The Library Bar is one of my favorite places to drop into when I'm in the Rittenhouse area. Located in the hotel lobby, the place is serving up tasty cocktails with an intimate ambiance. It's not usual for me to request the group pop in if we're just walking by. The bevs are always on point and the bar tenders have extensive knowledge on the menu and just overall mixology. Not uncommon for me to ask the staff to "surprise me" with something. Speaking of staff, they are super friendly, consummate professionals and generally just a good time. Lastly, I think this place is a great place to meet people. I always seem to meet fun and interesting people while sitting at the bar. read more

The Library Bar - Corner Seating - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Went back to Library Bar this weekend again and it was still as amazing as it was 5 years ago. The bartenders were very friendly and engaging. Their cocktail list is thoughtful and refreshing with some really innovative signature cocktails. I saw the bartenders working hard to deliver the best experience to all their customers because the drinks were not only delicious but also aesthetically pleasing. We got the Darling Daisy and The Big Roar. I highly encourage you to get the Big Roar if it is on the menu - it has two of my favorite ingredients: Matcha and Pandan. With every sip of the drink, you can smell the Pandan leaf placed delicately on top of the glass. The Library bar is consistently one of the best cocktail bars in the city and I will definitely make it a point to come back time and again. read more

The Library Bar - The Big Roar and Darling Daisy - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I came across town with a friend to visit. Located in the Rittenhouse hotel, Library Bar serves you the library feel. Mainly a two room bar with an extension into the walkway, warm lighting, deep colors, shelves of books, cozy chairs. It's a nice place to catch up on reading or meeting friends for a drink. They have a small list of food items and a larger selection of drinks. They were out of the oysters so we just stuck to drinks. We weren't offered the complimentary olives even though two other tables were, that was noticeable. Otherwise staff were attentive and the drinks were very good. read more

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I have been here twice and both times it was quite crowded. There is limited seating as the bar itself is very small. If they don't have enough seats they will seat you in the hall. The cocktails are a bit pricey but very decent. The wine was nice. A good place if you want a quiet intimate atmosphere (provided you get a seat in the bar). I've had very good servers both times I've been. read more

The Library Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Went for drinks with a party of 8, wow the service was fantastic. Charlie at the hostess stand was so welcoming and accommodating. She went out of her way to make sure we were taken care of comfortable. She really went above and beyond to make us feel at home. The drink menu was extensive and innovative, all the drink came out perfect. So many interesting cocktails to try, they really have something for everyone. I hate the Rye Tai, a play on a mai tai and it was fantastic, perfectly balanced and served in the appropriate glassware. Our group had such a nice time, The library bar and their amazing service really saved our night. read more

I somehow had lived in Philadelphia for a couple of years and never been to library bar despite having read about it several times. This is your sign: don't wait! This place is such a gem. My husband was late and normally I'd be annoyed, but I had the best time reading their drink book, pondering different ingredients and methods of drink production. Then the drinks came and they were sublime. I'm so sorry I didn't come sooner. read more

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Located inside the Rittenhouse Hotel. The library bar has a full bar with table and booth seating and is separated into two distinct rooms one with the bar and a lounger setting where the library actually presides. The theme is very much in vibe of The Great Gatsby as their entire menu makes reference to the novel. Obvious choice for evening drinks either pre dinner or post. We saw several couples come in and patrons meeting up with friends throughout our visit. They have a selection of spirits and cocktails to meet anyone's fancy. Also on the menu you'll find bar snacks and food, Although I didn't notice anyone ordering food during our visit. I'm actually a non-alcoholic drinker and they have two items on the menu, I'm blanking on the name of the drink I ordered but basically was a refreshing ginger soda types of drink. Tasty enough that I ordered two. It was crowded when we walked in so they will have you wait in the hotel lounge. At the time they had a piano and sax player entertaining folks so that's fun. When it's your turn to get a table someone will come fetch you and you'll have service check in on your drink orders and needs throughout the night Despite its name the Library bar is not quiet. So if you're looking for a place to grab a drink and read a book, this is not the place during their peak times. A good place to grab drinks and have conversations per what's stated on their menu. read more

