Have you ever been to a bar inside a library? I hadn’t either, until last week when the Boston Public Library in Copley Square unveiled its new Map Room Tea Lounge. Taking the concept of afternoon tea from day to night, the new lounge features tea-infused cocktails inspired by classic novels. The cocktail lounge is also a nice complement to the library’s recently updated Courtyard Tea Room, which continues to offer a lovely traditional afternoon tea service.
Whether you’re looking for tea and scones, or a cocktail and charcuterie board, both experiences are well worth a visit next time you visit the Copley Branch of the Boston Public Library. Read on for what to expect if you go!
Afternoon Tea in the Courtyard Tea Room
I recently posted on Instagram about how much I love the Bates Hall reading room in the Boston Public Library. In the post, I mentioned that I’ve always wanted to try the library’s afternoon tea service. A fellow travel blogger – Stephanie from The Roving Fox – commented that she was interested in trying it as well. And so we made plans to go!
Courtyard Tea Room: The Space
The newly renovated Courtyard Tea Room, located in the McKim building of the Central Library, is bright and airy. I love the high ceilings and big windows that let in loads of natural light. Overlooking the library’s signature open-air courtyard, the Tea Room is decorated in neutral colors with pops of with green and white flowers. Black and white photographs of details of the library’s architecture adorn the walls. The menus are printed in old library books, adding to the charm of the space, and tea is served using classic white china with silver detailing.
Courtyard Tea Room: Tea Service
The Courtyard Tea Room only serves one thing – afternoon tea. And it does so beautifully. Stephanie and I were each offered our choice of loose leaf tea, ranging from traditional black tea, to oolong, green and herbal tea blends. We both chose the Blue Flower Earl Grey blend, which came with milk and was lightly sweetened with hints of vanilla.
The Afternoon Tea menu is pre-set, and includes a delicious selection of tea sandwiches, petit fours and scones. (They did ask about any dietary restrictions in advance. And I noticed that they brought out the tea sandwiches on lettuce leaves for a patron with a gluten sensitivity.)
While the tea sandwiches were all tasty, I especially enjoyed the roasted mushroom & goat cheese crostini, along with the herbed chicken salad in phyllo and the smoked salmon finger sandwich. Of the petit fours, the red velvet bundt cake and the fruit tart were standouts. The scones were baked perfectly, and served with traditional Devonshire cream, along with lemon curd and blood orange preserves. On weekends, the tea service also includes a choice of soup or salad.
Pricing: The Afternoon Tea on weekdays is priced at $39 for adults and $15 for children under the age of 12. On weekends, the Copley Tea is $45 for adults, and $15 for children.
Cocktails in The Map Room Tea Lounge
Now while afternoon tea is always lovely, sometimes you’re in the mood for something a bit…stronger. Well, the Boston Public Library has now officially transitioned tea from day to night with the opening of the new Map Room Tea Lounge. Located in what used to be the library’s grab-and-go cafe, the Lounge offers a new cocktail bar with first-come, first-served seating, along with tables that are available for advance reservations.
Map Room Tea Lounge: The Space
With exposed brick walls, rustic wooden tables and metal chairs, it has a decidedly more masculine feel than the Courtyard Tea Room. While the space does have high ceilings and large windows, the majority of lighting comes from strategically-placed lamps and candles throughout the room. With vintage maps adorning the walls, and a large bookshelf behind the host stand with old books and tea-inspired decor, it’s a cozy spot for an afternoon drink.
Map Room Tea Lounge: Cocktails & Food
The cocktail menu is fun and creative. I tried the Tequila Mockingbird made with blood orange hibiscus-tea infused tequila, strawberry, lemon and Prosecco. Other cocktail options include the Dorian Gray (made with earl grey tea and grapefruit), Catcher in the Rye (made with apple-berry infused rye) and War & Peace (made with vodka, green jade tea, basil and lime), among others. The lounge also offers beer, wine – and of course, tea.
The food menu includes the traditional afternoon tea assortment of finger sandwiches, petit fours and scones; along with a cheese & charcuterie board and a tasty selection of tartines.
The Dry Aged Sirloin tartine, served with herbed goat cheese and onion jam on ciabatta, was delicious! Next time I plan to try the Duck Confit tartine, which comes with apple, prosciutto and roquefort on baguette. The menu also features vegetarian options, including an Avocado Smash tartine (with pickled jalapenos, tomato and bermuda onion). And a White Bean tartine that comes topped with Greek Salad. It appears that the cheese and charcuterie options will be rotating, and come with a selection of olives and pickled vegetables.
Pricing: Cocktails are priced at $12 a piece, and wine and beer selections start from $7. The tartines range in price from $8 – $14. And the cheese and charcuterie boards rage from $14 – $28 depending on how many selections you choose.
Tips for Visiting Like a Local
- Both the Tea Room and Lounge are open Wednesday – Sunday.
- Make advance reservations before you go. Afternoon tea in the Courtyard Tea Room is already quite popular (especially on weekends and in the summer). And drinks in the cocktail bar are sure to be a hit. You can make reservations for both the Courtyard Tea Room and table service in the Map Room Tea Lounge on OpenTable.
- Even though the Tea Lounge is a cocktail bar, it’s still located within the library and observes library hours. The Tea Lounge closes at 8:45pm on Wednesday and Thursday, and at 4:45pm Friday-Sunday.
- Explore and enjoy the other parts of the library during your visit.
- Bates Hall reading room on the 2nd floor is one of the most iconic spots in Boston with its cathedral ceiling and green lamps.
- The Grand Staircase has a museum-like quality. If you look closely, you even find fossil shells embedded in the marble of the staircase. Check out the library’s signature pair of lions (and rub their tails for good luck!).
- The Abbey Room and The Sargent Gallery (on the third floor) contain amazing works of art.
- The open-air Courtyard is a great spot to sit and read or do some work in the warmer months.
- The library offers free public Art & Architecture tours on a daily basis. Check the online schedule for times.
- The library offers Concerts in the Courtyard on Wednesdays during the summer months. Check the schedule online if visiting, and stay for some music if you can.
The Boston Public Library
700 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
www.librarytea.com
www.bpl.org
Categories: Activities, Boston, Food & Drink