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We stopped inside on a whim on a Friday night. It was hopping inside but we were lucky enough that they happened to have a table for four free. The inside was pretty crowded but had a very cool vibe. The menu itself was beautiful and so were the drink coasters. They had a lot of fun and unusual cocktails and I'm glad we stopped by for a drink. They also had food options but we didn't really look at them since we already ate dinner.
Came here for dessert and drinks after dinner. My wife had pinot grigio that she really enjoyed. I had an excellent smoked old fashioned. Vanilla ice cream for my daughter was delicious. The vibe and ambience in this place is outstanding. Super cozy and relaxing.
I would go back again in a heartbeat. This was one of the best meals and experiences of the year. The shaved prime rib steak with the dipping au jus plus French onion soup as an appetizer... this was phenomenal. Every aspect from the sauce to the baguette to the meat was so tasty. I also recommend getting the garlic aoli for the fries. The drinks were very well done and unique in flavor as well, in particular I tried to the midnight show which was like a raspberry espresso martini. It was fantastic. The ambiance of the place is spectacular as well with a cool, library naturally, vibe. The servers were also great and helped accommodate my date who is gluten free, and her baguette replacement was the best that she'd ever had of a gluten free option. All in all top tier experience start to finish.
A super cozy and classy spot tucked inside the Fairmont Hotel, and you even get a view of the iconic clock tower while you're here. I like to come down with friends for cocktails every now and then--servers are always friendly, and the vibe is just perfect. Since it's inside the hotel, you already know the service and atmosphere are top-notch. Whether it's a casual drink, a night out with friends, or a date, this place never disappoints. Definitely recommend!
Beautiful ambiance, loved the decorations and the vibes. We came for cocktails (we're visiting from the US and my bf saw this bar was #51 on the North America 50 best bars list) and sat at the bar extension. The bartender was still attentive and friendly. I asked for the least spirit-forward between Red Snow, Fifty Year Storm, and The Rose, and he recommended either Red Snow (more popular) or The Rose (nutty but refreshing). He said Fifty Year Storm was also good, but some people found the wasabi off-putting. I ended up getting Red Snow and was really happy with the light flavor and hint of sakura! It didn't taste much like alcohol, which was perfect for me. My bf got Turning Violet, Violet! which we both thought was really good - it even came with gold leaf and nerd clusters! So cute. We both ended up liking our own drinks better (his tasted just a tad too much like whiskey for me). Would definitely recommend for a nice, cozy cocktail or two!
I usually steer clear of hotel bars because they're all hype and I should've done the same with library bar too. I think they used to be better before but the quality and creativity of the drinks isn't worth the price you pay. The staff are extremely friendly and you will receive fantastic service. However, the drinks are sub par. I got the Dominicana and it was the most basic espresso martini I've had. It sounded great on paper, but it was not worth $24. For the next round I got voodoo child and it was a very interesting and creative drink but I don't think I'd go back to library bar again. My friend and I were both disappointed. My friend didn't enjoy either of her drinks.
Came here for cocktails on a Saturday around 4pm. There was a wait list, she said it's about 30min. It took us 1 hour to get a table. We got in at 5pm, the place was packed. It took another while before the server came to give us our menu. The menu was really cool they go into detail the story of each cocktail and they have a map to show you whether a cocktail is dry to sweet side, spirit forward or easy drinking. The drink i wanted to order has lactose, the server suggested me to order something else. It took long time for the drinks to arrive. My friend said my drink is not cold enough, probably sitting for too long. my drink did not taste good. it was bitter and unbalanced. It took a while to flag down the server and he said he will add something to it and make it better. Then another long time , my drink was lost, saw someone carrying it around and confused. then my server came back with that same drink, clara's perfume. it tasted like sour vinegar + wine, add some sweetness. it was horrible. We were late for a dinner reservation at this point, the server was angry that I didn't like my drink. he said how is that possible this is the sweetest drink. btw he never asked me what kind of drink i liked. he just went ahead and got me a drink and made me pay for it. I do not recommend this place. unless you have money and time to throw away and just don't care paying for mediocre stuff with bad service.
This place was packed on Saturday night. We were staying at the Fairmont hotel and ad to wait over an hour to get in. The space is small and quaint, but the drink menu is quite large. I had the strawberry fields, which was a nice sweet fruity drink. My fiancé had the classic martini, and it was a nice quality martini served with olives and a pickled onion. Our server was excellent. Glad we were able to get in and try it out!
