The Library Bar

Great atmosphere for a cocktail bar. Dim, swanky, high end feel. Delicious, unique cocktails. I loved that the server explained each cocktail to us too when serving them. Come here for the experience not just the drinks!

Unfortunately the staff were uncomfortably unpleasant with servicing clientele this night. It’s a very small space and the drink/ menu items don’t hold up to standard.. Most embarrassing was the staff getting short with a traveler who said he was a general staying at the hotel and didn’t pay so much money to be treated as he was. I was shocked at how awkward it was to witness. I tried to enjoy took a pic here, spent $145, but I could have passed. Definitely try out another place if you can nearby, although love the concept of a library bar

A nice bar but VERY expensive, just OK cocktails at $24. I've been to much nicer places in NYC and London with more interesting drinks that cost around $17-$20. I do not recommend and will not be coming back.

Great cocktails surrounded by books. Waiter brings you pistachios and olives with your cocktails. Delicious!

Went here on recommendation of a friend who grew up in Philly. What an outstanding cocktail lounge! Truly one of the fanciest, most interesting martinis I have ever been served. The price isn't a joke, but it was worth it for the experience.Tucked into a hotel lobby, it feels like a best kept secret. I could've hung out there for a long time if I hadn't had other engagements to attend to.

This place is a lot smaller than it looks on the website. If you have more than 4 people you will have to sort outside the library room. That being said, the drinks are good (if very pricey) and the service is excellent. All in all though there are better options close by.

Great place! Ambiance is as close to perfect as you can get. This is a perfect location for meeting friends with a really nice cocktail in your hand or for sitting quietly and enjoying a book with a really nice cocktail in your hand. In fact, it's the first place I've ever felt comfortable just sitting quietly and reading a book by myself, and the cocktails were delicious. The bartenders are pleasant and accommodating. It's expensive, but the whole experience is worth it. Can't wait to go back!

The atmosphere is upscale and quiet, the staff are friendly and professional. The caliber of the drinks are good...but they need to be great, and right now they aren't. On the whole we have to evaluate value against quality, and these beverages just don't deliver considering what you are paying. Many of the cocktails are original but still using 3 or 4 off the shelf ingredients nothing particularly brave, so the balance and execution has to be perfect here but unfortunately it needs work. If the prices were halved I'd likely feel differently.

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?!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.,

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.

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!

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

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!

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.

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.

Loungy, dim lit, classy and romantic - best way to describe the Library Bar. I love the ambience - very expensive looking upholstery. Pretty good selection of drinks as well. Love the service, the servers are very attentive and friendly. Definitely recommend to start a date night and wouldn't go with a group of loud friends lol.

I'M OBSESSED!! The cocktails are delicious, you can't go wrong with whatever you order - and there is quite the selection. The mixologists are patient though, so take your time asking for a recommendation that aligns with your preferences. The ambiance is very cocktail bar-esq, but positively different because the chairs and couches are spaced so that you can have a little privacy or a bit of interaction. I highly recommend this spot!

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!

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!

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.

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.

What an elegant place. I came here with a friend and we just needed a break from the noise, crowd, pushing and shoving. We popped in to this most elegant bar and found a jazz band playing. We ordered drinks and they were delicious craft cocktails. This is a beautiful place, filled with style from a forgotten time. Go classy, dress up, be a lady or a gentleman and enjoy grace and ease while listening to some tunes. Sometimes it is nice to be able to hold a conversation without having to yell at the person next to you. A wonderful place to start to end a date.

Beautiful place. Nice staff. Very quiet and private. Way beyond my price range but 1 night a year I treat myself. I glad I chose the Library

Worst service I've had in a very long time. It took a long time to even get the menus - longer for them to take the order- and even longer to get a drink. When we finished our first round the server walked by our table numerous times without asking us if we needed anything. I finally had to get up to ask another server for our check. When I told her we would have gotten another drink but the service took too long, she didn't even apologize. This would have been understandable if it was crowded, but no one was waiting for a table or anything. We were extremely disappointed with how we were treated and will not be returning.

Awesome spot! Has very classy almost speakeasy-esque vibes to it. We ordered the Blue Moon cocktail to start out which was extremely smooth. We followed with an Old Fashioned which again was great; felt on the stronger side. 10/10 would recommend to anyone wanting to enjoy some solid vibes any evening with a good cocktail

This is the place to go if you want a thoughtfully prepared, practically perfect cocktail. You might wait a bit, but it will be worth it. Omar didn't skip a beat with our orders that were off menu and had unique suggestions that were completely on point. This bar is a hidden gem

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.

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.

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.

