46 Best Bars in Montreal, Quebec

Making its name through word of mouth alone, Furco is one of the trendiest Downtown bistro bars. Furco, short for Fur Company since it's housed in an old fur warehouse, is one of those places for which people make reservations—and for good reason. It's all about the industrial-chic interior, the warm amber lighting, and the relaxed, inviting vibe. And a great outdoor terrace. A nice mix of clientele, great food (the menu changes weekly), and good pours also help make this a popular after-work hangout for locals, and the perfect retreat from the Quartier des Spectacles, a stone's throw away.

This Czech-themed bar is a favorite hangout of Plateau locals. There's live jazz during the cocktail hour and a DJ or classical performances later in the evening. Try an absinthe-laced apple cocktail from the extensive alcohol menu as you nibble on a few tapas. Bily Kun gets packed, though the high ceilings help alleviate the feeling of claustrophobia.

Owned by the same people who run Coldroom, El Pequeño Bar really lives up to its name: the bar seats only nine, it's that small. For all its diminutive size El Pequeño packs a big punch, having been named one of Canada's top 50 bars in early 2020, ranking at no. 4. Adorned with an ornate glass chandelier, white marble countertops, and dozens of Caribbean rum bottles behind the bar, this pocket-sized spot is an homage to the 1920s Havana hotel lobby bar. Gifted cantineros (bartenders) specialize in mixing Cubanos and other rum-based cocktails while recounting tales of Ernest Hemingway in his Havana period. In summer, there's a good-sized terrace outside.

With its unappealing storefront, bric-a-brac décor, retro knickknacks, and sceney vibes, Majestique is a quirky wine bar that's open until the wee hours with an excellent selection of small plates. The snazzy surroundings only add to the charm of this fine-dining-meets-casual savoir faire; the salmon confit, foot-long hot dog, quinoa croquette, and rotating choice of fresh oysters are musts. Note that minors are not allowed on the premises.

At this sophisticated yet relaxed wine bar, let yourself be guided by the expertise of the sommeliers. The tapas-style cuisine is top-notch, and the green beans with truffle oil and roasted almonds are scrumptious. During cooler months things get going at 4:30 pm, but in summer don't arrive until the sun starts to set.

It's all about the beer at this friendly restaurant and bar, where it's all brewed right on the premises. Packed almost every night of the week, this bar has everything from India pale ales to German-inspired wheat beers. The upstairs patio is the ideal spot for watching locals stroll along the quaint cobblestoned avenue.

Five nights a week, the cheerful Joel Giberovitch greets you personally near the entrance to his club, which despite the name is actually downstairs. Giberovitch loves what he does, and the constant stream of local and imported jazz musicians makes this the favored jazz hangout in the city. The eclectic menu makes a nice accompaniment to the live music—try the home-cut fries with smoky mayo or the linguine al pesto and portobello mushroom. Cover charge starts at C$5 and can go up to C$45 for big-ticket performers during Jazz Fest. The third set is free (usually around 11 pm), and other sets are also free if you sit on one of the cozy terraces.  Parking costs only C$7. Ask your server for a ticket.

Winner of a prestigious Spirited Award for top international bar by the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, this popular Little Burgundy cocktail club is located at the back end of the restaurant Foiegwa. You enter from the lane through a red-lit unmarked door, behind which lies a dimly lit speakeasy universe of shiny silver leather banquettes, mirrored ceiling, and a gorgeous bar of malachite green marble peopled by thirtysomething scenesters. Kitschy banquettes aside, the drinks, arranged in a paint-chip color palette, are all elegance. The Glitter Green, for instance, is a mix of blanco tequila, mezcal, lime, cucumber, jalapeño, and Tajín. The purple Smoke Show artfully blends three-star rum, blackberry liqueur, lemon, thyme, blackberry, and blueberry, while the yellow Mercury mixes pineapple, lime, ginger, orgeat, black walnut bitters, mint, and soda. For growling stomachs, the kitchen serves everything from appetizers such as oysters Rockfeller, fries, and tomato-onion tarts to mains like truffle spaghetti, cheeseburgers, and mushroom-and-lentil-stuffed cabbage.

