The Library Bar and Grill

Reviews

• Oren P.

  star star star star_border star_border 3 June 2026

  Wednesday night offers FREE Latin dancing - with a half-hour group lesson starting at 9:30pm. Not a lot of space allocated exclusively for dancing (rather than drinking, eating, or playing pool) so the place gets packed. The do offer food but mostly people seem to come to drink and dance on Wednesdays. The floor is wood but not really meant for dancing. The evening starts off with mostly salsa, bachata, and merengue - but only a few people there know how to dance (together). Many people also seem to constantly walk through or just stand in the dance area. The later it gets the more reggaetón is played and the younger and rowdier the crowd gets. But it is free and apparently the only place to go dance on a Wednesday night so come before everyone else does (and already be there when they do).

• Rob R.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 31 May 2026

  I could.not have felt more unwelcome here. I walk in on a Thursday evening around 7p to have a beer and watch the game. It's not too crowded but because the small bar was full with no empty seats I planned to move to a table but wasn't sure if I could. After the bartender and a server passed by me with no attention whatsoever I stopped the third person, another server, and asked. She said to sit wherever.
  
  I grabbed a seat at a small table and the same server came over, dropped a menu, and said nothing. I stopped her as she was leaving and said I'll have a Michelob ultra. She left without a word. A few minutes later she comes back with a large draft mich ultra. Now, I had no idea they served anything larger than a pint because that's all I saw anyone with. Well, I was wrong because she brings me a big 22 oz draft, places it on the table, and leaves saying nothing.
  
  After a little more than 30 mins, still without a word from my server, I flag her down, hand her a $20, and say I'm ready to pay. She brings back my receipt and change, places it on the table, and leaves again without a word. The total bill was $6.18 yet she only gave me $13 in change. I guess here they decide to keep the loose change no matter how much there is.  She basically tipped herself $14%.
  
  I got up and left never having been spoken to by any employee of this place except for the guy who checked my ID at the door and the server who said to sit wherever.
  
  Never again!

• Amy S.

  star star star star star 28 May 2026

  Great service and a hot atmosphere at this downtown Albuquerque bar. From a visitor's perspective, this was one of the most happening places at nighttime. We stopped in during the day and loved looking at the cool decorations inside and enjoying our drinks and eye candy as well.

• Andy A.

  star star star star star_border 26 May 2026

  While we just went in for a burger (lunchtime) and some pool, I was very impressed with Library's ambiance and food.  The burger was very good, and they were quite accommodating to special requests on it.  The ambiance is well done without going too overboard (it's a library theme, if the name didn't give it away).
  
  The pool tables were a bit dated (stains, worn, etc), but definitely playable (coin operated, $1.00 a game, bring quarters).  I would like to see them address those, but it was a minor thing, especially in comparison with the rest of the afternoon.  I'd imagine that at night it probably gets a bit crazy, but for a weekend afternoon I found it very pleasant.  I would definitely recommend them.

• Vaughn F.

  star star star star star_border 14 May 2026

  On a recent Saturday night, the bouncer greeted my party kindly and held open the door for us to enter. We showed our IDs at the booth in the hall, then took up seats at a table near the front windows. The odor of cigarette smoke occasionally crept inside, and our view was solely directed at the strip club across the street, but it seemed like a great place to sit.
  
  Spoiler alert: it was my idea to come here. I like The Library, I really do. It's an unassuming establishment whose moniker is such a clever play on words, I feel compelled to explain it to any guests I might bring through. There are two pool tables along with huge shelves full of books. Whether the books are merely decorative, I've yet to learn.
  
  I suggest enjoying some food from The Library's full menu. The hamburgers are satisfying, while the wings (I order mine extra crispy) never disappoint. Chips & queso were specially priced at $3; ask your server if there are any promotions going on. If you are offered Jello shots, do not try the tequila ones..
  
  This is a good place to watch a game over some unassuming domestic beers and standard bar food. Perhaps you'll want to avoid bringing the kids or grandma and grandpa, but do come with friends from your motorcycle club. This is a bastion of simple pleasures in the heart of downtown. Keep your eyes wide and check 'em out.