If you're into discovering secret new spots, there's a clandestine cocktail bar in downtown Lake Worth that will leave you feeling as though you've escaped from South Florida — and down the rabbit hole.
You'll find it by entering through a plain black door at the back of a popular downtown Lake Worth eatery, Lilo's Street Food & Bar. Dubbed The Library, the unassuming spot has become one of the city's newest #hiddengems with its speakeasy-themed cocktail bar vibes.
For some, The Library is a familiar favorite. Before it was a secret backroom bar, Lilo's owner/founder Lindsay Lipovich envisioned an intimate space where guests in-the-know could enjoy a quiet cocktail away from the weekend night frenzy of the main restuarant.
"Our goal with Lilo's was to have a good cocktail program. When we opened, we offered over 20 cocktails, but the local crowd wanted something more simple," says Lindsay, who expanded Lilo's from its original Delray Beach location to open the Lake Worth restaurant alongside her fathter, Joe Lipovich, in late 2016. "With The Library, we wanted to offer a cool mixology menu where the bartenders could get creative the same way we do with the food menu."
Although her father originally had plans to turn the back room into a sandwich shop, Lindsay had other goals, transforming the 500-square-foot space into a magical cocktail experience in late 2018. It garnered a small following, and a brief hiatus during COVID-19 allowed the duo to expand the concept. In March, The Library took over two vacated spaces next door as part of its recent expansion, allowing for a larger seating area, a standalone menu of upscale eats, and — most importantly — a live music lineup.
Today, when you find that black back door (or the unmarked outdoor side entrance) you'll be greeted by your bartender of the evening who will guide you through a personalized imbibing journey. The space is antique-chic, decked out in an array of funky second-hand furniture sourced from thrift stores and antique shops, an easy way for Lindsay to both repurpose a number of items while also flexing her eco-conscious muscles.
And what about the drinks? The bar offers a wide array of high-end spirits from whiskey and bourbon to tequilas, mezcal, and vodka. You can opt for one of six signature cocktails (each created by a Library bartender) or pick a spirit and ask your mixologist to make something just for you. The idea is to craft your own experience, with options as varied as the books on a libary shelf. Then simply find your own personal private nook — be it at the 12-seat bar, main lounge area, or the dim-lit back room — and enjoy.
The Library's general manager and lead bartender, Varin de Lag'e, suggests sampling one of his three favorite cocktails: Starry Night, a simple — yet stunning — combination of Empress gin and prosecco, piqued with a touch of glitter; the Black Mamba, a strong drink that marries Piggyback 6-year rye whisky with a touch of fresh raspberry puree; and the Raspberry Spritz, Tito's vodka and fresh raspberry puree topped off with a prosecco. He also emplores guests to take advantage of Thursday's all-day special, when The Library offers its Old Fashioned for $7 apiece all night long.
In the kitchen, longtime Lilo's executive chef Adam Toledo highlights his skills in a more upscale manner, offering The Library guests their own menu of high-end eats. Menu items range from Oysters on the Half-Shell and Wagyu Sliders to a simply seared Hanger Steak, fresh-caught Wahoo, and a whole Lobster Tail entree.
Don't skip dessert: the Chocolate Cake Sundae is a dish to not be missed, the chef's own take on the famous Portillo's Hot Dogs Cake Shake. At The Library, the dessert arrives as an over-the-top sunday, a massive slice of Lilo's rich and decadent chocolate cake whipped in the blender with ice cream and all the usual sundae fixings and topped with home-made whipped cream and chocolate sauce.
Moving forward, Lindsay says she hopes to see more people discover Lilo's back bar — and not simply for its unique atmosphere, but also its growing live music lineup. Already several local acts are booked to celebrate The Library's expansion, including solo artist John Leonard of Paper Carcass on Thursday, June 10; The Basement Presents' DJ Marlon Foster on Thursday, June 17; and 33 Years on Friday, June 25.
"The Library is more than just a cocktail bar. We really wanted to give Lake Worth a live music space," sums up Lindsay. "After COVID, we weren't able to host our famous Lilo's block parties, and we really learned the value of entertainment, nott just for business, but for the community. Now, we hope to focus on highlighting some really amazing artists — really good regional music acts with a solid performance."
The Library. 701 Lake Ave., Lake Worth; open 5 p.m. to midnight Tuesday through Thursday, and 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday; lilosstreetfoodandbar.com/the-library. #hiddengems