Stopped in during lunch hour for a cocktail. Went straight to the bar and grabbed the last bar stool. Service was great. Cocktail menu is weird. It's not straight forward- instead it reads like a book. I was not prepared for that. I flipped the pages til I found the Best Sellers page. I went with the "Twist of Fate". It's a beautiful cocktail. Refreshing, not too sweet but just right. Drink was made quickly. I finished it in about thirty minutes, as I had to go to a meeting, and had no trouble closing my tab out. The restaurant is super plush and upscale. The menu looked tasty but I had already eaten. It's just inside and to the left, of the Fairmont hotel. Bathrooms are right outside. Clean. Seems that they were taking reservations for lunch on a Saturday. Guess it gets busy. So call ahead to be sure you can get a table.
Been here twice now- once with a friend and once by myself while waiting for the train. Both times the staff were friendly and very accommodating. I got two drinks from here- The classic martini: smooth, cooling, and savoury if you add the pickled onion The southern reach: light and refreshing. Comes with an "electric daisy" which numbs your tongue- it's a fun experience but I feel like it took away from the actual flavour of the drink. Overall great place for a drink- a bit of a splurge but well worth it!
Dude! Okay, now that I've got that out of the way, what a fantastic place. The restaurant is gorgeous and the service was seriously top notch. Our server was so darned awesome at his job. I got the Bay Street sandwich and honestly, I wish I lived closer to Toronto because I'd come back weekly for that darned thing! Tender, flavorful prime rib shaved on a delicious baguette with a horseradish aioli that sings with bite and garlicky joy. My wife got the LB Burger and commented on how well it was seasoned and cooked. As Americans the idea of a burger being cooked medium is usually an issue, but not here. It's still super juicy and delicious. Dessert was a must because the entrees were so good. We went with the bourbon crème brûlée and it was another standout dish. So velvety and delicious. For cocktails, we found the menu to be a bit much at first, because they take time to have little literary inspirations for each. It makes for a fun read once you get the hang of how it's set up. I had The Rose and it is so well done. Bright, refreshing and so easy to drink. My wife got a couple cocktails and also enjoyed them. It was a delightful experience and absolutely worth the time and money. We loved it!
Friday night. Came here for after-dinner dessert cocktails. It was around 8pm, and this place was full. Left a phone number at the front, and got a table in 20 mins. While waiting, we enjoyed Fairmont Hotel's elegant hotel lounge, seated in a comfortable chair. Here are our drinks for the night: #DIVINE COMEDY (Dillon's Melon Gin, Melon, Amaro Lucano, Habanero, Eucalyptus, Lime, Prosciutto) $22 This is a drink version of "Prosciutto e Melone". Exotic, fruity, fresh, smoky, and boozy! # LAST OF US (Don Julio Añejo Tequila, Hennessy VS Cognac, Torres 10 Year Brandy, Verjus, Candy Cap Mushrooms, Extra Dry Prosecco, Morels, Maple) $20 Perfect balance of bitter, sweet and smoky. Strong! I am impressed by their perfecting the use of ice. Kept the drinks cool, and never too diluted. I admitted that I had a misconception that dilution is a bad thing, but they proved that it is not the case, and it is a perfectly controlled technique / art! One step out of Union Station. Great bar for a person like me who occasionally uses GO train for commuting. Had a great Friday night!!!
So I've done 3 Fairmont lounges/bars now. Empress Vicoria Hotel Vancouver and here. The Royal York Fairmont Library Bar This place was busy when I got here on a weeknight, but with the location right next to the entertainment district, I can see why. I couldn't even get a seat for the first bit. Standing room only. I got a seat later after a patron left. Friendly bartenders/servers. The lounge is located off to the left when you enter the hotel and is a bit separated/closed off from the rest of the hotel lobby. The hotel and the lounge is certainly grand. It looks like there was a top to bottom reno and gave the overall ambience a nice upscale vibe. I like it. There was the occasional ball cap and hoodie in here, but generally it was a more mature and casual to classy crowd. I'll be back. Likely in 2027. Anecdotally, why are the women always, and I do mean ALWAYS, dressed better than the men in general? I go to a lot of lounges, more than you've been to in two or three years combined total, and this is no exception. Bring some A-game gents! read more
