LIBRARY BAR in Toronto

Great drink selection. Chris provided fantastic service. Highly recommend.

Attempted to grab a drink at the bar on a December Wednesday at 2pm. The place was half full but the hostess refused to seat us, even after we explained we had a train to catch and would not be there long enough to interfere with incoming reservations. I understand the holidays can be stressful, but Ive worked in service for over a decade in Toronto and NYC... if it truly takes this place 20 minutes to make a cocktail on a slow Wednesday, Id recommend going anywhere else.

A classy and festive stop for the season.

Deserves 6 stars. Best late-night date spot in this district of Toronto, whether you re looking for just drinks, drinks and a snack, or even all-out with a meal. I ve never had anything less than exceptional drinks and service here. The elegance of the decor increases as the night falls.

A really cool place to hang out for a drink. The bartender did his best at creating a smoked old fashioned without, the actual smoke, it was great.

This is a great place to visit with friends. Amazing cocktails. Sit at the bar for a real show. Joe is an incredible bartender!

Overrated.

Posh spot for cocktails. The drinks were excellent and the service was top notch. The staff was very attentive.

The wife and I intended on grabbing a drink at the clockwork champagne and cocktail lounge until we noticed some people shuffling into a room in the back corner called the library bar. Boy are we glad we wandered back there to see what was going on. This little bar is exactly what I d picture a tasteful cocktail lounge to be in the 1970 s (I m a little too young to know for sure). Ambiance was a 12/10, the drinks were great and the service was on point. I can t wait to go back so we can take our time and get some food as well. One of the coolest little hidden gem lounges you ll find! Well done.

Great food!

My father took me to the Royal York when I was nine years old and Ive always credited that visit as what sparked my interest and eventual career in the hospitality industry. Ive always treasured the feeling of awe I felt while walking through the hotel and consider it to be a core memory. Ive held this establishment in high esteem since then and Im really sad to say that this place was a let-down. For context, Im a career mixologist and Ive drank a martini in every single CP/CN/Grand Trunk Railway hotel in Canada, including the one I currently work at. The Library Bar was saved as the final bar in my nationwide quest and was the single worst experience out of them all. Food and drink were delicious, but our server Majid completely tarnished the entire visit. He dropped the ball multiple times throughout service. His ineptitude truly proves that service can make or break an entire guest experience. No introduction or greeting were offered. We only learned his name from what was on the final cheque. We felt unwelcome and like we had been pegged as a bad table. No suggestions on the cocktail menu were offered when prompted. He seemed to assume that my partner and I would prefer beer or wine rather than the cocktails. His indifference and side-eyed comments were both unnecessary and unwarranted. Our cocktails arrived after the appetizer had been dropped. I understand there was a hold up due to the caviar being frozen. Aside from that, the drink was dropped with no explanation or additional instructions. Seems like a missed opportunity to offer an elevated service experience for a guest, especially for a $75 masterpiece. Cutlery was cleared and not replaced between courses. I ended up having to ask the host to bring us cutlery so we could enjoy our main courses. Sadly my partners dish had gone cold by the time we received utensils. I would also like to point out that Majid passed by our table three times and topped up water at a neighboring table. No quality check was performed at our table. He offered us a plate of fries, espresso or a glass of wine to make up for the mess up. At this point we were throughly finished with the Library Bar and decided to leave before it got worse. A discount or comp on what had been ordered would have been more appropriate than fries. Service recovery should always reflect and remedy the original issue. Anyways, the lesson here is dont get too excited about a famous bar. Its like that saying about never meeting your heroes. Majid, I recommend you check your prejudice at the door, learn to sell, and perform table maintenance. I would have tipped you 50%, but left you 15%. Fairmont asks you to make moments into memories, but not like this man.

Stunning setting with a really good selection of cocktails. Service was friendly and warm. Food : 5/5

Ambiance is neat. Service times are long. I have been here 3 times, cocktails usually take 20 minutes minimum before they re served. I ll admit, we usually go when it s busy after an event. Anyhow, still, not the best. Cheers.

It s a little bit pricey but it s amazing! Service is great and drinks are perfect!

Stopped by for a quick drink and it was amazing!