This is a very elegant bar that's tucked away and a little bit hard to find, but it's a very intimate place once you do. I don't drink alcohol so I ordered a non-alcoholic Mojito, which came out really really good so I'm really happy about that. My partner got the old-fashioned here and he said that it was one of the best that he's had before. The bar has the aesthetic of the roaring 20s and it's giving Gatsby vibes. The bartenders and servers are also very nice and accommodating. While the drinks are pretty expensive, the vibes are 10 out of 10 would come back. read more

The Library Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Very cozy cocktail bar in Rittenhouse. Great spot for a pre dinner drink or maybe a nightcap! It's definitely on the pricier side but the ambiance matches the price point. The bar is small and cozy with comfy chairs in the "library" area. We arrived right at opening on a Saturday at 5pm and it was full within 15 minutes. read more

The Library Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

It's a small bar with a variety of seating in the Rittenhouse hotel. It was busier than I expected but wasn't too loud do it's a good setting to actually have a conversation. read more

The Library Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Great place to grab a drink. Classy and intimate. The service was excellent with outstanding recommendations. read more

The Library Bar - Whisky sour - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Library Bar is the ideal spot for a before dinner drink to get your date night started! It has a very cozy, sexy vibe that is very comfortable. Their drinks are very good and we also loved the little bowl of complementary spiced nuts they give you! I decided to get their version of a pumpkin espresso martini which was very tasty. My fiancé got the classic espresso martini and really enjoyed that as well! I definitely want to come back here to have a drink again soon to try some of their appetizers as well. This winter I am so planning a night at Library Bar with a nice glass of red wine, chunky sweater and a cheese board! Who's with me?! read more

Great tiny bar tucked away in The Rittenhouse Hotel. Friendly, knowledgeable bartenders serving excellent cocktails with top notch liquor. Drinks were kind of expensive ($22/23 cocktails, some pours were much more), but it went with the atmosphere. They have a small food menu if you're looking for fill. Looked good, but I didn't order anything Ordered The Castle of Love tequila cocktail and a couple pours of the Makers Mark Rittenhouse bourbon. It was excellent. In house barrel Will be back! read more

The Library Bar - The Castle of Love - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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This bar is inside of a hotel and it was cute but service was super super slow. drinks were yummy but not sure if it was worth the 15 min wait just to get a drink read more

Beautiful lobby bar in Rittenhouse Hotel. Pricey, but fun for special occasions. Our server, was lackluster given the price point. We ordered bottle of champagne & a cheese board. Our cheeseboard was lovey but arrived almost a half hour after our champagne, and therefore we were almost done with our bottle of champagne. We were never asked if we wanted any more drinks. And then, as the bar was closing, we were politely asked to clear out the bar... Until some of the celebrities that we were meeting with showed up and then we were given a grace period, so that was slightly annoying. read more

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Cute location and tucked into a corner of a nice hotel in rittenhouse park, however is still a hotel bar so prices reflect relatively expensive cocktails ($22-25+). Cocktails were a fun variety and came with complimentary olives and nuts. Was a touch disappointed when asking the bartender for a dealers choice (asked for gin + refreshing - brought out a gin sour). Was also disappointed in the restrictions, we were sitting at a corner table and they refused to allow 5 individuals to sit around the table and when we asked if 2 of us could move to the neighboring table, they were adamant it was only for 2 (although there was already 1 person sitting alone at a table and it was empty on a Monday night). Overall would recommend if you're looking for expensive cocktails, lacking uniqueness. read more

The Library Bar - Seasonal cocktails - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This might just be the best old fashioned I've ever had in Philadelphia. Be careful; it's strong! But the vibe was intimate, sophisticated and sultry; and it's the perfect first date spot! read more

The Library Bar - Old fashioned - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Considering myself an old fashioned connoisseur, this was hands down THE BEST old fashioned I have EVER had! Worth a trip to Philadelphia just for the opportunity to enjoy one (or many) of these babies! The homemade cinnamon bitters spritz was a surprising flavor burst! REMARKABLE! Thank you Richie for a memorable experience! read more

