The best beer bars Montreal

With its vintage and trendy look, Harricana brings back the good old days of brasseries in a bistro version and a friendly bar. The menu reflects the image of the place: eclectic, mixing the great brewery classics, family cuisine and bistro dishes. To top it all off, the place also brews its own beers on the spot, including matured or barrel-aged editions, as well as versions resulting from a blend or a technique out of the ordinary, because creativity is the order of the day here. To be discovered without hesitation!

Part craft brewery, part beer bar, part gastropub, Le Saint-Bock is routinely packed. Between the beers brewed on site, those of other Quebec microbreweries and private imports, there are dozens of beers on the menu, so it might take you a while to decide... For those with cravings, the menu ranges from burgers to nachos and other gourmet dishes that rhyme with beer. And the kitchen stays open every night until 2am. In short, a classic to try!

Open since 1996, the illustrious artisanal brewery on Saint-Denis Street has acquired a loyal clientele thanks to the quality of its products. Always striving for excellence, the owners have drawn inspiration from German and Czech styles to develop their beer menu. L'Amère à boire specializes in the brewing of low fermentation beers (lagers) and also offers several ales. The bistro style dishes (nachos, burgers, poutine...) go perfectly with the slate beers. A must in the Latin Quarter.

This craft brewer offers a wide range of beers from Belgian white to orange peel and coriander, as well as forest IPA and imperial stout. For those who would be curious to discover the backstage, the microbrewery can be visited on weekends. Here, the dishes are also homemade: meat or fish tartars, burgers, sandwiches and dishes cooked with beer. And what about the home-made fries that are worth the trip alone! A friendly atmosphere is guaranteed and, as a bonus, a huge terrace in summer.

Brutopia has become a small institution on Crescent Street. We go there for its tasty homemade beers, but also for its pleasant atmosphere. For the little ones, take a look at the gourmet menu (dishes to share, burgers, etc.). Should we mention the many free shows, the "open mic" Sundays, the heated terrace at the back? The small business encourages the local economy while promoting respect for the environment in each of its operations.

Ideally located on the banks of the Lachine Canal, this brand new microbrewery offers a very pleasant setting to spend a good evening with friends. Although the kitsch decoration may not be to everyone's taste, the real asset of this bar is in the relaxed atmosphere that reigns there. And the numerous self-service games are not for nothing. Ping-pong tables, table soccer, arcade games, air field hockey or even board games, the place was created for the children in us to have fun freely. Well, kids who drink (good) beer anyway...

For the record, EtOH is a contraction used in medical and scientific circles to refer to ethanol, a molecule with intoxicating properties so sought-after and present in all alcoholic beverages. On site, about twenty lines of barrels serve delicious homemade nectars as well as beers from other Quebec microbreweries. You'll also find a fine selection of ciders, meads, liqueurs and spirits from Quebec and elsewhere. Sandwiches, a variety of tartars, sharing boards and other small dishes are also on the menu.

The trendy address of La Petite-Patrie, Yïsst (from the word "yeast" in French) has a common denominator: the famous yeast, found in beer, wine and bread, among other things, the stars of the place. First of all, the homemade beer, brewed in collaboration with the Branch in the MaBrasserie's facilities, but also a menu of guest nectars. Then the wine, by the glass or bottle, including some organic wines and a local selection. Finally the bread, like the tasty flatbreads on the menu. Another nice address to try!

The credo here? Sobriety. The tables are arranged in front of the large openings, the wooden bar spins for several metres, with its twenty or so barrel lines in the background, while works by local artists adorn the walls. The slate displays homemade beers (Pilsner, American Pale Ale, West Coast IPA, Café Rico Breakfast Stout, etc.) as well as nectars from other Quebec microbreweries, but also cocktails, selected wines and spirits for those who love more robust products. On the kitchen side, the chef puts Quebec on your plate by sourcing, as much as possible, from local producers. A great HQ for beer and food lovers!

The jewel of Little Italy, just a stone's throw from the Jean-Talon Market, Birra is a brewery in 2.0 mode. Birra's in-house beers are the result of a unique and resolutely local collaboration: the recipes are developed and brewed on site. All you have to do is enjoy the atmosphere, with a glass of Ginette or Saint-Laurent in hand, inside the establishment or on the sunny terrace. And on Monday evenings, it's music quiz night, a joyful rendez-vous!

Located in Marché Bonsecours, BreWskey is divided into three entities. First, there's the pub on rue Saint-Paul, with its great food(mac & cheese, ribs, etc.), in-house beers and, above all, an incredible selection of whiskies. Then there's the taproom of the craft brewery (rue de la Commune), with some thirty keg lines and a slate of local spirits, all on a beautiful terrace overlooking the Old Port. The annex is the latest addition: a Prohibition-themed boutique and bar (rue Saint-Paul).

Siboire Saint-Laurent, the third Siboire branch to open, is located in a century-old building in the heart of the lively Plateau Mont-Royal district. With a constantly evolving selection of house beers and a varied bistro-style food menu, Siboire Saint-Laurent is sure to satisfy the beer lover in you, and provide a first-rate brewing experience thanks to its unique atmosphere. The big plus: the terrace, which stays sunny for much longer than its neighbors!

This craft brewery in Old Rosemont brews more than fifteen beers: Czech Pilsner, Kölsh, Weizen, IPA, Porter, Imperial Stout... The slate also displays some imported brewery jewels, ciders, several whiskies and gins, wines and cocktails. For the little ones, the menu puts the emphasis on regional products. We love the impressive ceiling height, the furniture built by a local cabinetmaker and the superb custom-made painting by artist Renaud Hébert. A beautiful place where you want to put down roots!

The inhabitants of the district and the thirsty bièrophiles for novelties welcomed this first artisanal brewery of the south-east of the island, opened in 2012. On the menu were homemade beers and a fine selection of Quebec beers that changes with the seasons. The warm place also hosts various events and exhibitions. Good to know: you can find some of their beers in cans (produced all year round) and limited editions in bottles (brewed once a year).

This hop headquarters opened its doors on the site of Marguerite d'Youville's original religious congregation, the Grey Nuns. It serves a range of draught beers, all brewed on site, as well as wine and cocktails. On the food side: quesadillas, tacos, tapas and comfort food (hot-smoked salmon, crispy chicken burgers, pulled pork sandwiches, ribs with BBQ and maple sauce) or plates to share for a touch of conviviality.