour 3p-7p weekdays, no cover DJ 10p to close Friday and Saturday. Way past my bedtime!

    Books! (And a half drank gin gimlet)
    Denise H.

    This cute little bar was a perfect way to end a long day. It's tucked inside a weird shopping area, so I thought it was closed, but it wasn't! The bar staff are so kind and willing to make a drink based on our indecisiveness. The prices are a little steep, but worth it for a good indoor library vibe and super tasty cocktails.

    The Black Manhattan ~ the classic with the addition of Averna... delicious.
    Kevin A.

    NOVEMBER 26.2025 I've been through many iterations of The Library Bar over the years... from small and cozy secret bar for those that work in the looming skyscrapers of Downtown LA to being some noisy urban hip hop affair that served godawful drinks (see my past review!), and on back to being a calm and casual neighborhood bar again. The interior never changes... dark... illuminated by candlelight... the bust of Shakespeare over the fireplace, the shelves of old books-- all of it remains intact. But this latest Library Bar seems to have finally dialed in what was always sorely missing in that it showcases a conscientious staff that all seem to know how to mix drinks while treating the customer well by leaving them be. On one night my date and I share a "Black Manhattan," basically a Manhattan with the generous addition of Averna, and it's terrific. On another night, I go for Happy Hour and a few pints of Guinness on draft that are surprisingly proper and go well with their excellent and, I'm told, homemade Hummus & Veggies Plate. The music at this current Library Bar is pretty much on point and is never so loud as to interfere with the conversations that patrons seem to come here for... something you should come here for too, and maybe at Happy Hour specifically if you're looking for a nice bump in your day and to spend an hour, well, happily.

    Of Ice and Mezcal
    Cody P.

    I love a bar with a concept and was obsessed over the library theme. Though not exactly hidden, the walls of books and intimate, cozy seating felt akin to a speakeasy. The contrast of the classic study aesthetic against the neon, almost cyberpunk-esque bar was surprisingly harmonious. Best of all, on a Thursday night at 7pm, this place was barely populated - which was wonderful because I got prime choice of seat next to the bookcase on the sofa and could take as many pictures as I wanted. The bartender was so nice and helpful in navigating my "reading list" for the night. My first "novel" was the "Adventure of Blackberry Finn," a blackberry infused vodka with lemon and blackberry smush. On said adventure with Finn, I fell off the raft and was doggy paddling in the vodka. Some cocktails coyly hide their spirits as they lure you into a sense of false security. Library Bar cocktails are not like that. They don't hide their spirits - they're leading the pep rally. They are upfront and honest about what they contain. Take a sip and it's undeniably VODKA. Despite that, I still thought it tasted good. Sweet, fresh, and bang for your buck with how strong it was. The burger was quite yummy for something served at a bar. Maybe (definitely) I was already quite tipsy at this point, but I liked the burger. My friend thought it was kinda dry, but I didn't. The fries were also nice and fluffy. I do wish they didn't run out of the poutine... that sounded good. It probably would've helped soak up the alcohol too. To be honest, I thought the literary drink names were so cute I couldn't resist ordering a second drink. Of Ice and Mezcal was, as the bartender described it, almost a straight up spirit. Sipping on it was actually quite pleasant - the smoky taste of the Mezcal paired well with the brightness from the grapefruit bitters. But it was definitely too much for my second drink of the night (I really should have listened oops). I would definitely come back! I see myself stopping by after work to bask in the ambiance and enjoy a nice drink - especially on weeknights on their off hours. What should I "read" next hehe...

    Mango beer, garlic fries
    Lupita M.

    At first I thought it was closed but it turned out it's a very cozy bar! The ambiance was great, I went early so it wasn't crowded. I would recommend and I can't wait to go again. So glad I found this bar! The drinks are a bit pricey but for DTLA is average price. They were good though so it's worth the money. I tried the garlic fries and they were pretty tasty! The bartender was really nice, very good service.

    Best wings I've ever had
    Taylor N.

    The food here is so good. The wings are the best I've ever had. Every drink in our group was good. Reasonably priced bar with great food and service

    Ambiance
    Vicky M.

    Went in on a weekday for some drinks and finger food. We weren't disappointed. Great food, service and ambience. I tried their tequila mockingbird and French fries. My friend ordered their wings and the ready player rum.

    Malinalli L.

    Great selection of spirits, small selection of food, great relaxing vice ambiance, bartender with glasses is friendly the young one , spiring actor is a diva

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    Page 1 of 49

    Ask the Community - Library Bar

    Do you serve food all night?

    According to their website, Last Call for food is at 8pm

    Is there parking for the place? If not how hard is it to find parking?

    No dedicated parking, typical DTLA street parking headache or expensive lots

    How can one get a reservation for the library?