For a very, very long time, I'd been reading about how Library Bar is one of the best cocktail bars in the city. So it goes without saying that my expectations were extremely high for the place. We arrived just before our reservation time and were quickly shown to a comfy table near the entrance. It was a good spot for taking in the admittedly impressive ambiance. Obviously we both had to order the Birdbath Martini ("Quill Gin, House Vermouth Blend, House Orange Bitters, Lemon Oil, Olives and Pickled Onions"). And yeah, it's incredible. The tableside preparation was certainly an impressive sight, and the taste of the drink was superb. Definitely one of the best martinis in the city. For my main, I went with the Bay Street ("shaved prime rib, tobacco onion, horseradish aioli, grilled baguette, frites") and after an unusually long wait, the plate arrived to the table. I can't say I was super impressed. The meat is tender and flavorful, yes, but the bread is so plentiful and so crusty that it pretty much negated the sandwich's positive attributes. I ultimately wound up leaving most of the bread and eating the scant prime rib. The fries were quite tasty, at least. Far more problematic was the service. Our waiter was absent for much of our meal. Our water glasses were empty for most of our time in the restaurant, and he never showed up to ask us if we wanted another drink, which we certainly did. We each probably would've ordered a couple more cocktails had the guy not vanished. So yeah, the martini was indeed excellent. Everything else? Not so much. read more
We stopped inside on a whim on a Friday night. It was hopping inside but we were lucky enough that they happened to have a table for four free. The inside was pretty crowded but had a very cool vibe. The menu itself was beautiful and so were the drink coasters. They had a lot of fun and unusual cocktails and I'm glad we stopped by for a drink. They also had food options but we didn't really look at them since we already ate dinner. read more
Came here for dessert and drinks after dinner. My wife had pinot grigio that she really enjoyed. I had an excellent smoked old fashioned. Vanilla ice cream for my daughter was delicious. The vibe and ambience in this place is outstanding. Super cozy and relaxing. read more
I would go back again in a heartbeat. This was one of the best meals and experiences of the year. The shaved prime rib steak with the dipping au jus plus French onion soup as an appetizer... this was phenomenal. Every aspect from the sauce to the baguette to the meat was so tasty. I also recommend getting the garlic aoli for the fries. The drinks were very well done and unique in flavor as well, in particular I tried to the midnight show which was like a raspberry espresso martini. It was fantastic. The ambiance of the place is spectacular as well with a cool, library naturally, vibe. The servers were also great and helped accommodate my date who is gluten free, and her baguette replacement was the best that she'd ever had of a gluten free option. All in all top tier experience start to finish. read more
A super cozy and classy spot tucked inside the Fairmont Hotel, and you even get a view of the iconic clock tower while you're here. I like to come down with friends for cocktails every now and then--servers are always friendly, and the vibe is just perfect. Since it's inside the hotel, you already know the service and atmosphere are top-notch. Whether it's a casual drink, a night out with friends, or a date, this place never disappoints. Definitely recommend! read more
1 month ago
1 year ago
Beautiful ambiance, loved the decorations and the vibes. We came for cocktails (we're visiting from the US and my bf saw this bar was #51 on the North America 50 best bars list) and sat at the bar extension. The bartender was still attentive and friendly. I asked for the least spirit-forward between Red Snow, Fifty Year Storm, and The Rose, and he recommended either Red Snow (more popular) or The Rose (nutty but refreshing). He said Fifty Year Storm was also good, but some people found the wasabi off-putting. I ended up getting Red Snow and was really happy with the light flavor and hint of sakura! It didn't taste much like alcohol, which was perfect for me. My bf got Turning Violet, Violet! which we both thought was really good - it even came with gold leaf and nerd clusters! So cute. We both ended up liking our own drinks better (his tasted just a tad too much like whiskey for me). Would definitely recommend for a nice, cozy cocktail or two! read more
2 years ago
I usually steer clear of hotel bars because they're all hype and I should've done the same with library bar too. I think they used to be better before but the quality and creativity of the drinks isn't worth the price you pay. The staff are extremely friendly and you will receive fantastic service. However, the drinks are sub par. I got the Dominicana and it was the most basic espresso martini I've had. It sounded great on paper, but it was not worth $24. For the next round I got voodoo child and it was a very interesting and creative drink but I don't think I'd go back to library bar again. My friend and I were both disappointed. My friend didn't enjoy either of her drinks. read more
1 year ago
Came here for cocktails on a Saturday around 4pm. There was a wait list, she said it's about 30min. It took us 1 hour to get a table. We got in at 5pm, the place was packed. It took another while before the server came to give us our menu. The menu was really cool they go into detail the story of each cocktail and they have a map to show you whether a cocktail is dry to sweet side, spirit forward or easy drinking. The drink i wanted to order has lactose, the server suggested me to order something else. It took long time for the drinks to arrive. My friend said my drink is not cold enough, probably sitting for too long. my drink did not taste good. it was bitter and unbalanced. It took a while to flag down the server and he said he will add something to it and make it better. Then another long time , my drink was lost, saw someone carrying it around and confused. then my server came back with that same drink, clara's perfume. it tasted like sour vinegar + wine, add some sweetness. it was horrible. We were late for a dinner reservation at this point, the server was angry that I didn't like my drink. he said how is that possible this is the sweetest drink. btw he never asked me what kind of drink i liked. he just went ahead and got me a drink and made me pay for it. I do not recommend this place. unless you have money and time to throw away and just don't care paying for mediocre stuff with bad service. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
