“Library Bar is the undercurrent of Toronto’s storied lineage. Overlooking Union Station, this is the bar that first greets travellers from all over Canada and around the world. For decades, Library Bar has cultivated such loyal patronage thanks to the thoughtful colleagues who have nurtured the heart and soul of this bar. As we usher in a new era for Library Bar – and indeed for Fairmont Royal York – this is a cocktail den that allures guests in its decadent mosaic of unrivaled history, the mystery of who you might meet, and a design identity that pours into poetically crafted cocktails,” said Edwin Frizzell, Regional Vice President, Accor Central Canada and General Manager of Fairmont Royal York.
To sharpen the iconic bar’s signature cocktail, the Birdbath Martini, Rus Yessenov, Director of Beverage, Fairmont Royal York, collaborated with Niagara-region master distillers to create QUILL, a one-of-a-kind gin and vodka unique to the Canadian market. A reimagined cocktail menu plays on Yessenov’s signature style of composing imported delicacies to amuse even the most refined palates, featuring curated spirits from around the globe designed to evoke tales from the curiosities of a well-travelled mind.
Honouring the bar’s loyal patrons, the menu reimagines classic signature dishes foraged from Ontario’s rich farmland. As imagined by jW Foster, Executive Chef, Fairmont Royal York, “The menu is a nod to the hotel’s first high-society parties and timeless classics that warm the soul. As we open in the winter season, we’ve crafted a dining experience that pairs well with cozying up by the bay windows and watching the passersby on Front St as the snow falls. It’s nostalgic, it’s classic – it’s Library Bar.”
Recalling the hotel’s storied lineage as a Canadian landmark for railcar travel, Ken Lam, Principal, Navigate Design, envisions a modern interpretation of classic features that define the Art Deco era, where elements are revived to create a fashion-forward ambiance of the roaring 1920s. Vibrant pops of colour decorate black and white patterns to anchor the space, complemented by layered textures of onyx, leather, velvet and fringe adorn a curated collection of European renaissance paintings and contemporary Canadian art and literature.
“The new character of Library Bar marks the completion of Fairmont Royal York’s most extensive renovation project in its long admired history. We are thrilled to welcome guests back to the legendary icon of Toronto’s flourishing financial district,” said Paul Campbell, Royal York Project Lead at KingSett Capital, Fairmont Royal York ownership group.
For more information, please visit librarybartoronto.com and view the media kit and images here. Follow our social pages on Instagram @LibraryBarToronto and Facebook @LibraryBarRYH.
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About Fairmont Royal YorkTimeless and iconic for over 90 years, Fairmont Royal York is the essential Toronto experience. Welcoming guests to the grand Art Deco lobby bar CLOCKWORK Champagne & Cocktails, through to the distinguished REIGN bar and dining room, the hotel unveils the return of the legendary Library Bar, the city’s renowned cocktail den. Crowned with charisma, Fairmont Gold is a luxury boutique hotel set within the upper 13th – 18th floors and features the exclusive Fairmont Gold Lounge. Refined and captivating, Fairmont Royal York takes centre stage as the Grand Dame of Front Street and is the city’s destination for ethereal wedding celebrations and inspiring conferences and events – embracing a legacy that is famous for generations.
About Fairmont
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is where the intimate equally coexists with the infinite – an unrivaled portfolio of more than 80 extraordinary hotels where grand moments of life, heartfelt pleasures and personal milestones are celebrated and remembered long after any visit. Since 1907, Fairmont has created magnificent, meaningful and unforgettable hotels, rich with character and deeply connected to the history, culture and community of its destinations – places such as The Plaza in New York City, The Savoy in London, Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont Banff Springs in Canada, Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai, and Fairmont The Palm in Dubai. Famous for its engaging service, awe-inspiring public spaces, locally inspired cuisine, and iconic bars and lounges, Fairmont also takes great pride in its pioneering approach to hospitality and leadership in sustainability and responsible tourism practices. Fairmont is part of Accor, a world leading hospitality group consisting of more than 5,200 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries.