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I was intimidated by the Library Bar at the Fairmont Royal York when I first went in. The room was dark, the clientele well-dressed. Even the leather chairs looked posh. But I sat down anyway, ignoring the looks I was getting from my server. Maybe I shouldn’t have worn my old Chuck Taylors, but I wanted a drink and I wasn’t going to let that stop me.
I was hoping the menu would have a rundown of any famous authors who have visited the Library Bar, but it didn’t. I was also hoping there would be more books lining the shelves in the room, but it was kind of underwhelming. I have more books on my bedside table.
Anyway, I was there to drink, not to judge. So that’s what I did. And the booze did not disappoint. They had an impressive selection of whiskey, but since I’m not cool enough to drink the good stuff, I ordered a Library Bar Martini and sipped it slowly while snacking on the free peanuts. While it was a fantastic drink, next time I’ll order one of these literary cocktails. Maybe then it will feel more like a Library Bar and less like a regular bar.
Lord Byron‘s 1824 Cocktail
vodka, Cointreau, lemon juice, rhubarb bitters
Hemingway‘s Mojito
sugar, mint, ginger, rum
Raymond Chandler‘s Gimlet
gin, ice, lime
F. Scott Fitzgerald‘s Gin Rickey
gin, lime, cucumber, rose petals
Charles Bukowski‘s 7&7
whiskey, lemonade, cranberry bitters
Margaret Atwood‘s Margarita
tequila, lime, Cointreau
For more information about the Library Bar at the Fairmont Royal York hotel in Toronto, visit their website.