Fun and entertainment Canada

Two friends with a passion for coffee started this micro-coffee shop in the Glebe district where the first branch is still located (801 Bank Street). There, as in their downtown location, everything is centered around coffee, its origin, its quality but also the respect of its small producers. In a pretty white and uncluttered room, you can choose to taste your coffee immediately or buy it in beans or ground for home. Several sweets are also available to accompany your coffee.

It is in a pretty historical building that the small brewery Gan Brewing Company has settled. The interior, just as warm, gives the air of a mountain chalet. Adjacent to the brewing facilities, the tasting room allows you to discover the house vintages. At the time of writing, nearly a dozen beers were available in cans (Lager, American Pale Ale, IPA, Stout, etc.), but other beers are added to the slate according to the seasons and experiments. A nice stop in the heart of the village!

This is clearly one of the most country-style breweries in Ontario, run by the Parsons family. The building housing the tasting room and beer store is made from reclaimed wood, set between a barley field and a hop field, with a beautiful beer garden in the middle of nature. Six regular beers are on the menu, along with countless seasonal and experimental beers of the most creative kind. They also serve a cuisine with world flavors concocted from local products. A must!

This small microbrewery is located on the banks of the Seguin River, with a breathtaking view of the famous railway bridge. We love the look of its tasting room and, on nice days, its beautiful terraces are highly coveted (with heated domes in winter!). On tap are regular brews like the house's flagship lager ale, IPA, Kettle Sour and bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout, not to mention the seasonal beers on rotation. A tempting gourmet menu is also available, as well as a weekend brunch.

It's not every day you walk through a big, locked door to go dancing... The Vault is in the basement of the former Royal Bank headquarters, on the level of the vaults! Needless to say, the space is incredible, perfect for an evening out of the ordinary. Theme evenings are organised every month, in addition to one-off events such as Mardi Gras or Chinese New Year (hosts and hostesses in disguise set the mood even before entering the club). Possibility to book online.

At the corner of rue Notre-Dame Ouest and rue de Courcelle, this well-decorated neighborhood bar offers a rather classic and limited selection of beers, quickly compensated for by its relaxed atmosphere and cocktail menu. Snacks and hearty platters are also on offer. The bar often organizes events in partnership with local restaurants. Good to know: the leafy terrace stays sunny well into summer. A great place to discover the authentic spirit of the Saint-Henri district.

It all starts at a bicycle cafe that roams the streets of the city... Then, in 2016, Maxime and his two associates open their first café in the Petite-Patrie. In addition to a range of caffeinated drinks made from home-roasted beans, they serve excellent pastries and baked goods and simple, healthy snacks (sandwiches and bowls). This small neighbourhood address is so successful that another space will be opened downtown (café during the day, private room in the evening) in 2019, followed by a new roasting workshop on Masson Drive in 2020.

A superb space on the waterfront promoting local food and sustainability. You can stock up on local Quebec produce, especially at the Saturday farmers' market. On sunny days, you can also sit out on the magnificent terrace and enjoy a freshly squeezed juice, an organic, micro-torrefied coffee, or a glass of wine accompanied by local cheeses. Hungry eaters can turn to the food courts and the weekend gourmet brunch (9am-3pm). An essential break during a stroll through the Old Port!

A classic in the Cabbagetown area for over thirty years, this coffee shop has not aged a bit. The place still attracts its regulars who come to surf the web while sipping a good latte with a home-made sweet. Founded by a bicycle enthusiast in 1992, as the bike perched on top of the bar testifies, Jet Fuel is also highly frequented by the city's cycling community. In short, the place is nice and offers visual art exhibitions that change every month!

Located in the heart of the huge Lansdowne urban site in The Glebe neighbourhood, TD Place Stadium is home to the CFL's professional football team, the Ottawa Redblacks. The atmosphere is at its peak during home games during the season! But TD Place is also used to host a variety of events, from comedy shows to music shows and sports games in a variety of disciplines. Tickets can be purchased online, by phone or directly at the on-site box office.

