The Library

Nice place. Kinda average appearance. Went for tap takeover which was nuts when it started but died down. Pool table. Decent.

Cool idea and name. The food was quite delicious. Very good beer selection with specialty beers on occasion.

When I visited: Late summer 2012. What I had: Victory Braumeister Pils (draught), Tröegs Troegenator Double Bock (bottle), pizza and salad to eat, sauvignon blanc for the lady. What I liked: Laid back, homey atmosphere works well with the bookworm theme, good clientele that minds their own, quick service, nice setup at the bar, was happy to find two beers that I had been seeking out for a while. What I disliked: food was merely decent, beer selection is solid but tiny, we moved on after two drinks. Would I go back? Yes. Overall Rating: 76

Stopped in on a Sunday afternoon. Free street parking across the road. The place was nearly empty. They had some good stuff on tap. I had a Victory Ranch R. They had a pretty lengthy mixed drink menu as well. Decent bottle selection. Good service. Overall a nice little bar. I’d go back.

Ambiance is a crowded library basically, books on the tables as menu and such. Service is good and friendly, always asking what else they can do for you. Tap selection is a little weak, but also has a decent amount of bottles too. Food is very good, and is fairly priced, as is the beer. Overall, worth going to more for the food, but a good beer can be had while eating.

A great bar with a cool theme going on, books everywhere. About 12 craft beers on tap and solid choices as well. Some seasonals, etc. $3.50 draft special on a Saturday night was a pretty good deal, and the bartenders seemed to know their stuff. I appreciated them letting me know ahead of time when the special was over. Upstairs bar was less crowded, and we had plenty of space to hang out. Good time.

Went to this place on a Saturday afternoon. Decent selection of quality taps. The bartender told me that they did six packs to go. I ask him for a bottle menu and he said they were listed on all the chalkboard. No sir they are not, so I went up to see what bottles they had and determined that there weren’t six I wanted.

Small bar seats 10-12, small restaurant maybe another forty. Service is brief but friendly, atmosphere is standard though a little less ’burgh than most south side dives, actually classy by comparison. Taps rotate quick, often fresh lagers and IPAs on tap. The real deal here is the 9-11p happy hour, when you get 1/2 appetizers and beers. Definitely order the peppers and goat cheese, chicken fingers are nice as well. Drink elsewhere, then save yourself from a hangover by loading up on cheap food... works every time.

Walked in at 4pm on a thursday, it was empty and they just opened. Decent looking place with some interesting beer on tap but did not find anything I have not already tasted. Help seemed friendly enough. Parking on the street with a parking meter.

I’ve visited this establishment on two separate occasions, and was quite satisfied both times. Given the fact that The Library sits on essentially the same corridor as some of Pittsburgh’s more popular beer bars, it tends to be a bit overlooked by locals. The interior is inviting, if a bit on the dim side. Menus are placed inside of books, allowing for pre-meal entertainment for both adult and young patrons. Between eight and twelve beers seem to generally be available on tap, with a concentration on common and harder to find craft beer. Another 100 or so in bottle form, again with a strong emphasis on high quality products. The menu offers a range of items, from tapas-style munchies, to full-on entrees; each named after a particular author or work of literature. My companions and I were impressed with the use of more esoteric (for the Pittsburgh food scene) cheeses and presentations. Prices are about average, given the food and beer types offered. The staff is friendly, patient, and generally attentive. Other than perhaps on a late Friday or Saturday evening, it is appropriate for all but perhaps the youngest children. Overall, a nice alternative to the crowds and volume of Fathead’s and Smokin’ Joes, and the generic qualities of the Hofbrauhaus.