The Library - Fairbanks, Alaska

Rick Lupert

This would have been a five star experience for us had our first two course no been overcooked. We really liked it in here...great design and atmosphere and lots of good options for vegetarians. We came in after a recommendation from our tour director who knew we liked whiskey and that the Library had a peated whiskey brewed by a distiller from another city we had just been in.

We had our shot of peated whiskey as promised and dug it.

We were seated at the bar as the place was packed and we didn't have a reservation. We were happy to have the spot as well as to see not only did they have numerous vegetarian options, but they were all clearly labeled on their menu...so food options for us was not a token afterthought and we felt welcome!

Unfortunately, I guess because it was so busy, the first two items we ordered took a looooong time to get to us and both were overcooked, like maybe the kitchen forgot they were in process which would explain the delay as well. We tried the Tempura Brussels Sprouts...a special menu item...overcooked...the tempura was a dark brown (tempura batter when cooked properly is a nice light golden brown with a nice light texture and taste to it) and the brussels on the inside were long void of any desirable texture.

We also got the regular menu offered Caramelized Onion & Mushroom Flatbread. This was also overdone...gone was any chewiness in the crust leaving us with nothing but hard crunches and a pretty overall rich-tasting dish on top.

Normally that would have been enough food for us, but we were only in town for one night and really wanted to try the cheese board...so we did and this was the saving grace of the meal. Served with cheeses, moosetard ground mustard, seasonal organic jam, house pickles, dried fruit, crackers, house baked italian crostini, house olives, this was plenty of food for us, looked really good, and we realized we could have just ordered this and we would have been indulgently full.

There are many more vegetarian options in all of the menu categories to choose from, especially the "shareables" section, so vegetarians – show up and you will be well taken care of.

We had a great time, also talking with the bartender!

If we were ever in Fairbanks again, we'd definitely come back and try more.

Ashley Rose

We came from Boston, MA, and this is honestly the only spot we have found that has a classy cocktail bar. The service was attentive, knowledgeable and skilled. The location itself is clean, new and has fun decor. We got 4 different drinks here and all were exceptional! I would say the food is a biiiiit overpriced, but the quality is there so it’s worth it. Stop by for a nice couple cocktails in your in town.

Claya Chu

Loved the bar! Good balance between a bistro and a speakeasy. Has an uplifting vibe with the good indoor lighting, but not too noisy so you could still enjoy conversations with friends.
Our drinks were fantastic! Delicious and beautiful presentation. Food is also great!
Staff was incredibly helpful - welcoming, checking in regularly to make sure our needs covered. Highly recommend!

Bob Lockwood

What a great find! Larry, the bardener & owner is a master at his craft! He's curated many fun & tasty cocktails, it would take many visits to try them all. And the spring rolls were very yummy. Don't miss out on this hidden gem!!

Rick Smarz

To start, one of the best pisco sours I've had; perfectly mixed and frothy. My wife had their seasonal cocktail which was also very good. I had the most amazing butternut squash soup, and she had the seafood bisque. We also ordered the beet salad, stuffed squash blossoms, the seasonal flat bread, all of which I highly recommend. The Brussels were the only things that fell a little short, and we're still pretty enjoyable.

Gela Shandar

This bar is a true gem for cocktail enthusiasts. ?

Here, you will find a wide selection of original and classic drinks, expertly crafted with skill and love. The atmosphere is cozy and friendly, and the staff is attentive and professional. If you want to enjoy excellent cocktails in a pleasant setting, this bar is the perfect place for you.

Sarah Bennett

My husband and I stopped in for a few hours on our travels. Between the two of us we had 5 different cocktails and they were all AMAZING. The beer was also great. Give them a try! Really good!

Rachel Feikema

Very trendy for Fairbanks! Fancy, clean interior, nice glass wear, healthy comfort food/snacks. Cocktails are $18, but beer and wine are cheaper. Come here for date night or an outing with the girls! So cute! Thanks for being here 🙂