This place was packed on Saturday night. We were staying at the Fairmont hotel and ad to wait over an hour to get in. The space is small and quaint, but the drink menu is quite large. I had the strawberry fields, which was a nice sweet fruity drink. My fiancé had the classic martini, and it was a nice quality martini served with olives and a pickled onion. Our server was excellent. Glad we were able to get in and try it out! read more
Stopped in during lunch hour for a cocktail. Went straight to the bar and grabbed the last bar stool. Service was great. Cocktail menu is weird. It's not straight forward- instead it reads like a book. I was not prepared for that. I flipped the pages til I found the Best Sellers page. I went with the "Twist of Fate". It's a beautiful cocktail. Refreshing, not too sweet but just right. Drink was made quickly. I finished it in about thirty minutes, as I had to go to a meeting, and had no trouble closing my tab out. The restaurant is super plush and upscale. The menu looked tasty but I had already eaten. It's just inside and to the left, of the Fairmont hotel. Bathrooms are right outside. Clean. Seems that they were taking reservations for lunch on a Saturday. Guess it gets busy. So call ahead to be sure you can get a table. read more
Been here twice now- once with a friend and once by myself while waiting for the train. Both times the staff were friendly and very accommodating. I got two drinks from here- The classic martini: smooth, cooling, and savoury if you add the pickled onion The southern reach: light and refreshing. Comes with an "electric daisy" which numbs your tongue- it's a fun experience but I feel like it took away from the actual flavour of the drink. Overall great place for a drink- a bit of a splurge but well worth it! read more
Dude! Okay, now that I've got that out of the way, what a fantastic place. The restaurant is gorgeous and the service was seriously top notch. Our server was so darned awesome at his job. I got the Bay Street sandwich and honestly, I wish I lived closer to Toronto because I'd come back weekly for that darned thing! Tender, flavorful prime rib shaved on a delicious baguette with a horseradish aioli that sings with bite and garlicky joy. My wife got the LB Burger and commented on how well it was seasoned and cooked. As Americans the idea of a burger being cooked medium is usually an issue, but not here. It's still super juicy and delicious. Dessert was a must because the entrees were so good. We went with the bourbon crème brûlée and it was another standout dish. So velvety and delicious. For cocktails, we found the menu to be a bit much at first, because they take time to have little literary inspirations for each. It makes for a fun read once you get the hang of how it's set up. I had The Rose and it is so well done. Bright, refreshing and so easy to drink. My wife got a couple cocktails and also enjoyed them. It was a delightful experience and absolutely worth the time and money. We loved it! read more
Friday night. Came here for after-dinner dessert cocktails. It was around 8pm, and this place was full. Left a phone number at the front, and got a table in 20 mins. While waiting, we enjoyed Fairmont Hotel's elegant hotel lounge, seated in a comfortable chair. Here are our drinks for the night: #DIVINE COMEDY (Dillon's Melon Gin, Melon, Amaro Lucano, Habanero, Eucalyptus, Lime, Prosciutto) $22 This is a drink version of "Prosciutto e Melone". Exotic, fruity, fresh, smoky, and boozy! # LAST OF US (Don Julio Añejo Tequila, Hennessy VS Cognac, Torres 10 Year Brandy, Verjus, Candy Cap Mushrooms, Extra Dry Prosecco, Morels, Maple) $20 Perfect balance of bitter, sweet and smoky. Strong! I am impressed by their perfecting the use of ice. Kept the drinks cool, and never too diluted. I admitted that I had a misconception that dilution is a bad thing, but they proved that it is not the case, and it is a perfectly controlled technique / art! One step out of Union Station. Great bar for a person like me who occasionally uses GO train for commuting. Had a great Friday night!!! read more
1 year ago
Amazing drinks!!! CJ provided amazing service to our table. I loved the Dominicana, which was like an espresso martini, but better. One of my favorite drinks of all time. Swanky and fancy decor. Located on the first floor of the Fairmont Royal York hotel, this place is a real treat. My friend ordered the Black Lodge, which gets lit on fire and looks very cool. The menu is very creative and I wish I could try every drink. I highly recommend coming here. You won't regret it. read more
9 months ago
Gorgeous bar located inside the Fairmont. We stopped by for a late lunch drink and apps. It's a classy, beautiful space, and seems family friendly, at least during the daytime. The cocktail menu is extensive and has some interesting options. We both enjoyed our drinks as well as our app and dessert. The service was unobtrusive and quiet. It was nice spending a little time here feeling fancy! Next time I'm in town, I might come back for evening cocktails. read more