    Is the Library bar open for dining in?

    They are requiring everyone to be fully vaccinated before entering.

    Is there a cover?

    Nope

    What about music?? What kind of music and which nights?

    Great music. Live DJ on certain nights.

    Is this a good place to study?

    Not at all. Very loud.

    How's parking around?

    It's DTLA, so parking isn't the best. Some parking structures nearby. But if you can Uber so you don't have to worry about the hassle, I would!

    Do you think if a group of 20 went on a weekday at 7 PM we'd all find space to hang together?

    On a weekday YUP!

    Is it quiet and chill enough to read and drink wine solo or more for friends/small crowds?

    I have never been in there when it is quiet enough to read. I agree with Tommaso if you went early you might be able to.

    Happy Hour offered? What is on the HH menu?

    We offer Happy Hour from 3pm-7pm every Monday through Friday! FOOD:… 

    Is this place good for dancing or more just chill?

    Def no room to dance in here, just a kick back chillax kinda spot

    I've been calling and emailing about reserving space with bottle service, but no response? Is it possible to do so?

    I do not believe they take reservations

    Is it okay for party of 10 or more?

    There are a couple sectionals that could seat 10, but get there early. Groups of 2 and 4 will take those seats instantly.

    Can you wear hats inside?

    Not sure, First week of June they told me to remove the hat. They were ok with it the following week. Maybe a different bouncer!

    View All 25 Questions

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    The Lucky Tiki

    4.4(61 reviews)
    5.5 mi•Highland Park

    Talk about being transported to a Polynesian wonderland in the center of Highland Park. Lucky Tiki…read moredoes exactly that with the ambiance and detailed decor. I came with my buddy after a Dodger game and even though we lost the game, we were able to drown our sorrows with delicious tropical cocktails in unique and fun glassware adorn by elaborate garnishes. The service was also first class. Our bartender, Jo, was not only attentive but a great conversationalist who gave us great recommendations on which drinks to choose. Needless to say we had a wonderful time and really enjoyed ourselves after a difficult loss.

    5 stars for the vibe and ambiance, 4 stars for the drinks, and 3 1/2 stars for the food…read more You ring a bell on the outside of this speakeasy attached to Highland Park Bowl and wait for someone in a Hawaiian shirt to come get you. You enter and are immediately transported into a tiki-like hut that's small and intimate. They have a wide selection of drinks, all served in a unique and fun glass. Many of the drinks have a "flame" element to them with makes it kitschy, though the prices for cocktails were on the higher side. Favorite drink of the night was a Painkiller. The food was ok. We got the soup dumplings (4 stars, much spicier than I expected), the crab rangoons (3 1/2 stars) and the Hawaiian Pizza (3 stars -- this was rather small and lacked seasoning) The service was great! Our primary server was fun, personable and definitely was having a good time. This is the perfect spot to grab a drink or two before moving on to game of bowling, or to grab dinner at one of the many spots in Highland Park. Thanks for a fun time Lucky Tiki, we had a blast!

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    The Mulberry - Cheesecake

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    4.0(140 reviews)
    10.9 mi•Sawtelle

    The moment I stepped into this restaurant, I immediately fell in love with the decor. We went…read morearound sunset, and the golden-hour lighting made the space even more beautiful. I was instantly so glad we chose this spot to celebrate our anniversary because it was the perfect setting for a romantic date night. Now, let's talk about the food! Everything we ordered was delicious, with the exception of the Korean aguachiles, which we probably could've skipped. We also tried the bluefin bibimbap, oysters, and the oh-so-tender short rib that practically melted in our mouths. But the most unforgettable dish was also the simplest: the Korean fried chicken. It wasn't necessarily something out of the ordinary, but it sure tasted like it. The perfect crisp, flavor, and seasoning had us eating every last piece right down to the bone. Our server also made the experience even better. She gave us some of the best recommendations and were incredibly attentive and friendly throughout the entire meal. We absolutely loved this restaurant and are already planning our next visit!

    I'd describe this as a hipster Korean restaurant…read more Came for an early dinner with a girlfriend, and we ordered the BLUEFIN TUNA BIBIMBAP, STEAK TARTARE IN A STONE POT, CRISPY KIMCHI PANCAKE, and ASSORTED LETTUCES, HERBS, and SSAMJANG. For dessert, we had the BINGSOO. We probably could have skipped either the tuna bibimbap or the steak tartare since both came with rice, which we didn't realize when ordering. If I had to choose between the two, I'd go with the steak tartare--it was my favorite. The bingsoo was pretty much what I expected: a nice, refreshing way to end the meal. Wouldn't order it again.  ENJOY! PS: There is valet parking, but I was able to find street metered parking!

