Always a fancy treat. My colleague was in town staying at the Fairmount and had complimentary drinks. Library bar is tucked away in the corner of the Fairmont Hotel and the decor of the bar is very elegant and sophisticated. We asked the server to surprise us with our drinks and he came out with a classic Manhattan for my colleague and a mojito for myself. I've only been here for drinks in the past but my colleague was raving about the burger. I ordered the prime rib sandwich and when it arrives, it was covered with a delicious gravy with crispy onions on a crunchy bread with some mayo spread on the top bun. The service is always amazing. The crowd is normally an older crowd and typically hotel guest stopping by for a quick drink or bite. Definitely check this bar out if your looking for a good cocktail read more

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Came here on a weeknight as a walk in. They only had space at the bar, but I was just happy to make it in, as it was packed. The ambiance is refined, yet homey. The drink menu is quite extensive, organized by sections like "Fantasy" and "Mystery". I opted for the "Once Upon a Time", which was innovative and creative. It was on the lighter side and the flavors were well-balanced. Our bartender was knowledgeable and friendly. Overall a great experience! read more

LIBRARY BAR - Once upon a time - Lounges Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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My boyfriend and I recently stayed at the Fairmont Royal York, and we came here two nights out of three. The atmosphere is absolutely top notch, with cozy velvet couches and stacks of books on the shelves. I felt like I wanted to live here! We tried multiple cocktails, but most importantly the birdcage martini. We have had many martinis in our lives, but we both immediately declared this the best we'd ever had. Our waiter was a seasoned professional and told us a few stories about the martini, including background on the various liquors and how it came to be, which really added to the whole experience. Again, I can't emphasize enough that this is the best martini I've ever had. So smooth and balanced. The little glass of olives was the perfect compliment and my boyfriend and I both loved taking a sip of our martini and then biting into a tiny piece of olive. So, so yummy. Even if you're not staying at the hotel, I highly recommend this bar the next time you're in Toronto. read more

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Regal to-be-seen cocktail bar. The atmosphere/ambience is happening ritzy spot with well to do clientele. Comfy with close seating but high end furniture. Servers and hosts all dressed business to black tie. Service was very good. The hosts let us know about a wait since we didn't have a prior reservation around 5:30pm mid-week. They said it'd take 20 minutes but it only took 5! Our waitress was attentive and had okay suggestions. She over recommended some drinks on the menu based on what we had been ordering but they somewhat missed our flavor preferences (one was too sweet despite my companion saying that didn't like sweet, for example). Drinks were all well crafted. We ordered some martinis, manhattans, and old fashioned and they were done well. I was glad to see the clear old fashioned without muddling and extra fruit. It was very well done. The take on an old fashioned on the menu is to be avoided--the vermouth was the best part. Not a good sign. The secretariat was a nice cocktail if you enjoy Fernet. We were hoping the selection of whiskeys would be larger considering the vibe and price point. It was a much clear liquor forward specialty cocktail section. Price is a lot. That shouldn't be surprising by the decor and dress here. The mixologists know what they're doing and service is good. Special occasion/business trip visits seem about right. read more

The bar was located in a hotel and was so pretty. The espresso martini I ordered was honestly the best espresso martini I've ever had. The prices were higher end as it was a bit more of a formal environment. read more

LIBRARY BAR - Lounges Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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WOW sooooo osooooo0oooooo awaesome if you want to see and be seen by all the famous party people and famous actors but wow the food and dribnks are incredible !!!!!! thank youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!! Best waitresses evaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!! read more

I loved the old environment, with the cozy chairs and the polished wood bar to one side. We discovered a new tequila while trying out their various cocktails, which we have since bought to tie us over during the renovations. Looking forward to what the new space and environment will have to offer! read more

LIBRARY BAR - Tequila old fashioned! - Lounges Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

An intimate atmosphere and good drinks make for the best hushed conversations. Library Bar, located inside the Fairmont Royal York, whisks you away from the buzz of Union Station into an opulent bar of the 1950s past, complete with dark hues, wood, velvet, mood lighting, and seductive literary references. With no reservation, we were able to secure a table in the center of the action, but truth be told, too enthralled in our own conversation to notice everyone else. The drink menu followed genres on par with the namesake (mystery, romance, etc.), while the food menu was comprised of warm comfort eats (crab dip, brie, ravioli). An impressive destination to take a fellow bookworm and discuss everything from your favorite authors, to cocktail preferences, Toronto, life, and more. read more

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Great trendy place, but the drinks are expensive. It's always busy, so be prepared to wait for service

Loved the ambiance, fantastic drinks and very friendly bartenders/waitstaff. Would recommend.