Cocktails are amazing. The Martini is perfect. We went twice over the weekend. The music at night though was a bit weird though, almost a club atmosphere, didn t match the clientele

Got some after-dinner drinks and the cocktails were excellent.

There were 4 of us for dinner. Service was very good! Atmosphere was unbelievably NOISY and we just wanted to eat and leave! We could NOT actually visit with our family due to the annoying high noise level! Specialty drinks were uniquely presented but very overpriced as were the very basic and limited entées. Food-steak, prime rib, burgers were underwhelming. The Caesar salad had so much dressing, it was awful, in retrospect, should have been returned. With all the excellent restaurants in Toronto, we would NOT return!

My absolute favorite place!! All bartenders are very professional, consistent and skilled. Every time I visit, I get new experiences; never bored or bad. You will have an amazing time there with excellent drinks!

Coming from someone who has never been here before I had such an amazing experience. I was greeted by staff and they were so extremely nice and welcoming. The waiter who waited on on his name is (Terry) was such and amazing Host to our group of 3 we asked for oysters and are family member need to make a 6:02 train and we arrived at the library at 5:15 and he was able to make 2 rounds of beer and oysters possible and the kitchen staff was very fast , I am so satisfied with my evening....when you come to the library bar I encourage you to get the oysters or their parmesan fries ...I also have to mention yet again Terry was the star of arr visit top notch customer service (top tier)......

Ilda is the absolute sweetest. Made our experience a 5/5!

I was not pleased with the host and the waiter service. I found they treated me disrespect fully and I noticed they didnt other people and I felt it was discrimination. The host at the desk even raised her tone at me. This is not he sefvkr I expected at royal York and the waiter made a mistake as they turned it on me and she did a bit of blaming. I did not feel good about this experience and it I not as if they were giving me food or drinks free, I was paying and they are the servers. But I noticed even in this industry no one adits their mistake.

Googled a quiet place to have a drink, and The Library came up. Total lie! The music was the loudest, and most obnoxious Ive ever heard in a bar, and the bass was so cranked up that I could feel it in my spine. Horrible experience. Couldnt get out of there fast enough. Its called The Library! Please go back to soft light music so people can talk without shouting over the loud music! I would give this ZERO stars if I could, but to post a review, you have to give at least 1. Most disappointing. Opposite of what is advertised.

10/10 experience. it was a pleasure watching joe make our cocktails which were phenomenal. class act.

Dark and Loud but very convenient with great cocktails and service.

The Library Bar at the Royal York is small and intimate in a glorious room with fantastic creative cocktails. The Sacred Beast cocktail was a sight for the eyes and the taste buds

Went to the library bar tonight , what a fabulous place , Michael was taking care of us tonight and just want to say what a gentleman he is , so classy, and dont worry about ordering a drink that is not on the menu because they can make anything you want and likely better than anything you have had in the past , thank you Micheal ! and yes I will send you a post card from home

Yup, love the vibe in here, it s classy. Good food, drinks, and well trained serving staff. I keep going back.

Had a great time celebrating my girlfriend s birthday. Service was amazing, ambiance was great and food and drinks were worth it! Our server William was very informative and friendly.

We came by and were seated in a very reasonable timeframe. This type of bar was a little out of our comfort zone however Michael our server made us feel right at home! From amazing recommendations to witty jokes Michael really made our night something to remember! Thanks for everything!

Nice bar with great cocktails, incredible service and it was hopping on a Friday night. Really appreciated our servers wine recos. Snacks were good too can recommend the truffle fries and burrata.

Bria was amazing and made our lunch experience memorable. She recommended food and beverages. Everything was phenomenal. High recommend. The atmosphere is fun and on theme!

We went here with family for lunch last week to celebrate a major milestone in my sons life. The service was unparalleled with staff going above and beyond to make it an unforgettable day. Thank you - you made someone feel very special!

Cute bar to get drinks & food. Service was great and well knowledgeable, and the vibe was nice. Would definitely go again, the drinks were amazing & unique

The first bite of Twist of Fate was a bit bitter, and my expression was a bit strange. The bartender immediately asked: Don t you like it? I replied: Yes! Because I like it sweeter (I think life is very sweet) The bartender immediately adjusted the flavor. Wow! A wonderful sweetness spreads in my mouth. However, it is not easy for me to drink the same taste again.

