The Library

02/10/2008 Posted by brandnew10

Alright... how to begin? This IS the lower east side bar. You have to be looking for an experience if you're going to have a good time here- the main attractions are the crazy kung fu/ horror movies playing on constant rotation, the ridiculously loud punk music, and rock-n-roll bartendresses. They will give you an attitude, and if you want to keep up you have to have a sense of humor . This place is not pretentious- the bathrooms are nasty (and I can personally attest to having quickies in there), the drinks (especially the shots) are very large and very strong, and the music and regulars can be obnoxious. This is what people miss about the LES. If you keep your eyes open you can meet awesome people here. As in artists, Burning Man attendees, body piercers and the like.

Pros: THE les bar

Cons: Not relaxing, you have to be confident to have any fun.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

07/02/2007 Posted by carpenter816

I've travelled all over the world both as a tourist and on business, but I must say that this is the greatest dive that I've ever seen. It possesses both the charm of a centuries old irish pub and the hipness of an old-school punk bar. The bartenders are skilled yet down to earth. Be sure to stop in on a Thursday to see Kristin. She must have been the most endearing whiskey-slinger that I've ever met. After all, it's not every day that a hundred-pound girl can outdrink me.

Pros: Everything

Cons: There's only one

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

11/25/2006 Posted by eastvillagekids

you can walk into library bar any day , at any time and you are guaranteed to leave drunk and with a smile on your face. girls are always welcomed - I recently ended up in there on a saturday afternoon with my girlfriends and we had such an fab time getting drunk with the super sweet bartender. Best of all we never felt uncomforable with our fellow boy customers at any time. PS.. best jukebox in NYC, best bloody-marys from Kristen , best Margaritas from Judy

Pros: Friendly lushy bartenders, cheap drinks, great jukebox

Cons: can get super busy

10/21/2006 Posted by heapchk

This was amazingly average. Not great, not bad. Drinks were not too water downed nor too strong. Menu wasn't particularly impressive nor noticeably lacking, the clientele wasn't especially pretty or epecially ugly. Just average in every way. If you happen to be in the neighborhood, it's as good a bar to visit as any other. But probably not worth a special trip.

09/15/2006 Posted by emotingdoodie

this place is by far one of the most entertaining spots to drink in mid afternoon... The bartender is always talkative and there are no egos lurking. The locals are entertaining themselves! You never know whos gonna enter on an average afternoon! The girls are usually making crafts like happy hour cards and get pretty vulgar..just how i like it! Make sure you offer them a shot because they are always up for it! Watch out for the haunted toilets though...esp. weekends when there is a puddle of yellow to step over..

Pros: Kendra Kristin Jaime Christine and Taco

Cons: mysterious bathrooms haha

09/14/2006 Posted by pooland

I love this bar. The bartenders are really nice, and the drinks are strong. It is a favourite for the true locals of the LES, and the regulars are real interesting. No posers, just real people. They play weird B movies on the projector with n@ked chicks, which is pleasent but also creepy. The bartenders are really fun and crazy. Characters. I had a sh1t load of fun at this bar. Highly reccomended.

Pros: Alchol

Cons: You have to give them money or they wont give you it.

09/11/2006 Posted by fredisdead

Great bar.... even better jukebox! The bartenders are always friendly and make their drinks strong as hell.

Pros: soap and toiletpaper always in the bathroom, jamie, kristen

Cons: bathroom is gross

09/10/2006 Posted by sir_osis_of_liver

Best bloody mary I have ever had. First of all the bartender made a homemade batch of hot pepper vodka and pickled spicy beans. My favorite thing about this place is the service. The bartender always seemed to know when I needed my drink refilled no matter how busy the bar got. Also they have awesome drink specials. 2 for 1 anything behind the bar. And the girl who works sunday night is freakin hot.

Pros: service

09/26/2005 Posted by killmeplease

I love the bartenders and I love kendra. The place is great and just an all aorund fun time.,

04/03/2004 Posted by divedrinker

library used to be one of the coolest bars, that is, until the owners hired some bartenders that just don't have the personality for the job. they lack a sense of connectedness and fun, and they're just kind of miserable. BUT other things haven't changed-if you like good independent label music and hanging out with interesting, smart, artistic, somewhat antisocial people (aside for some suits that hang out during h-hour) then this is the place. Don't try to make friendly with the new bartenders, just get your 2 for 1 and play your smiths social distortion and big star.

Pros: indie rock juke, happy hour, bar views onto street

Cons: , corny owners, sometimes too loud