The Library Wine Boutique & Cuisine — Restaurant in Madrid

I am writing to formally express my deep disappointment following two separate visits to Library Wine Bar in Madrid. Despite its elegant presentation and high-end wine offerings, the level of service I experienced was consistently unprofessional and completely misaligned with the premium prices charged.

On my first visit, I ordered a bottle of wine priced at €204—clearly a premium-level purchase. However, the service was anything but refined. A female staff member wearing glasses brought the wine glasses and placed them on the table with a loud clunk, then slid them across the table towards each guest in a manner more suited to a cheap bar than a luxury wine venue. So lack of finesse. Another male staff member, also wearing glasses, brought over the wine and reconfirmed the vintage I had asked for—only to bring the wrong vintage. When my friend pointed this out, the staff member blamed her, saying dismissively, “Well, this is the one you pointed to,” with a rushed tone and no smile.

We decided to stay polite and not let it ruin our evening, though we agreed we wouldn’t return. However, as I was walking to the restroom, I noticed a Viña Ardanza 2001 bottle priced at €205, which I had previously enjoyed in Barcelona. Despite my poor first impression of the service, I was still interested in this wine. I tried reaching out via email to Vino Premier and Vila Viniteca to purchase it elsewhere, but received no reply. Ultimately, I returned to Library Wine Bar after dinner the following evening.

I arrived around 1:15 AM (the bar closes at 2:00 AM), only to be greeted by another female staff member who told me we were only allowed one glass each because the bar was closing soon—even though I was planning to order a €205 bottle!

I tried not to let this spoil my mood, having just come from a wonderful dinner. A male staff member then approached and informed me that the wine would actually cost €275—to my surprise. I was told the €205 price was for takeaway, and that drinking it on-site incurs a €70 service fee.

Still, we agreed to pay the €275 to enjoy the wine. However, what followed was completely unacceptable: the staff member broke the cork inside the bottle, then carried it away from our table to a corner of the bar, where he tried to open it with the help of the female staff member. Removing a bottle from the customer’s table like that, without explanation, is unprofessional and lacks transparency.

One of my friends followed to observe, only to be told by a female staff member in a suit: “You are not allowed to see.” Even worse, she proceeded to use a cork extractor incorrectly— she squeezed the extractor legs together and trying to insert it through the center of the broken cork, effectively ruining the bottle.!

They ruined not one, but two bottles—the last two bottles of the 2001 vintage.!

We were then told we could only purchase the 2004 vintage which is not Reserva Especiale.

Not a single staff member apologized. It wasn’t until my friend insisted on speaking to a manager that we received any kind of apology. Because of all the delays and mishandling, we had to take the wine to go instead of enjoying it in the bar.

Frankly, the quality of service was completely unacceptable, especially given the pricing and the premium image the bar presents. The staff lacked training, finesse, and any sense of hospitality. If you’re going to charge €275 for a bottle of wine, then the customer experience must reflect that value.

There are many excellent wine bars in Madrid that respect their customers, care for their wines, and offer a much better value and experience. Sadly, Library is not one of them.

What a pity for this...

Horrible service. I went with much enthusiasm AND plans to buy a good amount of wine. I had a list! Sitting at the bar, I was handed menus. I then waited ten minutes while others who came in after me were served. So I changed locations hoping to get better service. And I sat for another 5-10 minutes. Eventually I beckoned a waiter who told me they actually couldn’t serve me for another ten minutes. What?!? Their posted hours of service (not for the store - for food and wine service) showed they were open. AND many people were drinking and/or eating. They just lost a customer for life, and I am scratching this off my recommendations when friends and fellow wine lovers visit Madrid. There are places that will serve you much better and while they won’t make you say ‘ooohhh!’ with delight at their visual appeal in the same way, they will actually care about you...

Maravilloso lugar para deleitar los mejores vinos. Se puede comer de todo con los mejores precios y calidades.

The Library Wine Boutique, ubicado en Madrid, es mucho más que una tienda de vinos; es un destino de referencia para verdaderos entusiastas del vino y curiosos por igual. Con una extraordinaria selección de más de 3,500 etiquetas cuidadosamente elegidas, este espacio se convierte en un punto de encuentro donde tradición y modernidad se fusionan para ofrecer una experiencia sin igual en la capital.

Al ingresar a The Library Wine Boutique, el visitante es recibido por un ambiente elegante, diseñado para inspirar exclusividad y sofisticación. Su decoración, cálida y acogedora, invita a tomarse el tiempo para explorar sus estanterías y descubrir etiquetas únicas, desde renombrados vinos de bodegas prestigiosas hasta pequeñas producciones que solo se encuentran en rincones especializados. Es un espacio donde se rinde culto al vino y se crea una atmósfera ideal para quienes desean descubrir y aprender.

El equipo de expertos que atiende en The Library Wine Boutique es otro de sus grandes atractivos. Cada miembro del personal posee un conocimiento profundo sobre vinos y está siempre dispuesto a ofrecer recomendaciones personalizadas, haciendo que cada cliente sienta que está en las mejores manos. Tanto si eres un coleccionista experimentado como si simplemente deseas probar algo nuevo, el personal está capacitado para guiarte a través de una experiencia memorable.

Además de su extensa oferta de vinos, el local está diseñado para disfrutar en el sitio, permitiendo a los visitantes degustar una copa en un entorno de lujo y calma, lejos del bullicio de la ciudad. The Library Wine Boutique no es solo un lugar para comprar vino, sino un espacio de encuentro donde se celebra la cultura vinícola en todas sus formas. Este nuevo rincón en Madrid es, sin duda, una parada obligada para cualquier amante...