I didnt have the food but my experience with drinks was phenomenal! Yes its on the pricier side but the waiter was really kind, knowledgeable and understanding of my preference in notes! I love a staff with charisma, who are incredibly courteous and know what service means! Thank you!

The atmosphere here is so nice, my waiter was very friendly and helpful. The french onion soup was delicious!! Definitely pricey but it balances out with how unique of a vibe it is here.

Love the Library Bar for a casual drink and a snack. You pay hotel prices, but its got an old school charm to it that I love, and no sports on giant TVs. Great cocktails.

We had a wonderful experience here (although there are not enough books here for me to consider it a library, it does have the correct atmosphere lol) My husband and I both had wonderful salads and awesome drinks! I also recommend the crème brûlée!

Awesome spot for craft cocktails inside the Fairmont Royal York. Everything we tried there was delicious. Beautiful & Cozy interior.

Came here for a drink while waiting for a Go Train. Would highly recommend ..

Amazing!

Very cool and classy themed bar with elevated and eclectic cocktail menu. Excellent service with moody vibe. Food options are limited but done well.

Fantastic drinks.

Many travelers coming through but everyone is very nice and polite. The service was top notch. The drinks were incredible. I am going back not just for the atmosphere but to try more of their specialty drinks!

Beautiful venue with craft cocktails based on literary works. Service, drinks and atmosphere were all wonderful. New favorite bar in Toronto!

Amazing cocktails, and lovely staff. I asked for something not on the menu and they tried creating it for me but short on one ingredient. Honest and were able to explain they were not able to make it half way through in balancing the cocktail. Loved it! Definitely recommend for amazing cocktail experience..

Great cocktails and service!

Lovely place to enjoy a cocktail. The service was top notch here. They have a fun selection of cocktails with bookish themes. They atmosphere was a bit library feel but more high end cocktail bar vibes. They can do the creme brulee gluten-free!

I ordered a Gunslinger Punch during a late afternoon on a nice weekday. It was balanced perfectly and had more complexity then I originally anticipated. The lounge was extremely packed (specially since we thought we would be going on off hours) but it makes sense as its right beside Union Station and inside a 5 star hotel. Everything from the aesthetically pleasing decor to the phenomenal service left the experience very satisfying. Its two largest faults are that it is pricier than other locations and it can be loud due to how many people they fit into the establishment. That being said, I still heavily recommend at least trying it once while in the city.

Trash bar, host said table would be ready in 20 mins and would be placed on a waitlist. Almost 1 hour later no update, asked host again she said oh well wait longer. This place is run by idiots wastee my time.

Joe was our bartender and he put on a spectacular show for making our drinks. Top shelf offerings and top shelf service. Worth visiting!

Love here for breakfast or coffee/dessert.

Drinks are 5/5. Food is average. Desserts were terrible. I ordered the close but no cigar and it was nothing like the description. The description has no chocolate in it, and it sounds light and slightly fruity, but it was the opposite of that. Basically just a thick dark slab of chocolate with a little bit of pastry cream inside. I do not like chocolate, but what came out was basically just a chocolate cigar-shaped shell with a small amount of pastry cream on the inside. I should have sent it back it was so bad. To management: being vague with menu descriptions is one thing, every restaurant does it to some degree. However when something is a chocolate dessert it should state that it is a chocolate dessert and not imply the opposite. Chocolate is gross and now Im probably going to have a migraine and spend tomorrow throwing up from your negligence.

We ve been coming to the library bar for years. We love the amazing food and the cocktails are always phenomenal! However, the key for us is the personalized service. This will alway be our family s favourite bar in Toronto!

I had the mushroom toast and one of their cocktails and it was delicious! The service was friendly but a bit too spaced out. Also for a place called Library Bar, the theme fell short. A few books on shelves and book themed cocktails with lovely quotes. But for the most part it felt like an old study. I heard they had a few more nods to the theme pre-covid, which I wish they would bring back!! A bit of a missed opportunity but still a nice place with good drinks and good food.

