Library Bar – The Fairmont Royal York

How do you refresh a historic, widely loved bar? Do you give the concept a facelift, cater to a younger crowd? Do you do as little as possible, to maintain the magic? How do you uphold legacy without steering it towards irrelevance?

That’s what James Grant (the 2021 World Class Global Bartender of the Year) was tasked with when he stepped into the role of director of beverage at Library Bar, the 50-year old bar in the 97-year old Fairmont Royal York hotel.

In the five years following his appointment, he has led Library Bar forward with a deft, caring hand.

The burgundy-slicked, leather-clad room has been carefully refurbished without disturbing the vibe of the space. Servers, some who have been here for 30 years, remember the names and orders of regulars. Martinis are poured tableside with finesse, just like in the grand hotel bars of London.

As his tenure continues, Grant has gone beyond upkeep. He uses his menus to dive deeper into the city’s history to craft precisely executed cocktails with rich, researched narratives. Currently, the menu is a multi-cocktail exploration of Michael Ondaatje’s novel In the Skin of a Lion, which is set in Toronto.

To build the drinks program, Grant and his team ran a book club, reading passages and sharing thoughts and theories. Cocktails dissect plot points, themes and settings within the city. Missing Millionaire (Macallan 12, bourbon, coconut Lot No. 40, vermouth) is inspired by Ambrose Small, a theatre magnate whose mysterious disappearance sparked a nation-wide search and media frenzy.

Next up, Grant and co. are heading back into the archives, this time to explore the history of Library Bar by going through first-hand accounts and logs from its opening year. Staff are attending a film studies group, so they can execute this, and future menus, like true auteurs.

Due to this intense dedication to both past and future — and always telling a great story — we celebrate Library Bar as the 2026 recipient of our Hotel Bar Award.

–Kate Dingwall