Named for the street that epitomizes the Mile End, this neighborhood bar has a warm staff, friendly atmosphere, and a great selection of Scotch. Owners Richard Holder and Olivier Farley have been in the business for years, and it shows. Nightly DJs provide an edgier vibe, while huge floor-to-ceiling windows make it perfect for people-watching.

Fans of blues, punk, country, and bluegrass jam into this tiny hole-in-the-wall, which has some of the cheapest drink prices on boulevard St-Laurent. A very popular hangout for locals, Barfly is arguably the premier dive bar in the city.

Barely noticeable from the outside, this discreet, dimly lit cocktail den has won awards for design and been lauded by critics as one of the most beautiful bars, if not the most beautiful, in the city. Heavy drapes and propane "candles" in small glasses that reflect the surface of the labyrinthine wraparound bar imbue this chic space with a subdued speakeasy feel. Unlike an izakaya, you don't come here to eat but to drink, so few snacks are available. The bar stocks a nice selection of sakes and sojus, as well as Suntory Toki, a Japanese whiskey. Beers, killer cocktails, and a handpicked list of wines round out the drinks menu.

House-brewed concoctions like Raspberry Blond Beer or Mango Session IPA attract locals and tourists alike, and lately the kitchen has been serving up delicious tapas-style pub food, including some healthy vegetarian and vegan options. In addition to the unique brews, check out the sprawling outdoor seating, the art gallery on the third floor, and nightly live music. A typical crowd at Brutopia is under 30, but older folk shouldn't feel out of place. With live music ranging from traditional Irish folk to the occasional punk or psychedelic ’60s garage band, this pub serves as a refreshing alternative to the slightly more upscale, trendy bars and nightclubs that mark the Crescent Street strip.

In business on The Main since 1991, this restaurant, lounge, and weekend supper club continues to pull out all the stops. There's top-notch Italian cuisine, a comprehensive wine list, well-known DJs, and even a concierge. Celebrities are known to drop by when in town.

This British pub in St-Henri serves food that's a notch above the usual. Scotch eggs and the ploughman's lunch are paired with an English take on Québec's beloved poutine—with Stilton cheese and caramelized onions—though it's the fish-and-chips that really shine. Be sure to grab a pint of the Burgundy Lion Ale, or any of the many other beers on draft. If you're a whisky aficionado, the Burgundy Lion stocks Québec's largest list of blends, single malts, Scotches, Irish whiskies, bourbons, ryes, and other whiskies from around the globe. Two patios are open in the summer for alfresco drinking. Note that it can get loud in the evenings. On Sunday afternoons, high tea is served in the true English style in the four-season solarium—by reservation only. 

Makeup, glitter, and glamorous costumes abound at this nightclub with drag-queen entertainment. Mado herself is a Québec celebrity (so much so that she was immortalized in wax at the now-defunct Grévin museum inside Centre Eaton). During karaoke and improv evenings, even the clientele can get involved.

One of the city's treasured venues for indie rock, jazz, reggae, blues, folk, and hip-hop, this neighborhood bar is ideal for discovering up-and-coming local acts or forgotten international giants still touring. While you enjoy the music, take a look at the original art and sample some of the tasty vegetarian food.

Music (including cabaret), food, gambling: there's something for everyone at the Casino de Montréal, which is open around the clock. On Île Notre-Dame, it's easily accessible by car, bicycle, or bus. The casino has more than 3,000 slot machines, a keno lounge, a high-stakes gaming area, and 120 tables for baccarat, craps, blackjack, roulette, and various types of poker, as well as four new restaurants and three new bars.

The granddaddy of the city's rock clubs has evolved into one of the dominant venues for jazz, reggae, techno, and rhythm and blues. Club Soda is a tall, narrow concert hall with high-tech design and 500 seats—all of them with great sight lines.

Small, semiprivate lounges are scattered throughout the two-story complex, and the beautiful rooftop terrace is one of the finest in the Village. Unity is one of the longest-running, most popular gay dance clubs in town—although, despite some complaints, you'll often find as many straight girls here as you will gay men. Open weekends from 10 pm to 3 am.