Met someone here for drinks. The spot has a cool speakeasy vibe - a quaint two tiered lunge with jazz music playing in the background. We were both overwhelmed and impressed by the menu. Tried the dominicana, twist of fate, and gunslinger punch cocktails. We were blown away by how smooth all the drinks were and how well the ingredients/flavors complimented each other.

The waiter was very nice and respectful and made the experience better, however the food were very overpriced. Came with friends and the hostess was extremely rude when we were taking some photos. She ruined the experience as I tried to explain that my digital camera flash was going off by accident but still called here manager whom i explained the situation too. It is an older crowd who goes here so warning if you are going to come here for the aesthetic of the place

Joe is my new favorite bartender, he was very skilled and entertaining, the drinks were great but we would return for him alone.

One of the best bars Ive ever been to. Next time I go to Toronto, Im staying in this hotel just so I can go to this bar every night. The drinks were perfect, service was great, and the whole vibe is on point.

My fiance and I planned a lunch at the Library Bar for our immediate families (11 people) to celebrate our elopement coming up in June. It was an absolutely wonderful event, from planning the details with Teresa, who was so accommodating and friendly, to the staff that served us during our special lunch; we all really enjoyed both our meals and the atmosphere. The food was delicious and the service amazing, thank you for such a memorable event!

Had an amazing house espresso martini here. No food, hopefully next time. Service is top class, ambience is another level, just gorgeous. Highly recommend

My experience here was exceptional. The serving staff was so attentive, but not over the top. The food was delicious, and very accommodating to gluten free. The wine is beautiful, and the food is fresh. The music and ambience is cool, relaxing and sophisticated. Wonderful experience. Terry and Will were amazing. Wonderful service!

The service was amazing, especially our server CJ who provided us with a very accommodating and joyful experience. We look forward to coming again!

Beautiful Bar, Tasteful ambience, Wonderful decor - however, I d love to see some actual books lying around for the patrons to read there. It s called the library bar, after all. Dietary restrictions: Gluten-Free food available

Hands down to this place. The atmosphere is amazing. Good music, good food and great staff. My wife and I loved it!

Library Bar in an intimate cocktail bar hidden within the Fairmont Royal York hotel. Although Library Bar has also been known as the bar for martini drinkers, the offering has evolved considerably thanks the appointment of the 2021 World Class global winner James Grant as the Director of Mixology. Grant still pays homage to the martini tradition at Library Bar with the Birdbath martini, featuring their own craft gin QUILL having bright and earthy tones. The Birdbath martini is served directly in front of the guest in a custom mixing glass in the classic or luxe version, adding a soft pretzel and sturgeon caviar. Grant drew inspiration from literature and film when developing the menu, grouping drinks under the categories Masterpieces, Poetry, Folklore, Science Fiction and Bestsellers. My favorite from Science Fiction is Sacred Beast, with Michters bourbon, charred habanero, mezcal, verjus, Lap Sang Su Chong and the exciting cinnamon explosion garnish. Not to be missed at Library Bar is the highly addictive bar food, especially the fried chicken with hot honey butter sauce, smoked blue cheese, herbs. I still dream about this dish months later!

Stopped by for a round of drinks, before we went for dinner. Really enjoyed the ambiance and the cocktail menu. The drinks are very well prepared and though a bit pricey, this is a must visit spot. Will definitely be back again.

From the moment arriving having cost check, fantastic seat the bar to watch the drink being made and being served in a timely matter. Ended up stopping by twice for a couple drinks each night of my staff at the Fairmont Royal York. Cheers.

Cozy, elegant atmosphere. Creative and surprising cocktails. Will have to come back to try the food.

Joe made my night by sharing his passion for his trade and made a fantastic cocktail.

We highly recommended! we so impressed by the over the top Mixologists, Riley and Joe welcoming us with their great entertainment with the amazing cocktails, personality, enthusiasm, food service and atmosphere. Thank you so much to Riley, Joe, Chris and Keelin. for this 2 night in your bar. In November 25, 2023. it was an an absolute pleasure to be there from the beginning until the end. for the highest level of hospitality and professionalism that your team provided us, to me and my wife. Keeling (Host)was very polite; she was always with a kind smile. And she also provided us with a seat at the Library Bar. We will definetly coming back for them in our next journey at the Fairmont!

