The Library

Relaxed and chill atmosphere.
Smelled like an old house at the entry… The bar serves drinks in plastic glasses. A no no.
The long island ice tea was strong.

The Spring Fête on Saturday night was going so well (Despite the rude under 21 crowd who looked like little kids from high school and probably were). There was free food, ample seating, and a cool vibe. There were a few fights but nothing out of the norm of club happenings. Then the hoodlums came out to play. I was gone from my seat for less than 5 minutes and that’s all it took. They stole my bag, emptied out my wallet, took my car keys/​apartment keys, and my phone and then dumped my bag near the rear exit. The managers and staff couldn’t have cared less. And I was left to sit outside of my car (in a very sketch neighborhood) until 9:30 am the next morning. To say the least, I will NEVER be frequenting the Library again if my life depended on it. The dancing and music was fun (if you like Caribbean/​Soca/​reggae music), but if you have to be wary about the people around you, is it really worth it?

The DJ was cool. There was maybe 15 people there last sat. night mostly guys. I just wanted to check out something new but I didn’t really feel this spot. Probably not going to go back. But don’t get me wrong its not a bad bar. Just not for me lol

Tried stopping in this afternoon, and they were blaring house music really ridiculously loudly. It was loud enough that you had to yell in order to talk to the person standing right next to you… and this was at 3:00 in the afternoon. Seriously, what sort of bar blasts the speakers in the middle of the afternoon? Walked up to the bar anyway, and saw that all beer was being served in plastic sippy cups. I’m way to old to be drinking beer out of plastic cups. They also had a really pitiful beer selection. So only bad beer, served in plastic cups, and really loud music at three in the afternoon. In other words, there’s absolutely nothing to like about this place.

RED LINE PUB CRAWL STOP #1: THE LIBRARY
The Library has gone through several incarnations over the past few years. It is certainly much cleaner now, but I think it has bumped itself out of dive bar status as evidenced by the $ 7 price tag on my tiny little rail drink. YIKES. I have to wonder if they have a monopoly now that the Cardinal’s Nest is closed or did whitey just get overcharged? I just can’t believe that this place will be able to endure charging prices like that to a collegiate target audience.

This place has gone through several name changes/​changes in ownership over the last decade but has always had one primary target demographic: Catholic University students. I had high hopes for it when the owners of the Ugly Mug/​Porters purchased it a couple of years ago and it went from being the Cardinal Club to the Library (cute; students can tell their parents that they’re going to the Library!),. Alas, aside from a new paint job and a long overdue repair of the men’s head, not much has changed. The place is cavernous, designed to pack in a maximum amount of drinkers, with the bar area taking up just a small fraction of the total space. They do have several taps, and if you order a «good» beer (Stella, Blue Moon, Guiness) and look over the age of 25, they may even give you a glass rather than a plastic cup! There is a small kitchen, but you’re better off buying some take out from the Jamaican place next door.

We killed two hours a this place while waiting for a house party to start on a Friday night. from 8−10pm we were the only four people in there. The layout seems like it could be a really fun club spot, but it’s also reminiscent of a Quaker meeting house, with a symmetric split down the middle and bathrooms on opposite ends of the bar. Pints are around 4 or 5 dollars, and although they had Guinness taps, they only had PBR, Blue Moon, and Yuengling on draft.

I went the other night for a friends gig. We got there late but it didn’t matter because no one else was there besides the door guy, the guy that put the party together and the bartender. Things started picking up quickly but kept at a steady pace all night (mostly what looked like regulars). GREAT venue. Sad to see it in a part of town too tucked away for most to venture out to. Otherwise I could see big things happening here.
The DJ booth was set ontop of the entrance and I do have to admit I was scared of crawling up and down the bunk bed style ladder to get there and refused to go get my own beers. But after some practice the ladder got easier (and less scary). From the outside you would think the woman’s restroom was unusable but to my surprise it wasn’t too bad. It has tp and plenty of paper towels.
Wish this place was closer! It’s a nice little dive bar with great seating area (leather couches) nice touch.

Well… it’s a five star dive bar (formerly Johnny K’s, and Cardinal Club)
$ 6 Miller Lite pitchers is the typical drink of choice.
Everyone here is from Catholic University, and if they’re not, they are really pathetic for hanging out here. A night at this bar is like going to the party everyone is at on campus, because it’s a pretty small school.
It’s also the bar chosen as the after-​party spot, after a party or a «real» bar.
Every girl here is dressed to the nines despite the dingy surroundings and every single person is wasted off their face. In fact, you can’t really enjoy The Library unless you are.
Needless to say, I’ve had many an awesome night there, but I’m hoping never to return.