The Library
Dive Bar$$$$
East Village, New York
The experts at The Corcoran Group and Serious Eats recommend this place
"One of the best jukeboxes I've ever come across."(17 Tips)
"I love this bar. Divey, cheap drinks, books on the shelves, punk rock, old..."(9 Tips)
"The place is loud and they play old school movies on a projector!"(4 Tips)
"Come during happy hour and get buy one get one free drinks!"(10 Tips)
109 Tips and reviewsFilter:
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- casual
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Katherine KruegerDecember 5, 2015I love this place. Great dive bar with low, warm lights, 2-for-1 happy hour drinks (if you tip!), and consistently great music. Plus the bartenders are v cool.
If you come here during happy hour they'll give you a little critter with a beer. Don't get too attached to your new friend though, you can trade them in for a free drink!
The Corcoran GroupAugust 1, 2013We love to come here for happy hour for the 2-for-1 drinks, and also to see and play music from the old-school jukebox.
5-8pm 2-for-1 happy hr. Thurs ladies night 2-for-1 all night. Best jukebox. Possibly fave dive bar in the entire city. They know how to make em strong here. Bathrooms are disgusting, but it's great.
Brittany ThompsonOctober 22, 2013Great bar. Very low key & chill. Unpretentious folks looking to enjoy a beer should check this place out. Don't forget to tip your bartenders!
Kate HindSeptember 6, 2014Excellent juke box, cheap drinks, pitch black, writers on the wall, and you can probably get pregnant from the seats. Divetastic.
Audrey TolbertOctober 29, 2014Divey but not too divey, this place still boasts a good beer selection while catering to the PBR and a shot crowd as well. Try to understand whatever weird ass movie they're showing.- Owen HerterichAugust 28, 2016I love this bar. Divey, cheap drinks, books on the shelves, punk rock, old movies...all of my favorite things in one.
Joseph SmithSeptember 16, 2015The huevos rancheros was awesome. Our server helped us with the menu and had great pairing recommendations. Will definitely go back!
Garrett BlackJanuary 12, 2017Come for the cheap beer, stay for the naked man shooting heroin on screen
- Shawn ThorntonApril 1, 2016A great place to share drinks and conversations with friends. The place is loud and they play old school movies on a projector!
CompassJuly 24, 2013A projection screen and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves make this hip dive a respite from Houston Street chaos. The clientele drink PBR for just a few bucks, and locals wouldn’t have it any other way.
Ms HeleneMarch 13, 2013A long and narrow bar, dimly-lit, cosy, grungey, friendly service, standard drinks, easy to get a seat early in the week, aka great neighborhood bar!
Katelyn LMarch 25, 2012A jukebox with an impressive punk rock collection, and a projector that's always showing 50s-70s erotica. Rock out to The Clash with some Bettie Page strip teases in the background.
ᴡ YoungNovember 5, 2016Can't beat the happy hour, also a very good place for an after-party gathering late night!
Pratheeksha KSJanuary 26, 2017Super cheap drinks, so much roomier on the inside. Great for groups, a quintessential East Village dive
Serious EatsMarch 6, 2013Drinks are cheap, the jukebox is well curated, the music is loud, B movies run on loop on a projector in the back, and it's dingy without being unpleasant.
"I've been drunk for about a week now, & I thought it might sober me up to sit in a library." -The Great Gatsby
After midnight, you can loser up to a pube (Busch and whiskey) or El Guapo (24oz Tecate and tequila).
Fair drink prices and rad literature inspired art on the walls. I dig it.
Joey CoppedgeJanuary 27, 2013Spiked apple cider: done deal, do not wait to have it as your last drink it's SO delicious and completely worth the measly $7.00
This is a great place to take out-of-towners. It's disorienting without being overwhelming, and "only in New York" without being cliche.
Shauna TagueOctober 25, 2011LOUD. But I LOVE it! Great music, cheap drinks. And they play some classic old movies on this huge projector. A lot of fun
Giovanni D'PalmaMarch 15, 2015Great local spot, awesome vibe and during the day has more interesting patrons
Awesome bar and a grrrrrreaaaat jukebox. People love to play Joy Division here, sprinkled with a bit of The Smiths and My Bloody Valentine. Clearly my cup of tea (/vodka).
Y NApril 16, 2016See that comment below from "Michael Aiingorn" (Ayngorn, Einhorn, Aingorn, Aihnhorn, etc.)? He is a criminal scam artist. Don't accept one of his ATMs. The other 'real' name of his company is FTF Inc.
- Lucy GoldsteinMay 15, 2011One of the best jukeboxes I've ever come across. Also, they play The Shining like ALL THE TIME, which is great if you like The Shining. (via Scoville) Read more
- L. T.April 3, 2015Rude bar tenders who pretty much hate the patrons... But you can't complain with those prices! Great for pre/post gaming. Gets packed by 9-10ish.
Run into Anton Newcombe. Dance with him. Have him comment on how long your tongue is when you catch a snowflake with it outside, then he'll start singing to you. Btw, happy hour will get you trashed.
Get here for the 2 for 1 happy hour. Also play Blondie and T. Rex from the juke box.
$5 for a Busch beer & a shot of whiskey. "The Pube" is the best deal in town.
Ron CabreraNovember 21, 2014Ooooooooh yeah man, I come here for the 70's and 80's horror flicks they play in the back muahahahahaha!!!- Movies. Good tunes. Cheap beer. If I were a dive bar I'd maybe be this one.
2 for 1 drinks during happy hourgood jukebox24oz tecates for $6
This my one and only-ish bar! The bartenders make this place the place to be!
Amanda HolpuchJuly 18, 2012This bar has Shel Silverstein graffiti and a rad juke box selection. What more could you want?
Rainbow LASeptember 15, 2013Kick your self in the nutz if you love sicilian women who are former addicts!
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Open until Midnight (Show more)
- Mon–Sun
- Midnight–4:00 AM
- Noon–Midnight
(212) 375-1352
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Yes (incl. American Express)
Food & Drink
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Happy Hour
Drinks
Beer, Full Bar, Cocktails
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Places people like to go after The Library
- 8.2
"This is a great show venue - I went to cover the Latin Alternative Music Conference and it was a great time. Their bartenders were pretty chill and their drinks were delish. Two thumbs up"
JC Earle - 9.0
"The pastrami sandwich is delicious- get it with a side order of fries for an incredibly satisfying drunchies meal"
Ashley Chan - 6.5
"Great two-for-one happy hour every day until 8PM. And they even let you bring in tacos from the delicious taco truck across the street."
Bonobos
Appears on 408 lists
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