This bar is located in the Fairmont and a bit more intimate. There were no tables available so we sat at the bar. Our mixologist was Joe and he took such care in creating cocktails. Having a front row seat to watch as he spritzed, stirred, shook and swirled was great . We asked for a special creation and he created something that fit exactly what we had in our minds. I would recommend going but making reservations so you don't miss out on a seat. read more

LIBRARY BAR - Lounges Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Bar with an absolutely delightful ambiance and excellent service from a knowledgeable waiter. Ordered a Secretariat that was an excellent balance of sweet and bitter. read more

LIBRARY BAR - Lounges Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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I only have gotten drinks here, the martinis are what it's all about. Personally I like the secretariat as it's a very stiff drink. The espresso martini's are decent too. It's really more about the ambiance here, great date spot read more

My first visit to Library Bar was the fulfillment of expectations. What you picture when you hear the name Library Bar is exactly what you get. The décor is self-deprecatingly stuffy; they are very much in on the joke. This is the place where you do business over lighter bites and bevies, or meet friends for inventive and extensive forays into spirits not found elsewhere. You'll want to either be on an expense account or have your own fat wad, because the food and libations are all big numbers. It would be a great option if you have a layover from Via Rail. Service was intuitive; my hostess and I were engaged in a serious discussion which was not interrupted. They were there for refills, and quick with the cheque when asked, but we were not disturbed otherwise. read more

I came to The Library based on recommendations and research, and it did not disappoint! First, the staff were all so kind and attentive. They accommodated me even without a reservation on a Saturday and were all personable. Second, the drinks were phenomenal and, hands down, one of the best versions of a Polama mezcals I've ever had. Third, I also had the Cobb salad - highly recommend it. It was fresh, hearty, and super tasty--a nice place with a great vibe. read more

Came for drinks and were impressed by the food. The atmosphere was so perfect for a snowy day! read more

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Classic, elegant upscale place to take your partner , we went at night for cocktail drinks and some snacks. The reception and service was sophisticated. You can experience different kind of cocktails read more

LIBRARY BAR - Lounges Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Terrible bar - the whole place was empty and they sat us at the bar while promising us for 2 hours that we were on the waitlist once a table opened up (there were 3 open tables the whole time we were there). Avoid the place - way too expensive and not worth it. read more

Pros: Fun experience. Very fancy. Professional servers. Can take cool photos here. Can accommodate people with dietary restrictions. Beautiful decor with cute china. Cons: Food isn't as delicious as it looks. Very pricey. Servers can be very busy and disappear during peak hours to serve other tables. Tips: Limited seating, so book in advance. You will want to bring a camera with you; the place looks gorgeous. Overall: I recommend this experience. read more

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My server Rene-Pierre was excellent, he always came to make sure the drinks were good, refill water, refill snacks, change napkins. He told me a bit about his background which was interesting conversation. I like how drinks came with two little bowls of snacks that get refilled. I haven't tried the food yet and would love to come back for that. Had Moscow Mule, Marmalade Mule and Sidecar, it was good. Great atmosphere, the chair I was on was like an armchair with blue floral print. Lovely decor and nice vibes. The location is close to Union Station so very convenient, but it is so easy to miss the entrance because it is hidden and you have to go up a flight of stairs to get there. Hope I remember that next time! read more

Located inside the Fairmont Hotel (aka Royal York), the vibe takes you back in time, decor is both beautiful and classic. My friends and I came to celebrate a birthday with afternoon tea. We ordered creamy earl grey, Ontario icewine, oolong sweet watermelon, "chocolate chip banana bread" white tea and 1907 orange pekoe for our teas. The tradition finger sandwiches: smoked salmon (dill cream cheese perfectly balanced the smokey-ness of the salmon), egg & truffle (I like the addition of the shaved asparagus for texture), English cucumber (it acted like a palate cleanser), smoked pastrami (I remember how perfect the nuttiness of the mustard sead and the slight acidity which balances the heaviness of the meat), mini wild mushroom tart (most notably my fave out of the bunch, very buttery taste). As for the sweets, we had citrus & elderflower bundt cake, gateau opera, key lime meringue tart (my fave out of all the bunch), Queen's chocolate biscuit cake and French macaron. None of the sweets were overly, well, sweet, so we were able to enjoy them without much regret! My favourite part will always be the scones because of the Devonshire clotted cream. Delicious. read more

