Driving down Conklin St. in Farmingdale, you may notice on the corner of Main Street some well-dressed people entering a building that looks both regal and exciting, with funky lights and obvious activity. Do yourself a favor and make your way in, because a good time awaits you at The Library Cafe in Farmingdale.

Although I never received a straight answer on the history of the building, it does appear to have been, at one time, an actual library (similar to The Carriage House and The Post Office in Babylon Town). There are shelves behind the bar, but in place of books the racks are filled with libation of many sorts. Expect the bartender to know how to make you a trendy and classy drink, which will match The Library's energy and ambiance. The rest of the layout does refer back to its theme, but the lighting and music screams "lounge".

Fridays, Saturdays and potentially on other busy nights, you'll have a DJ in place, spinning medium-tempo stuff that sounds young but feels comfortable. There's a surprisingly nice amount of room at the bar, even when the crowd is thick, so you won't feel neglected by your servers. The crowd itself has a dressy vibe, but there were more than a few dressed-down regulars mixed in.

The menu offers some tasty food that seems exotic, but is very much in line with the offerings most lounges in Nassau County provide. We enjoyed the Sicilian Wings and the Marinated Steak, but looking at other people's plates makes it impossible to pick a favorite dish. There's just a whole lot to like about The Library Cafe.


The Library Cafe
274 Main St
Farmingdale, NY
516-752-7678
www.thelibrarycafe.com