Bites Nearby: Library Sports Pub & Grill

has written the book on Irish-style pubs in West Bloomfield since 2005.

That has as much to do with above-average “library” standards — cleanliness, customer service — as much as a perfect atmosphere for St. Patrick's Day and March Madness, according to general manager Glenna Lynch.

“When we had the Michigan-Michigan State (men’s college basketball) game March 5th, we had fans from both games … it’s a pro-Sparty crowd, and it gets pretty packed. We have five big screens, which we pull down over the books at that time. Before then, it’s almost literally a library,” Lynch said last week as ESPN showed college basketball highlights overhead in anticipation of the March Madness basketball tournament.

Lynch said that the pub, which offers a low light in the afternoon hours with the windows open and a stage for music, most often used by the Killer Flamingos on Thursday, is well-known to its diverse regulars of families and business people for its cleanliness and order. The big-screen televisions pull down at different angles throughout the restaurant so every seat has a view.

The Library will no doubt feature a packed house Thursday for the tip-off of March Madness and the St. Patrick’s Day holiday occurring on the same day, Lynch said. The Library will feature special dishes to cater to an “everybody’s Irish” crowd with corned beef and cabbage, black and tan stew and corned beef sliders with green beer. There will also be discounts on drinks in addition to normal happy hour deals.

“It’s been a big day for business throughout the years and every year it’s a little better,” Lynch said. “It’s just a great place to watch a game or to hang out and it’s a nice place to work, too.”

Recommended dishes: Oriental chicken salad, cashew chicken salad, pub's house salad, pub's choice pizza

Prices: Appetizers $2.95-$15.35, entrees $8.50-$18.95

Credit cards: All major 

Hours: 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Monday-Friday, noon-2 a.m. Sunday