Only in London will you get a delicious cocktail, a good book, and even your favorite record all in the same place! The Book and Record Bar over at West Norwood boasts a massive collection of books and records, making it an ideal place for a peaceful night out. You would think vintage music, classic novels, and alcohol would not mix well but allow this humble hub to try. You can start the afternoon off with coffee and a good book. But by happy hour, enjoy their live music and tasty cocktails!
Source: The Book and Record Bar Facebook Page
In the olden days, when people think of a "drawing room," it's usually a special room in the house where people hang out. In modern-day London, however, they're probably talking about this cool Library bar over by the Southbank area of the city. But perhaps the owners named the establishment as such because The Drawing Room really is a great place for you to sit back, relax, and enjoy some booze with your book. Dimly lit and intimate, it's unlike any bar you've been to before.
You know that the best types of libraries are always the hidden ones. Pretty much like the library bar at The Gorringe Park Pub. The first floor of the establishment looks like your ordinary pub, but upstairs, they have a quaint little area full of books and a whole lot of booze! Oftentimes, it's a great place for an intimate drink with someone special. Though it does get crowded at times, it's never really that loud. People are all too busy reading!
Source: The Gorringe Park Pub Facebook Page
Now, back to the classics. Here's one that will really transport you back in time. Over on West London stands the opulent Lanesborough Hotel. A monument to old-school elegance, this is one of the many establishments in the city that still adheres to centuries-old tradition. Even their own library bar looks as if it never entered the 21st-century. And that's the charm of this place. With its interesting array of classic cocktails—some of which date back to the 18th-century!—going here is quite the experience!
Source: Collection/ The Lanesborough London
If you want to continue time traveling, the Library Bar at The Ned pretty much echoes the same vibe. Though this time, it's a little bit closer to today. Overall, the ambiance still has major Victorian era-feels, with hardwood shelves encasing colorful books lining the walls of the establishment. Quilted velvet chairs in the most eye-popping jewel tones will make you feel that you're in a pop art rendition of a Jane Austen novel. Now, that's quite something!
Source: The Library Bar in The Ned - The Ned
Make no mistake, not all of these library bars are too dark for your own good. Sure, you enjoy having a cocktail with your stories by a dimly-lit corner, but other times, you'd prefer that same sensation in a brighter place. If you do, go to Maison Assouline in Picadilly, one of the more exciting London neighborhoods. With big glass windows letting in all of the London sunshine, you won't feel too suffocated when enjoying a drink with your book. Just a nice quiet afternoon.
Source: Assouline
Ever wondered how the gentlemen of the Victorian, Edwardian, and Georgian eras enjoyed their books with booze? Head on over to the Grange Hotel in Bloomsbury to find out. Inside this first-class establishment resides The Malt Whisky Library Bar, a beautiful recreation of old-school libraries of past eras. The type you see in period films? It's the same one. And with their menu of classic bourbons and single spirits, you'll feel as if you’re currently in one of the more elegant times.
With a name like 'The Martini Library,' you know it's someplace you just gotta check out. As would James Bond too! This elegant haven of vodka and volumes is nestled within the beautiful Arch London Hotel on Marylebone, a popular area for celebrities in the city. But you're not there to ask for an autograph! You're there to enjoy your favorite cocktail with your favorite novel. And the best part? You won't even need to stand up in order to get your glass refilled. The chairs here have secret buttons that let the staff know you need them. Fancy, right?
Velvet-lined seating with hardwood tables and a huge fireplace. No, this isn't the living room of some rich Duke from the 1800s, it's the Scarfes Bar over at Holborn. With its brooding aesthetic and old-school sophistication, it's a step back in time here. However, it's also very homey. Unlike other places on this list that you'll feel as if you're that rich Duke's guest, here, you‘ll get the sense that you own the place. You'll feel that you belong here, and this is probably this hotspot's strongest point.
Source: Scarfes Bar
Books, booze, and good music—you know? All that jazz! Well, that's what you'll get here in The Society Club in SoHo. While the other library bars get their inspiration from past centuries, this hip hotspot is a little bit more modern. It's actually a bookstore, but you can still read some books and return them when you're through. Like a real library! Overall, you'll feel as if you're in one of the smartest spots in town!
Source: The Society Club Facebook Page
You can't drink and drive but you sure can read and drive here in London. The city has loads of library bars for you to enjoy a good book and even better booze. Happy hour doesn't always have to be so noisy. Sometimes, it can be a peaceful afternoon getting into your favorite story!
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