Food was delicious and I really liked the wine. Shoutout to the waiters, who were all very kind and friendly

Excellent spot for lunch and to talk business.

Drinks are awesome, but foods can be better. Decoration and atmosphere is very nice and beautiful. Food

FOOD: Oysters: oysters are tiny. Tastes ok, nothing really special so not recommend. LB Burger: it was good, lots of fries, soft bun and tender patty. But I like the Bay Street more. Bay Street: its a big sandwich, decent amount of meat. I like the rib, very flavorful. I couldnt finish it because its so much. Bourbon Cream Brûlée: I was disappointed because I couldnt tastes any brandy flavor in it. Generally its a good cream brulee, and big. DRINKS: cocktails are theme based, I like the Ghost Ships, I thought itd be very strange as it has banana, green tea and coconut rum together. Turns out its pretty easy to drink. SERVICE: top notch, very professional. VIBE: the place look like a library, but very elegant, high end. The details in decoration is amazing.

Loved the classic gin martini. And definitely recommend trying the cocktail with the electric daisy.

If you re around it s a good choice, but I wouldn t go there specifically. Cocktails were OK(really subtle on taste and booze) but nothing remarkable, service was courteous, the music was too loud for a conversation without sitting at the tip of my seat. Just not the best experience overall compared to other cocktail bars around the city. I didn t try the food.

Excellent cocktails and wonderful bartenders

Love the environment of the Library Bar. The drinks are delicious and the experiences are enjoyable. Friendly service and timing for drinks and food is spot on.

Some of the best service you will experience in this city. The two gentlemen behind the bar are artists and will ensure you have the best experience possible.

We always attend the Clock Tower but this was our first visit to The Library Bar. Its a cozy elevated historic vibe kind of venue with 5-star service. The craft cocktails are very good and creative. We did not eat on this visit. The music was just right giving a good vibe while still allowing us to Converse easily. There is often a wait to enter but its worth it, especially if you are having a romantic evening

Really loved to try different cocktails that I never had before. Some really innovative ones in the science fiction section.

Didn t try the food but the drinks were absolutely stellar

My sister and I went here for some drinks and dinner the other night and had the best time! The bar is so cozy and a dream for two bookworms like ourselves. The truffle Brussels sprouts and Dominicano cocktail were to die for! BIG shout out to our server Anwar, who was incredibly attentive and made our time there memorable. Thanks to him we ll definitely be back soon! Thank you Anwar!

Visited this place for fancy cocktails and they did not disappoint. Had a very classy vibe and the decor and outstanding service made you feel like royalty. A must visit for anyone travelling to Toronto whether for business or leisure. Kid-friendliness: It is not kid friendly

Amazing place. I recommend making a reservation before 2:30pm, otherwise you might have to wait for a table. But the wait is worthwhile. Great service, amazing cocktails, and luxurious atmosphere. My highest recommendations.

Library Bar is the exclusive and most predominant bar in all of Toronto. Located right in the heart of Downtown Toronto on Front Street, located right in the heart of the Fairmont Royal York Hotel , the Library Bar offers you a new restaurant that delivers on class, style and timeless moments. The staff at the Library Bar are the best in the business. They do treat you with respect, care and help you out as much as possible in order to ensure that you do have a great evening. When I arrived at Library Bar, I had one of their premier cocktails as it was a Gin Martini and I combined that with an order of oysters and it went down as one of the fresh ones and the Greatest combinations that is known to man. The atmosphere at Library Bar is really cool, slick and sophisticated. Everyone and everything is dressed to perfection and be sure to make your reservations in place as this bar gets busy very quickly.

Ilda was our host when we arrived the bar and she was so amazing, attentive, and friendly the entire time we were there. The food and cocktails were a delight and our experience with Ilda made it that much better. She has made us future customers for sure.

Mixology director, James Grant... His creativity and hospitality is second to none. Library Bar is lucky to have him.