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Came here with my girlfriend to celebrate my birthday. We were staying at the hotel for a night, and decided to end the day with a meal at the infamous Library Bar. The main attraction is the ambiance. This place feels like a cool 50s smoke-bar jazz club sans stage, but with live music. Lots of dark stained wood, brass, and dim lighting complete the look. A man and his guitar played right by our table which was nicer than I expected. The idea of someone that close to me while I eat isn't necessarily enticing, but we were sitting on an elevated part of the restaurant which made it perfect. Food wise, I got the Legendary Library Bar Prime Rib Sandwich (good thing Yelp doesn't have a character limit), and my girlfriend got the Rigatoni Pork Ragu. We each ordered a Stella as well, which came with corn nuts. Forgot how much I loved corn nuts - truly the god of bar snacks. Listen, I'm generally skeptical of anything with Legendary in the name. It raises all sorts of questions I don't need to be asking myself before a meal. The food should speak for itself. Was this a good sandwich? Yeah, it was. Was it legendary? No, and it would be absurd to even suggest it could be. I don't know why these things bother me so much. In any case, the meat was juicy, the cheese was gooey, the bread did a great job absorbing the beef jus it's served with and everything about it - flavour and texture wise - checked out. The fries were excellent. My girlfriend didn't eat much of her Rigatoni. It was very heavy, and after the day we'd had I think the cream based sauce made her feel a bit nauseous. We took it to go, and I got to have it for lunch the day after. It was fine. Definitely on the bland side, especially given the price. Overall, we had a lovely time. Don't come for the food necessarily - the prices don't really match the quality, but the atmosphere makes it worth it. Would go back, but not anytime soon. read more

I loved the Library Bar! The cocktails are prime, and the snacks are fantastic! Also, the vibe is sexy, and as a librarian, I was super into the theme. My beau and I made friends with a diner next to us, and he said it was his go-to place in Toronto. Definitely a great place to take a client, make new friends, or have a romantic date! read more

LIBRARY BAR - Lounges Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

We had stopped in for drinks and a bite. The Lobster Knuckle sliders were very good served with a fresh bowl of French fries. Finished with a generous slice of flourless chocolate cake which was so good we forgot to take the picture until halfway through. Service was stellar (Chris) and the bartender really knew is way around. Top marks for the perfect Old fashioned and the Southern Apples cocktail. Tawse Rose for the lady was well received. Despite the swanky hotel surroundings the bar is open to the public so be prepared for dinner and a show. We had a birthday circus come in which killed the mood. read more

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Amazing amazing amazing. I would definitely go here next time I visit toronto. Ambience, quality, service - top notch!

Made for a older crowd, but that doesn't mean the service, vibe and drinks weren't good, they were playing Beyoncé when we walked in, so interpret that information how you would like. Our server was extremely attentive and we got seated with our drinks quickly. The place is set up to encourage conversation between you and your group, featuring comfortable sofas with tiny tables. They do have good food on the menu for those looking to grab a bite to eat. The drinks were classic and good. They have a menu of drinks that did not make too much sense to me, so I just got an extra dirty martini and it was tres bien. Overall, I enjoyed the library and would go back. read more

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The Library Bar feels like a place that I would go for a drink when I grown up. Big comfortable wing chairs. Dark Wood Interior. Classy Decoration. Waitstaff polite and proper. Service attentive. They do have a few draft beer available including Royal York Aivary Ale ($9.50) which is brewed by Mill Street especially for Royal York and a cream ale 1929 in bottle brewed by Double Trouble Brewing to celebrate Royal York's 85 anniversary. I would probably try a cocktail next time or even some of their whiskies next time. Price is on the higher end as almost $10 for a pint? but it is after all inside a nice hotel. +0.5 star as it is located in The PATH, great to meet up with friends that works in the downtown without even the need to going out in the cold during the harsh winter months! read more

