Library by the Sea, Grand Cayman’s first high-concept cocktail bar located inside the island’s premier luxury resort, Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa, has been crowned the 35th best bar in North America by North America’s 50 Best Bars. Library by the Sea has also received the esteemed London Essence Best New Opening Award 2024, voted on by industry heavyweights, after its opening in December 2022.
“Having the 50 Best Bars Academy recognize Library by the Sea is an incredible honor,” said Jim Wrigley, beverage manager at Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa. “We wanted to create and curate a collection of experiences for our guests through the drinks and the stories we’re telling. This recognition is a testament to our team’s dedication to providing guests a one-of-a-kind experience and remarkable cocktails.”
Library by the Sea was launched by industry veterans Jim Wrigley (Lonsdale, Trailer Happiness) and Andrew Copsey (Milk & Honey). Working alongside a talented team, they created a truly bespoke cocktail program inspired by classic literature. Library by the Sea is located in the lobby of the Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa, built in the space where the hotel’s library used to be. A working library and high-concept cocktail bar, the space caters to both the cocktail aficionado and the hotel guest seeking a good book to enjoy on vacation. No detail is overlooked in any cocktail, from the vessel to the flavor to the name – Library by the Sea offers guests an experience that’s meant to create and evoke memories from start to finish.
“Watching Library by the Sea evolve since its opening has been so fulfilling,” said Wrigley. “Our entire team is humbled and inspired to be included alongside such an amazing and diverse collection of industry leaders and venues.”
The 2024 ranking is reflective of the best bar experiences collated by a gender-balanced group of 270 anonymous voters, made up of cocktail experts, educators, authors, journalists, bartenders and bar owners from across North America. For this vote, the continent is divided into seven regions: Canada East; Canada West; USA Northeast; USA Midwest; USA West; USA South; Mexico and the Caribbean.
Library by the Sea will soon launch a new cocktail menu, featuring a fresh lineup of exceedingly creative and immersive cocktails that are still approachable. The passion of the Library by the Sea team translates to each cocktail and interaction within the brightly lit space, adorned with decor that pays homage to Caymanian culture.