Amazing cocktail selection. Creative menu and classy atmosphere.

Great place to go for a special weekend lunch or a weekday after work get away. Really like the trio of open face sandwiches and the Roast beef sandwich

The service was great. We were told a 15 minute wait but were seated within 5 minutes. Our server was very professional and you could tell he enjoyed helping the clients. I was disappointed with the Heartland as the falafel was extremely well done. For my taste it was a bit spicy We also had the Bay Street and feedback was positive. Loved the tea carafe and cups as I could get two cups of tea after dinner without asking for a water refill.

Very good atmosphere and service! Good drinks, but much more expensive than average

Great drinks and good food

Great start to the weekend with a handcrafted drink called Curator. Pricey at $85 CAD but I like to challenge my palate. The roast beef sandwich and fries were most awesome. The staff was attentive and friendly. Would return!

Great bar thats easy to miss if you dont know its there. Feels a little like a hidden gem. Sat at the bar and the bartenders are mesmerizing to watch while they prepare various drinks. Excellent ambience and a great way to spend a couple of hours. Kid-friendliness: Not child friendly

Our waiter Terry was the most charming!

Quirky, interesting venue with delicious drinks!

Great drinks. Great food. Great server. Condescending rude hostess - Friday Jan 12th 2024

One of the coziest bars in Toronto, the service and drinks are excellent

They dont care about their customers, they give priority to customers from outside the hotel...

Drinks were extraordinary. The atmosphere is also perfected. Service, however, felt off. Our server was cold and a bit standoff-ish. At first I assumed he was just quiet and giving us space, but after observing his attentiveness and interactions with other customers it felt off. It was almost impossible to get his attention for ordering more.

One of the servers was very poor, After having the waiters butt in my face for 5 minutes! While he explains the menu to the next table. No straw or spoon to mix the cocktail, we ask for a straw, it arrives when we are almost finished....Then the waiter insults me because I dont have tipped enough! When you provide such service in this type of chic establishment...you must serve in a fast food place.

We were a group of 6 but we weren t seated in a normal table, it was awkward and small, nice restaurant though. Food was average and the place was too crowded and noisy.

Great atmosphere, wings were perfectly sticky and messy, beer was great.

Fantastic Buffalo fried chicken and fries.

Great service ....most people think they cant just walk into a 5 star hotel to have a drink or lunch, please dont be afraid and try it out. Perfect place and weekend. Thanks again Fairmount!

Overwhelmingly delicious

Beautiful decor and drinks. The food was fantastic!! Everything was very expensive. They use really quality ingredients and alcohol.

Best cocktail I ever had. Vibe is so vintage. I loved this place

The steak was absolutely incredible! Service was great, servers were extremely friendly. Definitely will return.

Great environment, drinks and food. Cant wait to enjoy this experience again!

My colleagues and I came here just for drinks last night and the overall experience was outstanding. The cocktails were to die for, the service was top notch, and the vibes of the whole place were immaculate. We were first greeted by Ilda who immediately made us feel SO welcome - she was so kind and fun. Terry was our server and he never missed a chance to make sure we were being taken care of. Overall 5/5 and will be returning when visiting Toronto again!

The staff were lovely, drinks tasty and love the vibes of this bar. It s not very big but it s cozy. I didn t like one of the drinks and the bartender made me something else.

Not the nicest part of the Fairmont. Missed opportunity with the re-do to truly lean into the library aspect.

Such a classy place. Beautiful ambience. Amazing service. Have tried number of cocktails and there is always more to these cocktails, you cant judge it with one sip. A place to bring your date if you want to impress her. Its inside Fairmont hotel. We always have desserts here and the best is Bourbon Creme Brulle, its huge and can be shared by 2.

I went here after work with co-workers and the mood of the place was really nice. We couldnt get into CLOCKWORK, so we ended up at Library Bar, but it was nice and tucked in. The noise level was perfect for chatting with the group. The drinks and foods are pricy. For the price, drink was pretty good, but not 5/5 because I have been to other speakeasy with exceptional drinks. We only had french fries, but it was good. Server was super fast and friendly. I enjoyed the experience and would come back again.