Located in the heart of Place Royale, the first branch of this renowned coffee roaster invites you to take a well-deserved break, whether you're in the mood for a good espresso, an iced caramel fleur de sel latte or a homemade lemonade. You can also eat there, as the menu offers snacks, pastries, salads, sandwiches and delicious pastries for sweet teeth. There are several other locations in Quebec City, including the one on Rue des Jardins with its pretty interior courtyard, as well as one on Île d'Orléans.

Located in the heart of Tadoussac village, this coffee-shop has been serving locals and tourists alike since 2021. Hot or iced, all beverages are prepared here with care and love (especially the smoothies made with Nordic berries such as camerise and sea buckthorn). For a snack, pastries, salads, sandwiches, lunch bowls and other on-the-go delights are on offer, with options for vegetarians, vegans and gluten intolerants. Bonus: a small boutique corner with coffee-shop branded items.

The town of Bonaventure finally has its own microbrewery! Opened in summer 2022 in a beautiful, uncluttered space, it serves locals and visitors in search of local flavours. A dozen house nectars appear on the slate, and for discovery, we recommend the tasting tray of 4 small glasses. You can also enjoy a bite to eat on the premises, not to mention a program of shows, quiz nights and more. Board games available.

The former Caveau-Théâtre is now a microbrewery. The place's past and regional history are reflected in the names of the beers, such as La Guerre des Clochers (rye stout), the name of the last play performed at the Caveau-Théâtre before it closed, or La Dame des Neiges (Belgian white with forest essences), a reference to the patron saint of Trois-Pistoles. Programming of literary, musical and artistic events, and brunch on summer weekends.

A true North Shore microbrewery, its offerings include a Hefeweizen (a German-inspired wheat beer), an American IPA (bitter and floral hops), an English Bitter with "crâââbe" (yes, yes!) and a Farmhouse Ale (strong Saison with dune pepper), as well as tasty snacks and appetizers featuring tasty local produce. Also worth a visit: the Usine Saint-Pancrace, a brewing facility (self-guided discovery tour offered) and a boutique where you can stock up on home-brewed beers.

We love this multi-purpose place! Café bistro first, with a menu of light meals consisting of fine pizzas, succulent paninis, gourmet salads and other delicacies decorated with edible flowers, to be accompanied by a beer from the region. A cultural bistro with a varied artistic program: performing arts shows, art exhibitions, artists' workshops... Finally, a boutique with a great selection of regional products, art objects, weaving, etc. The owners have made this barn the cultural heart of the village.

This vast bar opened in September 2019, the day after the Montreal Climate March. Coincidence? Whatever the case, this new address on Plaza Saint-Hubert seems to be winning its bet, judging by the crowds who flock there for a drink (some twenty craft beers and house cocktails) or to attend an event ('live' every weekend and a karaoke night every Wednesday).

Little thirsty? Little peck? Pain in the legs? Just curious? Any excuse is good to discover this café, a little hidden treasure of the neighborhood. Located in a former bank, the decor is simply grandiose, from the floor to the ceiling through the columns. At the top of the large steps, you will find a quiet café area as well as a shared work area with meeting rooms and offices, where you can book an office for a day or a month. Very good coffee and fresh pastries every day.

A summer destination par excellence, this outdoor "village" is managed by the organization La Pépinière|Espaces Collectifs, which also manages other such sites in the city. The village is located a few steps from the St. Lawrence River and the Jacques-Cartier Bridge. In addition to the sand and deckchairs that immerse us in the South, you can have a drink, a bite to eat and enjoy a free program that includes live shows or DJs almost every day.

If Montrealers are familiar with Paquebot Café, the^4th branch has chosen to set up shop by the sea. Isabelle Huard and Samuel Perreault, already well involved in the company (Samuel opened the first café in Montreal), are at the helm of this ultra-friendly place that is a café by day and a bar by night. Specialty coffees from his joint venture ZAB Roaster, natural wines, local microbrewery beers, brunches, gourmet sweet treats... it's all there! In summer, try Cafélimo, a coffee and lemonade drink.

