3 Best Bars in Side Trips from Montreal, Quebec

Come by boat and you can moor right alongside this patio bar that overlooks the Magog River. Sometimes there's live entertainment, but when musicians aren't around, the flocks of ducks lining up alongside the café to beg crumbs from patrons' plates keep patrons entertained.

In a century-old building, this pub, outfitted in shades of charcoal and ebony, serves Tex-Mex food, pasta, fish-and-chips, and local beers. Its patio bar, at Magog's main intersection, may not be peaceful, but it's a great spot to watch the world go by. Chansonniers (singers) belt out popular hits for a full house on Friday and Saturday evening starting at 6.

Named after the monster said to lurk in Lake Memphrémagog, La Memphré dates back to the 1800s, when it belonged to Magog's first mayor, Alvin H. Moore. Now a British-style gastropub, it offers up three styles of cheese fondue alongside Bavarian onion soup, burgers, and all manner of modern pub fare in a non-pub setting. All selections are best accompanied by a cold one of whatever other tempting refreshments are on offer. Making your selection is that much more fun as the beautifully presented menu provides not only mouthwatering descriptions of the food and beverages but also historical information and more.