The Library Bar was once my favourite lunch-hour or after-work spot for a quick drink / light meal. A recent visit, however, was sullied by the haughty, dismissive nature of the barkeep. When I ordered non-alcoholic beers, his look went from ingratiating to derisory. And when it came time to pay the bill--a hefty $85 for four drinks, two of which required no work whatsoever, being bottled Becks--he seemed put out. Evidently, a $15 tip (that is, 20% on the pre-tax total) is nowadays deemed insufficient recompense for the complex task of opening two bottles and mixing two cocktails). This experience soured me on the Library Bar, which is a shame considering the many relaxing, convivial times Ive enjoyed at this establishment. Management would be well advised to look to the respectful, seasoned staff once employed at this bar than to the tetchy millennials who now hold court from behind the bar taps. I must say that the hotel as a whole is managed much better than its Montreal counterpart, The Queen Elizabeth--but that, my friends, is the subject of another review. I do, however, recommend the bathrooms. Stop by en route to the ballgame or a concert. They beat the public latrines, hands down.

classic with great service

Food and service was great until I wanted to have my food packed and was asked to do it myself. I was so shocked. The Fairmont I visited in Ottawa packed my food, as with other upscale places I ve visited in the past two weeks. I regret leaving a tip and will never come back.

Ordered oysters, fries, proscituo, beet hummus and drinks... tasty food, delicious drinks, upscale environment and bar. Thursday afternoon at 3 30pm and it was a full house

Excellent service.

Amazing cocktails and great service. Unique atmosphere as well.

Very nice place to have a drink. The atmosphere is very pleasant, the servers attentive. The style inside is really nice, now I wonder if we can book them

Love this old fashioned style bar. Service is always great, the same as atmosphere.

Great atmosphere. The team here are all very attentive. Drinks and dessert (Close, but no cigar and Creme Brulee) were amazing. Our bartender (Meiko) was just amazing.

I had the amore cocktail with tequila and that was the best drink I tried from what we ordered. The espresso martini was okay, I ve tried a better one from Voodoo cocktail bar. Our server, Brie(?), was excellent! She was attentive and made our stay worthwhile. This is a nice bar to catchup with friends or with your date.

The recently renovated Library Bar at the Royal York Hotel serves some of the best cocktails in Toronto. I especially recommend the Birdbath martini, made with bespoke overproof gin (or vodka) and bespoke vermouth. Truly a masterpiece.

Our server Briya was outstanding. She gave such amazing service and was so kind to us. Thank you so much to Briya and all the staff for making us amazing cocktails and giving us a dessert. We are so appreciative and you made our birthday celebration a special one. Thank you again!

I gave this place a 5 star review 3 years ago and needed to update it. It is not the bar of before. It lost its classic old school bar feel after it got renovated. Over priced ,no more bar nuts ,no more beer taps. They used to make one of the best classic Martini in the city. Mix it in front of you and leave the shaker. Now it is small over priced and average. We lost another classic old school bar to fancy designer cocktails. Wont be back again.

Went for drinks. The bar is really nice with a great ambience. Our server Joe was very nice and suggested great options. We didn t have any food. The drinks were well made, delicious and creative.

Delicious food and beverage options. Impeccable service. Great for a date or a quiet weekend brunch.

Perfection.

Great place with unique and elegant drinks. Service was outstanding

Comfortable, but the lobby is noisy in addition to the loud music

Great choice of drinks for hard liquor lovers..their oysters and fried chicken are a must try!

Really enjoyed the cocktails and the creative thinking behind the menu! Loved the decor, felt classic with some modern touches!

Excellent service and magnificent cocktail.

Amazinggggg!!!!!!! The drinks, the atmosphere, the service. 5 Star experience. Renee was amazing. Give that man a bonus! Drinks were incredible . We had a pasta custom made for us from scratch. Beautiful interior , music, vibe, all of it. It couldnt be more perfect.

The best martini in Toronto... Thanks for attending my Ted talk, I wont be taking questions... Food : 5/5

If you are a connoisseur of liquors, you need to try the very interesting creations that Library Bar has to offer.

Beautiful, good service, but moody.