Loved this place. The drinks are divine and you can't get much swankier than the Rittenhouse Hotel. While the drinks were superb and strong I wish there was more seating in the actual library. The bar area was closed off when we went and the "library" was full so we had to sit in the lobby. It was cozy, but very cold and not as intimate or quaint as the actual library. Would still come back 100%. Great place for a night cap or after dinner drinks.

If you haven't checked out the Library Bar, you should definitely stop in for a drink. The head bartender, Richie, is not only incredibly personable with a focus on superior customer service but he is also an amazing bartender. He has been very accommodating when a few of our beloved cocktails were no longer on the menu and makes sure each drink he makes is crafted to perfection. The Library Bar has a great ambiance and live music on Saturday nights but it is the bartenders like Richie that make this place a cut above the rest!

My boyfriend and I found this place spontaneously after seeing a show at the Mann Center. We came after midnight for a night cap. The service was excellent and the drinks were wonderfully made. We could have sat there all night and continued drinking but unfortunately the bar had to close. Kudos to having multiple drinks with egg/egg white on the menu. It's my favorite and extremely hard to find! Next time I come to Philadelphia, I plan to stay at this hotel because service at the bar greatly echoed what I feel the service of the hotel would be. I featured my drinks on my Instagram blog and I definitely plan to do the same with my future hotel stay. Thank you Library for the excellent service. I certainly plan to be back again!

What a cool find! Wonderful cocktails tucked away in a dark and sophisticated library. My husband and I brought our own books and enjoyed great drinks and read for awhile before dinner. Highly recommend as a before or after dinner stop.

The ambience is intimate. Nice for groups but seating is very very limited. It is first come first serve and you seat yourself. The service is okay, very slow and understaffed. The drinks are good, didn't have a problem. I felt like it varied on how strong the drinks were.

Came here because of several high ratings via Yelp, my girlfriend thought it looked cute and was very excited to check it out. Arrived here on a Saturday night and the jazz trio was playing, very nice touch to the ambience. As a group left, we snagged the seats, and it seemed to be a "Please Seat Yourself" situation. The glasses and even the check from the previous group sat in front of us for at least 5 minutes, and we were overlooked because understandably it may have seemed that we were hanging around with drinks (but they were there prior to our arrival). This should have been the first red flag for this place, because with only ~4 tables in one room, and then a few other tables and a bar (~5-6 seats) in the other room, there was zero acknowledgment from them despite at least 3-4 staff attending to other patrons. Afterwards, it took my girlfriend physically moving the glasses to the bar, and more or less handing the previous parties' check over to the waiter that they then acknowledged us, without any thanks nonetheless. Then, they departed and it took them about 10min to acknowledge us again to ask us for the order - mind you they really only have drinks to take care of, and we made several attempts to get their attention, including literally walking up to their faces and asking if they can serve our table (that they left not too long ago and they forgot to get the previous parties' check). Drinks were good. Strong. Old Fashioned with Maker's Mark. But the drinks aren't enough to bring up the lackluster service rating. I'd rather be stuck on a Frontier flight sandwiched between crying babies, because then it is merely by coincidence that the situation is the way it is, not on purpose like this service was at the Library Bar. Also, I actually opened some books to peruse them, and lots of the pages were ripped out and/or not taken care of. Apparently simply charging $18-20 as the lowest price of a drink and putting books in a place makes it "fancy." I don't recommend coming here unless you enjoy terrible service. Other patrons also were visibly upset at the lack of customer service, so this made me decide to write a review so their disdain won't go unnoticed on top of mine.

We were refused service because we were 3 people and one of us would have had to stand at the bar. We were treated as though we were not worthy to be in the bar. I have worked in Philly for over 25 years and my friends have both lived in Philly for years and have never been treated so terribly. Had drinks at Scarpetta which made up for the ego-bruising. This bar needs to get over itself.

Amazing bar experience here! Showed up on a Friday night around 1030 and there was a live jazz trio in the lounge area. The bar itself is separated from the hotel in a really cool and dark wood based space. The bartenders are friendly and knowledgeable, and the 16 dollar price tag for a cocktail is actually worth it! We got drinks made with carrot bitters and blow torches lemons, so cool.

Such a great bar! Grab seats by the fireplace if you can. They have a great cocktail and wine list. A little pricey for sure but great for a special occasion! They give you complimentary snacks too - nuts & olives. I always think that is a nice touch for a cocktail bar!

Very intimate and classy bar without being pretentious! The staff and bartenders have always been really great every time. The new spring cocktail list has just come out so def recommend trying them. The Man Made Mile was essentially an adult strawberry milkshake with a mezcal base. The RH is also a solid drink if you enjoy cocktails with egg whites.

