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    The Library

    3.8 (433 reviews)
    InexpensiveDive Bars
    Closed 12:00 pm - 4:00 am (Next day)

    The Library Photos

    Business Info

    THE LIBRARY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Divey
    Juke Box
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - The Library

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    Reviews With Photos

    Tito's soda
    Debbie K.

    Dive bar! Affordable drinks. Punk rock blasting. Place was fully decorated for Halloween. They have a juke box as well.

    Ambiance
    Kendra M.

    Not many places like this still alive in the East Village- suprisingly fresh drinks and top notch service in this old dive delightfully covered in graffiti, flyers and stickers. Dark and musty in the best sense, catch a happy hour scene and people watch for fun.

    Annie W.

    Checked out this dive bar, which was giving moody, grunge, yet casual hangout spot. It was dark in the back where they have a projector playing videos which was a cool touch in addition to their decor. After our visit, read from other reviewers that they have a BOGO happy hour with drinks but we did not get this deal/or see anything about this when we went on an early Saturday evening. The music at some point went from heavy metal vibes to mamma mia which I didn't mind but thought was interesting. The beers were solid and we were served quickly at the bar.

    Love this bar.
    Daniel O.

    Love this bar. A dive bar in the Bowery/Houston area.. A much welcomed escape from the people while still getting to experience the people, if that makes sense. $5 Gansetts is decent price. Bonus: They have a jukebox loaded with tons of punk/metal CDs. $5 gets you 15 songs.

    Kai E.

    Great music and good vibes at this divey spot. I wanted to read a book at The Library (because lol) but but ended up just chatting with some strangers at the bar and had the best time. Thank you Bridget the bartender for making an out of town-er feel at home. *$20 minimum for cards if that matters to you

    Bathroom door
    Shawn H.

    If you love dive bars like I do, this is your spot. Friendly service, ice cold beer, free flowing shots, no tv, eclectic bathroom and cool art all at cheap prices.

    Ingrid S.

    It's been so long since the last time I've been to the library that I'm pretty sure I remember when drinks here were $3-4 and not around $8. Lol. But the magic of The Library is that the drinks are still two for ones. And that deal goes on until 8pm. So your drink is back to being $4 essentially (kind of). I appreciate that to keep track of your buy back that they give you plastic dinosaurs. It's still an utter dive. But they now have some canned seltzer cocktails in addition to a pretty good rotation of tap beers. There's a movie projection screen in the back room which I'm struggling at remembering if that was always there. It's a classic dive in the east village that will really never be all too bad.

    Heart nips!
    Justin V.

    One of the best dive bars I've been to. New York is filled with great dive bars but this one is one of the best. Popped in for a drink in between shovelling food into my face hole and loved it. The bartender was lovely and had a lot of great advice of where to get great eats in the neighbourhood. Some dude was doing deliveries and sat down at the bar. He asked for a "Jack and Coke, no ice, no fruit, no straw". It was perfectly New York in its direct simplicity and I enjoyed watching him down a couple of them. Tons of character from his accent to his stainless steel rings. This guy alone made my day. Will definitely come back to enjoy the nightlife.

    The front
    Dilip J.

    Omg, free drink for every purchase during Happy Hour(same price)... WTF. Recipe to become a functional alcoholic... Again

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    8 months ago

    Neighborhood favorite. Perfect level of filthy with a great bar staff. Always comfortable and a good time.

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Had a great time. Amethyst is so welcoming and warm. Thanks to her I'll be back soon.

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    2 years ago

    Terrible service outside of one bartender named Beth who was excellent. The other bartender actively ignored me. Just overall weird spot.

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    2 years ago

    Popped in here on Halloweekend. Good dive bar, loved the vibe. The drinks were strong, good for the price.

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

    The bartenders are authentic and very interested in their products and connecting the customer to the perfect cocktail!

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    3 years ago

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    Page 1 of 11

    Ask the Community - The Library

    They do serve wine or wine cocktails?

    Yes. They serve booze

    Is this bar strict with IDs?

    YES. 21 and up only with valid us issued I.D. Or passport.

    Do they have a weekend happy hour?

    View All 5 Questions

    Review Highlights - The Library

    The drinks are standard Manhattan prices, but they usually have weekend specials and happy hour is buy one get one.

    Mentioned in 21 reviews

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    The Library - divebars - Updated August 2026

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