A meeting place for Sherbrooke residents since 1929, originally built as a movie theatre, this highly reputed performance venue welcomes a number of artists from Quebec and beyond, with a rich and varied program. Music, musical revues, comedy and lectures share the stage at Salle Sylvio-Lacharité. Note that some shows are presented at other venues in Sherbrooke, such as the famous Concerts de la Cité or the Sherblues & Folk festival, both of which take place downtown.

Need a break between your thousand gourmet purchases at the Grand Marché de Québec? Without even setting foot outside (unless the market is closed), you can satisfy your cravings for beer and good food. The place brews delicious nectars like SNOstorm, a New England style IPA with pineapple, mango and citrus flavours. Pair it with one of the generous and tasty house dishes, which incorporate many of the products sold at the Grand Marché.

For more than a decade, the Bonsecours pavilion has offered itself a new vocation during the summer season: a bistro coupled with a nightclub at night, directly on the banks of the St. Lawrence. With its multiple floors and terraces, its VIP lounge and its renowned DJs, it is definitely one of the trendiest places in the city. Don't miss the Sunday Boozy Brunch, starting at noon, where good food, mimosas, cocktails and champagne are on the menu (reservations required). This is the place to be seen in Montreal!

An excellent place to discover Quebec beers with a dozen rotating cask lines. The place is also famous for its cocktails served in a Mason jar. But you shouldn't miss its gourmet menu, which includes burgers, poutines, poke bowls and, above all, the best tartars in the region (as an appetizer or meal). Melkior also prepares a NEIPA beer fondue that can be found at several retailers in Lanaudière. Not to be missed: the quiz nights that attract the crowds!

Founded in 2009, Nektar aims to educate coffee consumers while supporting the sustainable development of producers. You can discover the coffees of this roaster by the cup on the spot, which you will accompany with one of the tasty pastries, or fill up with coffee beans or ground for the house. Accessories and maintenance products for your machine are also on display. Also, preparation guides are available online to make you the best barista in your household.

Located in the Little Burgundy district in the south of downtown, the Burgundy Lion is not a traditional pub. The owners focus on a superior product, from food and drink to service and atmosphere. The whisky and beer list is sure to please, not to mention the fine wine and cocktail list. This is a real gastro-pub, with special mention for the Welshman's Bride (braised lamb shank) and aufish& chips. In short, an upscale address that doesn't skimp on quality and diversity!

A well-known Mile End address, halfway between neighborhood bar and trendy club. The Waverly got a makeover in 2023 with a brand-new look. Original cocktails are the house specialty. The gourmet menu will satisfy both small and large appetites, and is an excellent choice for a comforting poutine-beer combo. In the evenings, DJs take to the decks with electro, vintage and other styles for an eclectic sound. Comedy nights on Mondays. Discover it for yourself!

A café-bar with a strong presence on the local tourist and cultural scene, its calendar of events includes visual art exhibitions, themed evenings and, during the summer months, movie nights and concerts on the lovely terrace. To quench the thirst of visitors, a menu of local and imported beers will please everyone (happy hour from 4 to 9 pm), not to mention cocktails and spirits. If you are feeling peckish, you can order a good pizza from the Pi'za-za restaurant located a few steps away and enjoy it on the terrace.

One of the trendiest places in the district, the Pub in the Latin Quarter has a lounge and relaxed atmosphere. In addition to a selection of ports, wines and scotches, the pub is a proud representative of hops and serves as a showcase for Quebec brands such as Boréale, McAuslan and Le Cheval Blanc. In the summer, head for the magnificent terrace. In the kitchen, the good dishes are concocted on site (spreads, plates of Quebec cheeses or deli meats, sandwiches, etc.) and are perfect to accompany a drink. In short, a highly recommended place for an aperitif!

