Library Bar at Fairmont Royal York, Toronto
Bold drinks. Big characters. True stories.
Library Bar is one of those places that just breathes with stories. A Front Street institution and cocktail den, birthplace of the legendary Toronto Birdbath Martini, with a true Toronto cocktail story to tell. Nearly 50 years, many lives, woven together by characters as storied as the drinks they pour. Martini lunch. After-work ritual. Late-night gathering place. Date night classic. Whatever brings you through the door, you belong here.
Menus
Characters
Ink & Alchemy
Esteemed as Toronto's treasured cocktail den, Library Bar launches a new cocktail menu by award-winning Director of Beverage, James Grant. As an exceptional first for the iconic brand, Grant and his team, levy inspiration from one of Toronto's greatest novels, In the Skin of a Lion, by Michael Ondaatje. The novel is a monument to the people who built Toronto: immigrants, workers, traders, visionaries, thieves, and dreamers. It sets these stories alongside one another, binds them into knots, and shows us that history is a shared story.
Ondaatje’s love for the various stories that make up Toronto resonated with Library Bar. For over fifty years, Library Bar has hosted the diversity Toronto has to offer. The people of this city pass through our doors, share meals, raise a glass, and make us a part of their stories. This is not the only story of Toronto, but it is one of our favourites.
From Château to Table
Honouring the culinary vision established at the turn of the century in the châteauesque hotels that joined together Canada's burgeoning cities and resort properties set amongst the vast wilderness, Library Bar's Chef Brian Tang takes inspiration from the beloved classic dishes that guests have returned for time and again.
Rich indulgences like east coast oysters, classic Steak Frites served with Bordelaise, and the ever-famous Bay Street Prime Rib Sandwich round out a menu that draws inspiration from our country’s rich and natural culinary canon that is expertly paired with a refined wine list and intriguing cocktails, creating an indulgent and memorable dining experience.
A strong proponent for local and sustainable initiatives, Library Bar partners with Ontario-based farmers and east coast fisheries to forage ingredients that complete the hearty recipes that have defined the flavours of Library Bar for decades.
Where Legends Lounge
A place for the fashionable legends of the world to feel right at home.
Personifying the hotel's lineage founded in the roar of the 1920s, a broad stroke Art Deco motif sets the stage for the legacy of vivacious performers who entertained raucous crowds that poured in from the hotel's Imperial Ballroom to dine on lavish nightcaps that spilled into the early morning hours. A vibrant mosaic of fluid marbles, rich leathers of bold primary hues, whimsical velvets, and satin fringe adorn a nuanced canvas decorated with Canadian literature and sixteenth-century renaissance paintings.
Above the Mantel, Beneath the Story
A commissioned portrait of George Locke, the City of Toronto’s second Chief Librarian, hangs above the mantelpiece. At the turn of the 20th century, Locke was highly influential in advocating for literacy and transformed Toronto's library system into one of the most respected institutions in North America. Invited to hand-select the books for the original library of Fairmont Royal York, Locke remains an original author in the story of Library Bar.
Martini as a Masterpiece
Perfecting the bar's signature cocktail, Library Bar collaborated with Niagara-region master distillers to craft expressions tailored especially for the treasured Birdbath Martini. Library Bar proudly introduces QUILL, a one-of-a-kind vodka and gin composed of effervescent botanicals and sustainable ingredients that allow the true natural flavours of the classic martini to shine through. Well-balanced with a full-bodied velvety mouthfeel, citrus, spices and earthy roots craft a complex spirit that is served tableside from a bespoke mixing glass.
Press & Awards
Canada's 100 Best
Best Bar 2026 No. 5
The World's 50 Best
North America's 50 Best Bars No. 19
The World's 50 Best
Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award 2026
The Pinnacle Guide
Newly Pinned: World's Best Cocktail Bars
The World's 50 Best
The world's 50 best discoveries
Canada's 100 Best
Best Bars 2025 No. 6
Toronto Life
Over-the-top cocktails are sweeping the city
Honest Cooking
Sip back in time
Canada's 100 Best
A sensorial immersion
Canada's 100 Best
A classic cocktail revival
The Luxury Lifestyle Magazine
A culinary haven
Toronto Star
Man of the evening
Hotelier
Legendary Library Bar returns
Contact Us
Send us a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. You can also reach us by phone at +1 416 368 2511. Looking forward to hearing from you.