Excellent staff! Renee made our night

Invited for cocktails, we were quickly seated and provided menus. Birdbath Martinis with the accompanying mixed olives arrived quickly and did not disappoint nor the show like way they are served by clean, well dressed Staff who know what they are doing. The 1/2 dozen oysters as a side dish were disappointing in size and with nothing more than a sprig of over powering cilantro to go with it. A shame.

Ugh. What a cool place. Our bartenders were so friendly and accommodating. The drinks are unbelievable. Unique, thoughtful and delicious. If youre interested in a really unique atmosphere and excellent drinks, you need to check this place out.

The staff was incredible! Ilda did her very best to get us in as quickly as possible. She was such a delight along with the staff!

Beautiful atmosphere & service. The cocktail program is on point, a must stop in Toronto.

Hands down the absolute best burger I have ever had!

Great drinks and hospitality.

Such an amazing place!! Not cheap. Ha ha

The Library Bar is one of my favourite places in Toronto! The food is tasty, the drink list is classy, the staff are very friendly, and, of course, the decor is fabulous!

Decent food and great service

Incredible space with complex and innovative cocktail creations. Joe is the best, be sure to sit at the bar and watch the mastery of him and his team!

The mushroom toast was nice. And they made a pretty good mocktail as well. The space was pretty beautiful also.

I don t write many reviews but have to mention that our waiter on Wednesday afternoon of October 18 2023 exemplified both service and presentation. And a splendid martini as well. So well done.

The front host Ilda was super gentle in nature in advising us of the level of wait for a spot in the library bar. She was extremely pleasant without being over the top. Accommodating and charming she was and fantastic smile and engagement with the patrons. Chris, one of the servers is always spectacular and attentive and Joe behind the bar creates magic in every cocktail. Such a wonderful place to spend time and if you are lucky enough to return they do a fantastic job or recalling small details about your last visit with them. Thank you for always making me feel like I am apart of the Fairmont Family.

This is one of my favourite places. It has a wonderful atmosphere with tremendous food and some of the best cocktails Ive ever had -- inventive, poetic cocktails. I love it here.

Food was okay. Very discouraging service. We were three Asian women served by a white haired man with white beard last night. The server was rude and indifferent, with no introduction to beverages at all. No greetings, no thank yous. He was literally starring at us and frowning the whole time. However, he was rather polite and friendly to other tables. Felt strongly racially discriminated.

So awesome incredible experience

Wonderful decor and ambience, great place for cocktails and something to eat. The Divine Comedy(Drink) was great, the drink did take a while to get though.

Great drinks and apps. Vibe is relaxed and friendly. The look is cool.

Kind of loud.. high concept, low delivery.

Mushroom toast is filling yet light. Also tasty! Highly recommend getting.

Amazing service. Great drinks and tasty food. What more do you want!

Great drinks and delicious oysters. we paid $300 for 5 of us to have 2 drinks each plus oysters. Fun atmosphere. Pleasant wait staff. Fun background music. Sound level medium. Can hear the person next to you but difficult to have cross-table conversations.

Jason s service was great. Love the Christmas vibe.

Great vibe!

My recent visit to the Library Bar at the Fairmont was unfortunately marred by a disappointingly long wait that far exceeded the initial estimate. While the ambiance and decor of the bar were undoubtedly charming, the customer service and management of the waitlist left much to be desired. Upon arriving at the Library Bar, we (our party of 2) were informed that there was a 15-minute wait, a reasonable delay that we were willing to wait out for the sake of enjoying the venue. Regrettably, what was promised as a short wait turned into an astonishingly long ordeal that lasted a staggering two hours. The lack of transparency and communication from the staff about the prolonged delay only added to the frustration. We were left in the dark, wondering when our turn would finally come. Management should prioritize accurate wait time estimates and clear communication to prevent customers from feeling neglected.

Truly an amazing experience. The atmosphere is warm and welding, a great place for conversation. The drinks are from another world all the way from the classic martinis to the science fiction creations. We were so fortunate to have Terry as an incredible server and fountain of knowledge. Having such a great staff with such a passion for cocktails really made an unforgettable experience.

Best Cocktails in Toronto

Jazz. Martini. Feels. Good.