LIBRARY BAR - House Beer Royal York Aivary Ale by Mill Street ($9.50) - Lounges Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Location: 4/5 It is inside Fairmont Royal York, right across from Union Station with valet parking, so this restaurant is a bit on the elusive side. Decor/Ambience: 5/5 One of the best decor I have dined in for 2018! I totally felt like I was immersed in a library bar!! Food quality: 4/5 All brunch items were made to perfection and hot when they came out. I just wish that a restaurant of this level, especially one in such a prominent hotel, should have more vegan or diverse menu options or at least breakfast items where eggs (or cheese/milk) are optional. I love how you can customize your Royal Omelette with 3 fillings all for the same fixed price! I really like the fact that I could taste all of the flavours and feel the texture of every single ingredient; nothing was overpowering. I like that there fruit juices came in: orange, apple, grapefruit, cranberry, and pineapple. Service: 4.5/5 All of the servers give such attention to detail from the moment you arrive at the entrance all the way till you leave. The only take away again was that there was no vegan options beside the the rather plain sounding berries and oatmeal and not enough labelling or options for those with dietary restrictions even though you can ask for them; but it would be appreciated if it was listed on the menu itself. I also love how they give you a survey at the very end where you can rate the customer service of the staff and restaurant on a dozen factors. Customer service here was definitely one of the best I have ever had, prompt in food delivery and service, and friendly, helpful and knowledgeable staff. Value: 4.5/5 A bit on the pricier side, but definitely an experience worth coming to even if one is not staying overnight in the hotel. Portions were where it should be. I was full at the very least. Cost about $29/person before tax and tips since we both ordered a freshly fruit juice. Would highly recommend. Overall: 4.5/5 Almost a 5* for me, but for this price, I really wish there were more vegan available options on their menu, besides berries and oatmeal. A small glass of juice was also $5 each... still I felt pretty pampered here and I think families with young kids would also love how customizable the food is so long as you can eat eggs and milk products. read more

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In case you were wondering, there are NO BOOKS in the Library Bar. This hurt my brain. Thankfully, the drinks were very lovely, which helped my brain feel better about there being NO BOOKS in the Library Bar. Also, the candied nuts and the caramel corn were fantastic. I'd come back just for those. (Confession: I kind of ruined my dinner by eating too many of the nuts.) I'm giving it a 4-star rating just because I ordered the same drink three times, and it was different each time. One time, it was radically different. And the bartender was the same. So, consistency might not be the strongest suit. I'd definitely return, and I will bring my own book. read more

This review is based on their martinis and cocktails. My boyfriend and I stopped here for an after dinner drink while visiting Toronto. After spending about an hour at the establishment chatting and drinking our cocktails, we left very happy with our experience! I got the Bubbles and Berries which contained vodka, chambord, sparkling wine, and fresh berries. I'm not a vodka drinker so I asked the bartender if he could use gin instead. He was more than happy to do so. My drink was fantastic! Fruity and sweet, just the way I like my cocktails! It was served in a martini glass with some raspberries socked in champagne for garnish. At $18, this cocktail came in a very appropriately sized glass. ;) The bartender, Michael, was a total joy to be around. He was polite and friendly, and very attentive. He held light conversation with all of his customers, and checked on them periodically. If I lived in Toronto, I would definitely return here for a cocktail or two! I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a classy, intimate spot for an after dinner drink! read more

LIBRARY BAR - Mortdecai Manhattan and Bubbles & Berries served with caramel popcorn and candied nuts. Wonderful presentation! - Lounges Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Don't go there. Don't order the amazing food, or revel in the fantastic service. Don't enjoy the beautiful and inviting ambiance. Don't go bonkers over the selection of amazing Scotch whiskies, NOT unreasonably priced. Don't order the perfectly prepared Paper Plane, or the perfect Army-Navy, or the Espresso Martini. Don't do any of these things. Don't do them, because then I will have to wait for a place to sit and do all these things. This might be my favorite bar...anywhere read more

Of course being in the Toronto Fairmont you would expect no less than 5 stars, and the Library Bar did not disappoint. Classy decor, attentive waitstaff and imaginative food along with their spectacular "Birdbath" martini made for a memorable time. read more

LIBRARY BAR - Birdbath martini - Lounges Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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We had a great experience here checking out the cocktails here at the Library Bar. The staff are super nice and friendly and the service was quick. We just had drinks here and we definitely would recommend checking this place out! read more

Came for afternoon tea during Canada long weekend. Most afternoon teas in Toronto don't take reservation til later, but thankfully this one accepts reservations starting at noon. The savoury plate was surprisingly very, very good! I especially enjoyed the mushroom tart. It tasted very fresh and unique. My other favourite was the scones. They are a bit on the small size, but the quality was there. In fact, I found it difficult to finish all my portions so I didn't mind them being a smaller size. I chose the oolong watermelon tea, which was very fruity. Out of the various afternoon teas I've been to, it is actually my favourite selection. I didn't find the sweets to be particularly interesting, they were decent though. Overall, I enjoyed my afternoon tea and would visit again. read more