The atmosphere is the reason to come here. The library bar is aptly named; it's nestled into The Rittenhouse Hotel among bookshelves and leather chairs that you can picture your grandpa sitting in wearing a sweater vest and reading glasses. As for the drinks...not my style. I ordered the forbidden fruit; it was so strong that I felt lile I was taking a shot of gin with each sip. Maybe that's just how real cocktails are supposed to taste when you're all sophisticated and schmoozing with the neighbors, but it was too intense for my palate.

Great bar, with perfect drinks. Bartenders were very friendly and attentive. Would come back!

I stumbled upon this Bar while waiting for my Brother who was staying at The Rittenhouse. It was very classy, a place where my wife and I were able to just relax, unwind and have a conversation without having to yell to hear each other. However, what made it a beautiful and memorable experience are the Bartenders, or now we call them our Librarians, Richie and Drew. Richie made the most amazing Old Fashioned cocktail. I have been recommending The Library to everyone that I work with in Rittenhouse as well as to all my Friends including our Clients who come to our spa. Richie and Drew always deliver first class service! By the way, the duck soup is delicious and great comfort food for the Fall!

We were very excited to come here, and sat down with a group. My girlfriend and I were given glasses of water, and when we said we didn't want an alcoholic beverage they TOOK THE WATER GLASSES AWAY. Honestly have never been to such an uppity snobbish place. Man, save your time.

My SO and I went late on a Saturday night. TBH, we loved this place. The drinks were great -- not what you'd expect for a hotel bar. Prices were ~$16/drink. Not my favorite price point, but these days seems to be the going rate for a big city craft cocktail bar. And considering it's a hotel bar, it's not too bad I guess. Anyway, my SO and I liked the vibe of the place. Nice interior decorating, soft background music, etc. We sat at the bar (it was quiet) and got to talking with the head bartender. I hate to say it, but I didn't catch his name. He's a great dude, fun to talk with, and really knows his stuff if you want to chat booze. The service was easily one of the most pleasant experiences I've had at a bar in a long time. Next time we're in Philly, my SO and I look forward to a return visit. I don't say that often (most of the time, my review can be summarized as "It was good, kind of expensive, glad we tried it, but will happily explore the options.") Not this place. We'd go out of our way to return.

The Library Bar at The a Rittenhouse is literally a niche off the lobby in an ante room. The Bar is an attempt at an old world library with dark wood and comfy old leather seats. Outside and leading to the bar is a walkway which the band plays. Too well lit for my taste for a musical environment, but not quite sufficiently acoustically separate from the front desk of the a Rittenhouse Hotel. A nice divergence for hotel guests and locals. The listeners, not quite focused on the performance but rather on conversation and ordering food and drink. The quartet played jazz music through the night with a holiday flair. The servers are excellent and pulled me away from the bar, asked what I drink and promptly returned with my drink. They don't serve Jack, but I won't hold it against them, Makers Mark it is. I'm not picky .. I wanted a seat to enjoy the music and one promptly presented itself, so this venue is not crowded and has decent rotation. The audience did not appear to be here for jazz, venue way too bright, and still feels like the lobby of the hotel. Oh, but it is. Not altogether fatal but not on my list for a jazz club in Philadelphia. If you enjoy hotel faire you'll enjoy this as an accompaniment to your upscale stay. As a stand alone jazz experience, it stands alone. The music was appropriate for the venue--upscale and not one of the musicians overdosed on heroine. Off to Chris's Jazz....for a late nite..,

Wanted to write this Review for the Library Bar. Great place to go Grab drinks with a date as for myself it would be with my Wife. It is my go to place before or after dinner for a night cap. Let me tell your Local Librarian aka Bartender. What he creates doesn't just taste good but is an Art. Would blow your mind and your dates. If you want to go drink there are plenty of bars but if you want to have a piece of Art that you can take a picture of and enjoy with a smile Richie Tray at the Library is the place to be.

Stumbled upon the library bar after a long long day of walking around the whole city and it felt like a cozy intimate oasis - with incredible drinks. We were promptly greeted by Heather who provided amazing service (and drinks and snacks) all evening. It was like she could anticipate our needs before they even happened and I have rarely found that level of customer service (especially at a hotel bar!). The drinks, ambiance and food were all phenomenal and the bar made the random drinks (that were not on the menu) to perfection. I don't want to share this hidden gem with folks - but I feel like I have to because I need you to have this experience. Thanks again to Heather for making our evening exceptionally perfect.

Drinks were sweet, live music set the scene...classy place. John, our server was amazing, such great service. Come have a drink at library bar and ask for John.