No advertised street number. A secret, nondescript steel door in the back. Imaginative, award-winning mixologists. A cocktail selection that changes with the seasons. Twists on old classics (think: an old-fashioned with mezcal). Clear, no-nonsense house rules:

"Act your age, or you'll be required to be accompanied by a parent or guardian."

"For all make out purposes, may we suggest our next door neighbour The William Gray hotel? Get a room."

And just for the men: "Know your alcohol limits. Stay classy."

"Erase the word 'slut' and 'gay' and any other abusive language from your vocabulary."

"Learn some dance moves. If you need help, ask our manager Dan."

To be admitted, simply push the button and wait for the light to flicker red. What more could you want in a speakeasy?

A chalkboard scribbled with rotating craft beers and a convivial atmosphere set the scene for this neighborhood-favorite brewpub, freshly renovated and expanded in 2023. Small bites such as flatbreads can be ordered to accompany your IPAs and ales.

"Foufs," as it's affectionately known, has been going strong since 1983. Attracting a cult following of alternative rock and heavy metal fans, it gets packed on weekends. You can enjoy a cheap beer on one of two summer terraces under the playful eyes of skulls and spiders.

The food is good but the music is outstanding. For more than 30 years, this institution has been plying the city with the best in jazz, with a little blues and soul thrown in for good measure. A flashy, over-the-top interior that includes mirrored walls adds to the experience. Dress up and be prepared to pay a cover.

For 30 years this pub has been serving up a bounty of whiskeys and brews (19 different beers on tap), with a healthy dose of Irish atmosphere on the side. Despite its cavernous size, the arrangement of seating areas, flanked by bars, makes it feel cozy, and there's a stage for live entertainment. It still fills up quickly, so unless you don't mind standing while you sip your Guinness, come early to snag a seat.

Lively but not obnoxious, this easygoing wine bar is a great place to meet up with friends. Arrive early (it opens at 4 pm but the kitchen only gets going at 5), because it's always busy and it doesn't take reservations. Many wines can be sipped by the glass, in 2- and 4-ounce pours, while you graze on appetizers and cheese/charcuterie boards. Dress is casual, though the after-work crowd ups the glam factor.

"Hint: Find the secret brick to open the door that will take you to le 4e Mur." That's part of the message patrons receive when they become a "member" of the speakeasy in order to get directions to Le 4e Mur (the Fourth Wall). Named one of Montréal's best hidden bars by Time Out, this dimly lit Prohibition-style bar mixes some of the city's best cocktails while encouraging customers to play detective to solve a murder mystery game with fun clues.

Opened in 2019, this is Montréal’s first meat-free pub. In addition to plant-based comfort foods, Le Bowhead sources beers, wines, and spirits that are 100% vegan, meaning that no animal-based fining agents have been used in the filtration process. The decor is fuss-free, with white walls and marine blue faux wood-paneling, utilitarian tables, and diner-style chairs. The only ornamentation is a series of small, old-fashioned copper diving helmets on one wall—a sort of nautical theme, sans fish. The menu features old-school pub fare like sliders, popcorn "chicken," Frito pie, and even ANML fries and po' boy sandwiches. Neither the meatless dishes nor menu descriptions give away that it's a vegan pub; the only telltale sign of this fact is the small print in the bottom righthand corner of the menu stating that all ingredients are "100% plant-based." 

Unchanged for four decades and showing its age, this hole-in-the-wall-with-atmosphere was Montréal's first artisanal brewpub. It's a lively spot, where music blends with the buzz of arty and political dialogue. There is outdoor seating, and it often hosts art exhibits.

In between the Quartier des Spectacles (the local performing arts district) and the Quartier Latin, this European pub is popular in part because of its friendly service and good selection of domestic and imported beers, as well as whiskey and cognac. With one of the city's prettiest backyard terraces, this is a great place to enjoy the fall colors.

Once a men-only establishment, Le Stud has been known to let in some women. A small dance floor and trance music have brought in a whole different crowd. It's packed most nights.