LIBRARY BAR - Lounges Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Decided to check this place out for dinner one day, lovely atmosphere, the Oxford look was a real draw. Really great service, waited for a friend for a long time, did not get any weird looks hahaha. Finally when it was time to order, ordered French onion soup for myself. Honestly it was a little too rich for my liking, however my friend helped me finished my soup in record speed, she loved it. Would go again to enjoy the atmosphere and great service, they have a great bar as well. read more

LIBRARY BAR - French onion soup - Lounges Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Simply the best service, ambiance, and most delicious food and cocktails that can be experienced. This place is a favourite of many and now I know why. Worth it. Above and beyond. read more

Can't go wrong with the Library bar. The recent renovations made the place even more fabulous!

I came here for their afternoon tea. The Library Bar has a dark, sophisticated, almost intimidating interior but then the leopard print seats lightens the mood. As expected there are bookshelves along the wall filled with hardcover vintage books adding to the historic feel. Service was excellent and my friend and I enjoyed the afternoon tea. We, as usual, left afternoon tea stuffed. They have 11 different teas to select from and I chose the Montebello Apple Spice. While I'm not usually a fan of fruity tea I thought I'd give this one a shot since it's different. It wasn't too sweet so I enjoyed it. We started off with mixed berries in a cocktail glass topped with a bit of whipped cream with a crumpet with a Grand Marnier butter & honey spread on top. I thought the Grand Marnier gave it a slight bitter taste so the honey really balanced the flavour. The finger sandwiches came next. This was my favourite part of the meal and I think they have the best finger sandwiches of all the afternoon tea places I've been to. The PEI Lobster & mango salad open sandwich and the Nova Scotia smoked salmon with a wasabi creme fraiche were the stand outs. The lobster & mango sandwich was fresh, light and creamy. The smoked salmon was not salty (as experienced from other places) and the wasabi gave just a slight kick to the otherwise "normal" smoked salmon sandwich. There was a smoked turkey breast and Ontario Brie sandwich. I enjoyed the brie sandwich more than I expected. It was also topped with an apple, strawberry & peach preserve slice which worked...I usually don't like mixing sweet & savoury. The pastries came next served on the tiered platter. My favourites were the fresh fruit clafouti (light & fresh) and the chocolate crunch flourless cake (really rich chocolate goodness). The madeleines were made with honey from their rooftop garden. The scones were served with organic cream and preserves. They were good but the Windsor Arms still wins the afternoon tea scone & cream competition (love it). It's $35 a person and you have upgrade to the Royal Tea Experience for an additional $25 for smoked salmon & caviar canapes that's paired with a Moet Chandon Brut Imperial Champagne. read more

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My sister and I took my mother here for Mother's day. I was a bit nervous about attending this place. I was worried about the etiquette and the posh surroundings. Well, let me tell you, all the staff were wonderful and made us feel comfortable right from the beginning. I want to make a special mention to "Emaad" who was our server. He was the absolute best! I could not have asked for better! If you're looking for a unique experience and the best service ever, you'll be very pleased with Afternoon Tea in The Library Room at The Fairmont Royal York. Afternoon Tea at The Fairmont Royal York Hotel 100 Front Street West Toronto, Ontario (416) 368-2511 Afternoon Tea at The Fairmont Royal York Hotel This traditional tea is held on weekends in the Library Bar, and is a lovely (and oh so civilized) way to dine. Bring on the crumpets, lobster sandwiches and Earl Grey! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvZ6vTCDU4Q Afternoon Tea in the Library Bar http://www.fairmont.com/royalyork/GuestServices/Restaurants/AfternoonTea.htm Afternoon Tea Menu http://www.fairmont.com/NR/rdonlyres/BD92157D-11AE-4ED9-A3B3-1DFB6AD42E42/0/RYH_Library_Bar_Tea_Menu.pdf read more

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Weekend high tea review only. My friends and I stopped in for high tea and it was lovely. Service was spot on and our table was crowded with teapots and deliciousness. The tea selection was good. The cocktail prices were high and no drinks were included with the tea price, but maybe that's normal. The sandwiches were fine. The scones tasty. The desserts coma inducing...in a good way. Our service was handled by several people so I'm still not sure who our main server was, but everything arrived in a timely fashion. And the setting was gorgeous. I did not have time to take the complementary tour of the hotel after, but the people I know who did said it was great. read more