Visiting Philly for the weekend and decided to give the Library Bar a try. This place is worth visiting. Omar made our drinks and made the experience amazing. The attention to detail and adaptability to personal preferences was truly outstanding. read more

This is one of my favorite high-end bars in Philadelphia. The atmosphere is dark and intimate. The menu is light and curated. The service is excellent. The drinks are great as well -- I particularly stick to the whisky based recipes. There is room for improvement though. I'd expect an Old Fashioned that costs over $20 to come with one solid, clear cube of ice -- not bar ice. I'd also like it if the glasses were chilled. Those are the fine details that make the premium price tag for a cocktail well worth it. Still, this is a reliable bar to have a nice nightcap -- whether you're on a date, with friends or family, or just want to drop in for a drink and enjoy the cozy atmosphere. read more

Great bar and friendly staff. Great drinks and food. Great atmosphere highly recommend.

Indoor seating is very limited but their ambiance is much better than the outer seating area in the hotel. So make sure to go during a non-busy area! The cocktails are very good and service is amazing. I really like the complimentary olives and spicy pistachios. It is a great place to grab drinks with a date! However, they are on the pricier side. You scan the QR code to view the menu on their website. read more

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If you're looking for the perfect date night then this is the spot to be! Boyfriend planned this date and I absolutely loved it! The library bar gave off a very romantic and elegant vibe. We enjoyed our cocktails and the service was incredible as well. In addition, they also got a food menu if you're hungry. Can't wait to come back the next time I'm in town! read more

The Library Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Very cozy and classy bar. Like the location can't wait to return when I'm staying at the hotel.

Terrible service, mediocre drinks, hotel prices : what could go wrong? Twice I've been to The Library, and twice I've been hassled about where and how to take a seat. The first time, I was told I couldn't sit in a chair without having a companion occupy the other seat (he was running late). The second time, our group of three was told we couldn't stand in a corner that was designated for two. Waiters and bartenders take no pride in their work and are aloof and rude. Drinks are like those on an airplane. Too bad The Rittenhouse lets this pass. read more

My date ordered a Marg, then I ordered a non-alcoholic drink. They served me the marg and tried to pass it off as the non-alcoholic drink. Service was terrible. They charged me $27 for a marg when they messed up the order., read more

Cute and intimate spot and nice service. But because there's only a few tables it's a bit tough to get a table and they don't always add chairs in case of an extra person to accommodate. I wanted the spicy tequila drink but they had run out of the alcohol so that was a bit of a bummer. read more

Nice little spot tucked in the Rittenhouse. Sexy & intimate ambiance. Superb cocktails from the bartender Omar. read more

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It is very cute. Predictably pricey, which is not surprising considering the location. It is however extremely tiny, too very small rooms. So keep that in mind if you're planning on coming with a group. read more

One of my favorite bars in the Rittenhouse area in Philly, very cozy chilled vibes, more of that speakeasy feel. Ordered some food along with the drinks to keep that balance If you get there early enough you can score some of the good seats with the library books backdrop. read more

The Library Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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If you're looking for a unique fancy bar/lounge with creative drinks and tasty food then this is the place! The Library Bar is located in The Rittenhouse Hotel. It has as Absolutely gorgeous bar and sitting area. The lounge is decorated to resemble a library which has a fireplace, shelves with books, and a few different sitting areas for couples to enjoy. Our waiter was top notch and brought over a little table to hold our snacks and drinks. My husband enjoyed his Old Fashioned and I tried a season drink called the Ascending Dragon (which was amazing btw). Wonderful experience but on the spendy side (drinks $19+ each). Would recommend this for couples, a special occasion, or to simply enjoy a drink at a beautiful bar! read more

