The best bars and cafés Montreal

This virile bar, assiduously frequented by leather lovers and bears, organizes numerous themed events. The DJs draw on all musical styles (rock, disco, electro...). The atmosphere is boiling hot and it's impossible to be alone. The narrowness of the dance floor has a lot to do with it... In the restaurant, classics ranging from poutine to burgers are on offer to fill up on calories before the evening begins. The undisputed haunt of the Village's gay community. Muffled atmosphere, sweat, leather and conviviality!

The magnificent terrace of the Nelson Garden is a very popular place, a large space decorated with vegetation in the middle of the urbanity of Old Montreal. On Wednesday and Thursday evenings as well as all day on weekends, a jazz ensemble plays a soft melody on the terrace. On the menu are rather classic dishes such as pizzas, gratins, burgers or crepes and the prices are quite high... But one comes there especially for the framework and the music which are strong arguments to go there to make a turn.

Club Date is "THE" karaoke bar in the Village. It's a place with a relaxed atmosphere where gays, lesbians, transvestites, drags and straights come to sing along at night. You might even leave with a video recording of your performance, for better or for worse... Even if you're not a fan of karaoke or if you sing like a pan, don't hesitate to push the door of Club Date. The atmosphere is unpretentious and you'll meet a lot of characters, some of whom sing very well!

The bar takes its name from its founder, Else Smith, who boasted that she was the oldest punk in town. The decoration is rather artisanal: we discover a new little detail each time, marrying perfectly with the collages on the tables and the advertising posters. Warm and dark colours dominate, for an intimate and subdued atmosphere. The place, rather frequented by a clientele of English-speaking academics, has kept a bohemian spirit and remains as popular as ever, more than twenty years after its opening.

Bily Kun means "white horse" in Czech. The idea came from one of the bistro's owners, who had previously worked at Cheval Blanc on Ontario Street. Only the name and style of the Centre-Sud brewery were imported, the rest having undergone the essential modifications to adapt to the standing of Mont-Royal Avenue. Mission accomplished: people are on their feet almost every night. A DJ is on hand Fridays and Saturdays from 10pm, and jazz and classical musicians perform regularly. Check out the program on their website.

Opening in July 2019, this Little Italy address is worth discovering. The menu offers a very nice selection of wines as well as small savory dishes and desserts that are as original as they are delicious, not to mention the discovery menu for two. The house cocktails are also tasty, without forgetting the "holes" (balls of sorbet sprinkled with alcohol) revisited. The interior offers several atmospheres: small tables in the dining room for a romantic evening, seats at the bar to admire the dishes or larger tables in front of the bay window.

Nice and bright neighbourhood café with a family and artistic atmosphere, close to the Saint-Jacques market. It was named in honor of the famous Lebanese vegan cake made of wheat semolina, scented with turmeric and decorated with pine nuts. This speciality goes wonderfully well with hot drinks, always served with good humour. The slate also displays simple and tasty dishes: sweet or savoury toasts, soups and salads, and all kinds of sweets. On weekends, the Lebanese brunch plate is succulent.

Clearly a café that stands out from the others with its fairground themed concept that can be felt in all four corners of the place: an old roller coaster car at the entrance, small cabins for young and old, video games in a small lounge, colors everywhere and even a haunted house in the toilets. Food on the go, sandwiches, wraps, paninis and grilled cheese, chili, soups and a few sweets on the menu, including the vegan brownie, not to mention the range of hot and cold drinks, with or without alcohol. To be discovered!

The Atwater Cocktail Club is THE speakeasy of the Saint-Henri district. It welcomes you, as it should, without any sign or indication. A normal alley, a little dark, located at the back of the restaurant Foiegwa (owners of the place), will lead you to a bar room with a sophisticated decor signed Gaulay Brothers. Banquettes and candles for a cozy atmosphere, chic cocktails for romantic evenings. On the slate, you can also find some of the dishes from the restaurant Foiegwa. A must-try if you're just passing through the neighborhood.

A place not to be missed on the banks of the Lachine Canal. After a walk, a bike ride or a kayak ride, what better than this huge terrace to enjoy a little more sunshine at the end of the day? The atmosphere is relaxed and you will meet groups of friends and families (some outdoor games are sometimes available). The range of beers from the McAuslan brewery is there, as well as some snacks for the aperitif. An address where regulars flock, especially to enjoy the incredible setting.

During the day, you come and sit there with your computer or a good book, enjoying a coffee or some pastries from the Autumn bakery, or simply to watch the people in a hurry passing by on the boulevard, behind the large bay windows. In the evening, the atmosphere is subdued, you order a glass of wine, many if the evening is good, and you let yourself be tempted to share a plate of 100% Quebec products. The Darling opened its doors in March 2017 and quickly won over the residents of the neighbourhood and elsewhere.

This jazz cellar is an institution of the Plateau. Every evening of opening, two shows are performed. From gypsy jazz to traditional jazz, passing by flamenco, everything is good to warm up the cold winter evenings. On the menu: tapas (oysters, tartar, pork from the market...) and a nice wine list. The bar participates in the Off-Jazz and the Montreal International Jazz Festival. An address for lovers of this musical style and hushed atmospheres.

This café is one of the most pleasant gourmet landmarks in the area. In summer, the terrace on the street is shaded. In winter, you can sit on the benches near the windows to watch the snow fall. In all seasons, you can spend hours reading or working. Or even better: you come here for the ultimate afternoon tea experience with its sweet and savoury delicacies to be enjoyed with a good tea of your choice. Special mention for the scones!

This grandiose bar is entered through a tiny black door. The transparent roof reveals a romantic counter. Cocktails are light and delicate, like the Vol de Nuit (calvados, sherry, rum, crème de mûre, lemon and thyme) or round and gourmet, like the Bon pour le Moral (vodka, coconut, curacao, elderberry, rum, orange, pineapple, lemon and vanilla). Good news: you can also accompany your cocktail with a pizza from next door: Fugazzi Pizza. Even if the price is a few dollars higher when you go through this privileged setting.

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!

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.

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!

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!

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.

Since its opening in 2021, this microbrewery has never been empty. Both inside and out, you can enjoy one of the beers brewed on site at communal tables, in a convivial atmosphere. Pizza Toni's pizzas are also available, as well as a few snacks for the aperitif. Mellön is a reference to The Lord of the Rings, a shared cinematic passion of the two childhood friends who founded the place. In fact, there's a ring hidden in the bar, and those who find it could be rewarded...

A counter of curiosity where all the elements that constitute the decoration, as original and strange as they are, can be bought. Created in the middle of a pandemic, the address is now very much alive, with one event following another: comedy shows, jazz, musical quizzes... The dance floor is always ready to welcome the most daring of the crowd. For those who are a little peckish, the menu includes a choice of sandwiches and boards made from preserves, cold cuts and artisanal cheeses. It's a friendly neighborhood bar that exudes good humor.

Steel furniture, green plants and a skylight let in a peaceful atmosphere. Café OSMO is home to Japanese restaurant Marusan, formerly based in Old Montreal. The sando sandwiches in particular are really good, but the curries and ramen are just as mouth-watering. From time to time, the turntables at the back of the room are occupied by a DJ who comes to mix for a few hours. The courtyard is great in summer, even better with a jasmine iced tea.

A ton of board games, a great selection of microbrewery beers and comforting pub food, all under one roof! Bricks and wood give a warm touch to the industrial-style decoration of this game bar. For fans of quiz nights, Wednesday night is the night. Other events are organised on a regular basis, such as "role-playing Sundays". Arcade games and video games are also available.