3 years ago
Atmosphere - 9 Music - 9 Service - 8 People Watching - 7 Cocktails - 0 Cocktails looked incredible and tasted like cough syrup. read more
After having drink at the clockwork bar that's also located in the Fairmont Royal York, some friends and I decided to check out the Library Bar as well. It was a Saturday night so there was a bit of a wait to get in, about 20 mins or so. The interior is done so well. It looks like something straight out of a movie with even the smallest details accounted for. We opted to order drinks and a couple appetizers. Our sever was amazing, super friendly and answered any questions we had. The drinks and food however were just okay. I ordered the twist of fate cocktail and was unimpressed with the presentation and taste. It just seemed like it was lacking more pizzazz. The warm crab dip and deviled eggs also gave me the same vibe. More flavor and seasoning were needed. Overall it was still a decent experience, but I don't think I'd return. read more
This bar is giving luxurious speakeasy vibes. The decor is beautiful, the couches/seating is super comfy, the drinks are equally as beautiful and well crafted. I want to give a shoutout to the bartender who was able to make me a decaf espresso martini (which is very rare to find). Both of our cocktails were really good and we loved the atmosphere! We're here a couple of days so we will definitely be back. read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
Library Bar is an amazing, cozy Bar at Fairmont Royal York Hotel. It offers variety of cocktails including specially designed festive varieties. it is particularly advisable to go there around holidays when the hotel itself is lavishly decorated. They served food as well, but we went for drinks and only ordered olives. I think atmosphere is what people go there for, and it is marvellous place. Service is very courteous, everyone feels like an honoured guest. read more
2 years ago
One of the best bars I've visited in my global travels. Located in the historic Fairmont Royal York, the Library Bar has a great 'old school' vibe with fun and modern touches. The service was amazing, I was lucky to get a seat at the bar and be served by Riley, who is both a student and a master at his craft. His passion for mixology is obvious, they make their own syrups and have an assortment of interesting bitters, and most importantly, Riley spent time asking about my taste preferences before recommending a mix of liquors and delivering a spectacular Old Fashioned! read more
This was our fancy place for the night ! We did street food all day and this definitely took us up a notch. Loved the old feel of the bar in the Fairmont York hotel. Definitely a nice meet your people for drinks place. We got a nice spot at the bar and the service was amazing from the moment we sat down. They have a very extensive drinks menu. Wine and cocktails especially. Be warned some of these cocktails are high $$$$!. They do carry some too shelf stuff though. I had a a nice Gin and tonic . Classic with a nice grapefruit tonic . They make all their drinks look amazing and have fabulous glassware. My friend had a nice Prosecco. We ordered a app off their small plates menu. The by far best mushroom toast, which sounds so basic but this was so good! Nice thick sourdough slice with truffle butter and the mushrooms were cooked perfectly with nice seasoning and more truffle and Parmesan! And nice spicy arugula salad . It was such a palate pleaser. Perfect with my drink. I gotta say I do love the truffle butter. The desert we tried was called the storyteller, all desserts library themed ! A beautiful chocolate, meringue, mousse like cake and crunchy chocolate nibs creation. So hard to describe as there was so much going on. But truly indulgent! The chocolate was truly rich. I also had their espresso martini which was made so pretty too. Perfect balance of espresso and vodka, and a touch of cream. Perfect. It's a fun experience to go places like these. Especially at the bar. Our bartender was so much fun too. Looking for a fancy drink place . The library bar is the place! read more
1 year ago
Incredible vibe, outstanding food, and fantastic service from a very friendly wait staff! I loved my Willy Wonka-inspired drink! read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
4 years ago
We came here for a drink for New Years Eve. My drink Carry Me Away was just perfect. My husband got a egg white drink which he was completely crazy about. Not only are the drinks perfect but also the ambiance. They are moderately priced for a classy place like this. A place like this in NYC would've costed much more. $60 for two drinks including tip and tax is not bad at all. Overall, this is a special occasion bar and glad we came here for close out a great year! read more
This place is outstanding! The cozy library ambiance / cabinet de curiosités is amazing. The decor ... Wowh! The decor!! Jazz music. The service was perfect. Waitress and bartenders were welcoming, nice and really helpful. The cocktails were strong but fabulous. We took the Pâté then the mussels and the food was great (and big portions). 200% recommended. read more
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