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We wanted to try this place out as I'm into trying all the different speakeasy bars. It's a small area. There weren't any seats at the bar but we grabbed a couch with a table which was nice. I ordered the poet's retreat because it had fig infused rum, and my husband ordered the dilbert the filbert with hazelnut infused bourbon. My drink was ok but a little too fruity and not enough alcohol, couldn't really taste the fig either. I liked my husband's drink better. I like ordering drinks that have infused alcohol in them, and for the price the drinks cost it really should be special. It was pricey at $16 a drink. I'm used to craft cocktails between the range of 12-$15. The drinks were good but we've had better elsewhere. We were given complimentary nuts and olives. The nuts were kinda salty and spicy and I don't eat olives, but it was a nice gesture. Service seemed a little slow, but it wasn't a big deal. I'm glad we checked this place out, but onto the next. read more

The Library Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I had tried to visit Library Bar once before on a Saturday night and it was super busy - but we returned recently earlier in the evening (around 7 PM on a Saturday) and had our choice of a spot at the bar or the comfy chairs. We sat at the bar and really enjoyed our cocktails. I went with a classic dirty gin martini and husband ordered the Manhattan. Both were perfectly prepared. They also provided olives and nuts, and our water glasses were never empty. Great experience and will happily return! read more

The ambiance is legendary. The live music is delightful The bartenders are sincere, committed, charming, and beyond skilled at their craft The menu refreshes with the seasons, including the meticulously prepared food items. You haven't lived unless you experience The Library. read more

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Loved this place! The ambiance was awesome & the service exceptional. We sat at the bar, and the bartender recommended great cocktail options. We loved the craftsmanship of the drinks! read more

Stopped in for a quick post-dinner cocktail. We had actually been sent here on recommendation from another bar we stopped in, The Ranstead Room. We originally sat in the lobby area at a set of the large cushy chairs with small cocktail tables, but a server came out and quickly let me know that two spots had opened at the bar that we could snag if we'd like. The bar space itself is a nice environment and the perfect place for to grab a cocktail if you're trying to impress a date. Our bartender (I believe his name was Omar) was awesome. He made me one of the best French 75s I've had outside of New Orleans. For such a simple cocktail, it's easy to mess up or make too sweet so I was very happy! The cocktails are reasonably priced for the philly area and the service from everyone was great. We will be adding The Library to our regular philly night out rotation! read more

We stopped in for a drink before dinner, we enjoyed the festive Christmas decorations and Boathouse Row gingerbread house display in the lobby. Then onto the bar, the decor is sophisticated and dark. The drink menu was a nod to Stephen King, I ordered the Needful Things. Watching our drinks being made was fascinating , the bartender explained everything- down to the ice, size does matter:) Needful Things taste like a tart, sparkling lemonade, very good. The only reason I did not give 5 stars is the price- each drink was $16. This bar is well worth the visit but very pricey. read more

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This place came up when my friend searched virgin cocktails. The menu was actually pretty sparse on that front and my friend ended up getting a fruity cocktail. I was impressed with their cocktail menu, they had a wide assortment of several different liquors which I appreciated and our server was extremely knowledgeable about flavor profiles and ingredients. He helped me pick out the perfect cocktail. It was delicious and strong. The decor is speak easy meets old money library; I really liked it. It can be on the pricier side and good for a more quiet vibe. I don't think it outprices itself out of the market. read more

I consider this a secret cocktail bar. It is inside the lobby of the hotel off to the side of the lobby and is a very classy place. I am not sure that too many people are aware of this spot. I came here on a whim and left impressed. The interior of the bar is split into two rooms. One part is an actual library area that has leather (pleather?) arm chairs while the other room (with the bar) is the bar area with padded wall seating and small tables. It is very classy in appearance and decor. Not the largest place either but it does not seem to be the busiest spot. The drink selection is extensive. There are wines, beers, and cocktails. I went for cocktails on my visit. They are about $18 each. On the higher side of the pricing range but these are classy cocktails. I would say the quality of the drink and the surrounding decor matches what I would hav expected from the price. One thing to note, the bathrooms are on the opposite side of the lobby and takes a minute to walk to. read more

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I love this bar, very tasty drinks. The bartenders are friendly and very informative. One of my favorite bars in Philly. Drinks are a little pricey, but worth it. My wife and I got multiple chartreuse and absinthe drinks for my birthday earlier this month. I've been to this bar multiple times, love the ambiance. I would definitely recommend this bar for snack and drinks. read more