First of all, we must mention the setting: the St. Lawrence River just a few meters away, with terraces and a courtyard equipped with picnic tables offering an incomparable view of the river. It already makes you want to put down roots! And it's a good thing too, because the place has plenty to fill your gullet, starting with its selection of house beers like La P'tite Floride, a juicy NEIPA, or La Perle Noire, an imperial stout. On the plate, dishes for carnivores, for grazers, from the smokehouse and from the sea. We recommend the pizzas, which are very popular here.

Chez Renard is a café, restaurant and refreshment bar in one. Ève Beaudoin Galaise and Philippe Raymond, the two founders of this gourmet address, offer an ever-changing menu featuring products from the Magdalen Islands and the rest of the province. While morning coffee is served with a homemade bagel spread with Pied-de-vent cream cheese, evenings are devoted to sharing dishes, fine wines and cocktails.

It is in the beautiful area of L'Anse-aux-Baleiniers that a small group of young entrepreneurs decided to open a surf bar where the Islands' riding community and the curious gather. The place offers all kinds of good cocktails (try them in pitcher version!), but also beers and wines from Quebec, coffee prepared by a local burner and other tasty elixirs. Bonus: a program of musical shows and DJ nights, art shows, creative workshops, etc. A festive spot to discover!

It's in the former premises of the historic Dominion Textile building that this nice "third wave" café has set up shop. We come here for a good dose of caffeine (try the iced coffee in summer), but also for its succulent grilled cheese like The Cowboy with marinated beef, bacon, sautéed onions and mushrooms, mozzarella cheese and BBQ sauce. The Shop also offers breakfasts and salads, not to mention alcoholic cocktails, craft beers and house-made lemonades. Bonus: visual art exhibits as a guide to decorating.

This is it! Since 2021, the James Bay Eeyou Istchee region finally has its very first microbrewery. The four people behind the project focus on local products, whether it's the furniture built by Chantiers Chibougamau, the works of a local artist that adorn the walls or the ingredients that make up the beers, which are harvested by FaunENord. In addition to the house beers, the place has a superb cellar of privately imported wines, not to mention the Quebec spirits and the gourmet menu that will please every palate.

Located a little east of the Olympic Park and the Espace pour la vie institutions, this microbrewery is the perfect place to take a break. We have to admit that we're quite fond of this place. Is it the beautiful design of the place? The wonderful selection of house beers that makes us want to try everything? The gourmet menu with, among other things, its incredible pizzas baked in a wood oven? Most likely a little bit of all of the above! And since you'll fall in love with the house beers, there's a shop area where you can stock up.

In 1985, Lamine Touré had the bright idea of conquering a small part of La Main with tropical rhythms. Club Balattou was thus the very first tropical discotheque in the country, and soon became a pioneer of world music, as well as being at the origin of the Nuits d'Afrique festival. Today, it's safe to say it's a Montreal cult venue, and has been for almost 40 years. Balattou is all about cultural diversity through music, the enchantment of discoveries and the abolition of borders. in short, "Around the world in one evening".

A veritable musical creation complex and nerve center for Quebec City's creative renaissance, Le Pantoum is at once a concert venue, a creation, rehearsal and recording studio, a record label (Les disques Dure Vie) and an event manager. While its programming showcases local talent, artists from elsewhere also take to the stage. This non-profit organization is self-managed by its artists and cultural workers. A must-see!

Charming neighborhood refreshment bar, one comes to savor one or more wines from a list composed mostly of Canadian and Quebec biodynamic or natural wines. The menu doesn't stop there, also offering craft beers, ciders and spirits (especially gin) from here and elsewhere. Don't miss the small gourmet dishes that vary according to the season and inspiration. The aperitif tower is a good idea for a group.

Located in the heart of historic Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Exchange microbrewery is housed in a beautiful period house. They brew divine nectars including a Berliner Weisse, a New England style IPA and a Porter that reveals all its flavors when served in cask. The microbrewery also has dozens of oak barrels that were used in a Jordan vineyard to age its Belgian-inspired beers. Bonus: a boutique and a program of activities (comedy shows, quiz nights, etc.).