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    The Mulberry - Salad, had too much white lettuce which was very bitter 7/10

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    The Obscure Distillery - First drink on the wall.

    The Obscure Distillery

    4.5(233 reviews)
    1.6 mi•Arts District, Downtown
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    We came to The Obscure for a friend's birthday and had such a fantastic night. This is definitely…read moremore of an experience than just going out for drinks. The atmosphere is immersive, theatrical, moody, and every nook and cranny of this place is beautifully detailed. Our group embraced the requested all-black dress code, and I was a little disappointed that some other guests didn't play along. When a place puts this much effort into creating a particular world, dressing the part really does make the experience more fun. The spirits themselves were excellent. We tasted vodka, whiskey, and rum, and all three were remarkably smooth, interesting, and clearly very high quality. I loved that the tasting was guided rather than just having drinks dropped in front of us. The storytelling and presentation made us pay attention to what we were actually tasting and gave the evening a nice sense of progression. We also happened to be there while comic artist Matt Harley of Marvel fame was sketching, which felt perfectly suited to the setting and made an already unusual night even more memorable. The space is gorgeous: candlelight, artwork, strange little details everywhere, dramatic lighting, beautiful glassware, and even the outdoor fire element. There's so much to look at that you feel like you're discovering something new every time you turn around. Our whole group LOVES Halloween, so this felt like the absolute perfect way to kick off spooky season. It has exactly the kind of dark, mysterious, slightly magical atmosphere we were hoping for without feeling cheesy or gimmicky. We loved the rum so much that we ended up buying a bottle, which also granted us Level 1 membership, so this definitely won't be our only visit. Such a fun choice for a birthday celebration, date night, or a night out with friends when you want something completely different from the usual bar experience. We're already looking forward to going back and seeing what our new membership unlocks.

    My wife and I went for her birthday weekend, Camille was our guide and she was fun and great! I was…read morejust a bit disappointed considering the price paid ($180 Devil's Quarter for 2) and our portions of liquor and drink sizes. The atmosphere is fun and looks great, but the only proper drink that didn't feel like a tiny sample was the old fashioned. The rest of the portions felt like I was given only a taste, when the price didn't feel to be justified in the small helpings that we were given. I get you want to avoid drunks ruining the experience, but I walked out thinking "That's it?". Not saying people wouldn't enjoy what they offer, I feel if all their experience drinks were about the size of their old fashion it would've definitely been a 5 star review. In closing I don't want to dissuade anyone from trying it out, but I didn't feel the value in the total experience, felt more like they wanted to warm us up to spend more at their bar after the "experience".

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    The Obscure Distillery - Divine Paradox

    Divine Paradox

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    Thunderbolt - Burger was great! The food runner was a lady and she was 5 star!

    Thunderbolt

    4.4(272 reviews)
    1.2 mi•Echo Park
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    Thunderbolt has been on my list for way too long! I was trying The Parks Finest next door and lo…read moreand behold but what did I see? Thunderbolt!!! Post dinner drinks had me very excited! We walk in and the place is beautifully done inside! Chill ambiance, nice materials, cool tile and artwork . We chose a booth, but there were plenty of seating options on a Sunday earlyish evening. The menu? Whoa! Wtf in a great way!!!! They explain the science behind how they create every elixir aaaand how they are so sustainable! #1 sustainable bar in North America and apparently #24 of top 50 bars in North America! We tried the: Fu Gwaa Falsetto: SO cool! They used a bitter melon, which is hard to include in things, and made a dope drink! The sprinkles on top were my fave and tied the drink together. Koji Killer: dessert drink for sure, but I kinda needed a second one delicious! Barcelonette: refreshing, light, lovely P Town Boxing Club: a little disappointed that I couldn't taste the pandan as much, didn't get as much of a distinct flavor Hops Don't Lie: canned, refreshing, my partner like it! The servers/bartenders were so cool and knowledgeable about the menu, they even brought us samples and let us know if we didn't like something they'd replace it! And did! Will definitely be back to try more concoctions

    I tried this spot when I was looking for an after work place for my girlfriend and I. First…read moreimpressions,I like the vibe and music of this place, definitely seems chill and a spot for locals. The wait staff was super nice and the service was prompt and attentive. I went on a Monday, right after they opened at 5 pm, it already people sitting at the bar. The crowd was very chill, very typical Echo Park low-key characters, quite a few seemed to know the staff well. The food and drinks were all fine to me, I had a couple old fashions, my girlfriend had a specialty drink with brunt orange something, she liked it. We tried the chicken thighs, fried green tomatoes, and the chicken biscuit. They all were good, my only issue, the chicken biscuit item is not served on a biscuit like I was thinking , its just on a sandwich bun essentially. Overall, I would go again maybe on a Friday or Saturday night to see the difference, if any of the crowd and vibe.

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