Bar entertainment in Montréal
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Le St-Sulpice
This student evergreen is spread over four levels in an old Victorian stone house – a café, several terraces, disco and a sprawling back garden for drinks ‘n’ chats. The music changes with the DJ’s mood, from hip-hop and ambient to mainstream rock and jazz. It use recyclable glasses and also sells alcohol-free beer.
reviewed
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B
Else’s
A warm and welcoming neighborhood bar where, as the saying goes, everyone knows your name. Settle into one of the worn chairs for an order of nachos, a tasty microbrew and a big portion of chat in front of the ceiling-high windows. Late-night jazz is a joy on weekends.
reviewed
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C
L’Escogriffe
Though you’re apt to see some dubious characters staggering into this small, dungeon-like bar, the ‘um, what?’ factor is part of L’Esco’s punk-rock charm. Over the years many amazing bands have graced its tiny stage, and the bar continues to book bands some nights. Sundays, resident DJs spin laid-back new wave, indie rock and rockabilly, making this deliciously dark hole-in-the-wall ideal for knocking a few back with friends.
reviewed
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Bily Kun
One of the pioneers of ‘tavern chic, ’ Bily Kun is a favorite local hangout for a chilled DJ-spun evening. First-time visitors usually gawk at the ostrich heads that overlook the bar but soon settle into the music groove of DJs and sometimes bands. Upstairs, O Patro Vys is a performing-arts hall that features anything from electronic installations to Patagonian song and Haïku art.
reviewed
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Gogo Lounge
The retro-kitsch decor here looks like it was copied from an Austin Powers movie: ‘60s psychedelics, flower-power motifs, glistening vinyl and teardrop chairs. Friendly, flirty staff shake martinis and dance on the bar, while regulars jump the long lineups for a guaranteed party any night of the week. Though the loud music tends to get a bit Top 40, the festive formula works.
reviewed
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F
Snack’n Blues
Does the name of this dive bar indicate a combination ridiculous or genius? Probably both. The ‘snack’ consists of an assortment of salty treats poured from a bag – pretzels, beer nuts, cheese crackers – all conspiring to satisfy your sodium-laced fantasies. The ‘blues’ is pretty good too, though played on a CD – and loudly.
reviewed
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Bifteck
Pool, popcorn and indie rockers hold court alongside students and random weirdos at this legendary dive bar that’s as much part of the Main’s culture as smoked meat and bagels. Drinks are cheap, the faux country-and-western decor hasn’t budged for decades and the rough-around-the-edges staff keep it real. A great place to kick off a night out.
reviewed
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Blizzarts
Blizz is one of the Plateau’s coolest little spots. Part bar, part pub and part club (at least, when the small dance floor fills up – which is fairly often), local DJs spin house, techno, electro, breaks, jazz, funk, hip-hop, roots and dub to a small crowd both trendy and friendly. The artwork on the walls, exhibited by local artists, changes every month or so.
reviewed
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Bar Korova
Boozy, smiley fun with the city’s arty Anglo musicians and the girls (and boys) who love them. With DJ nights spanning soul, funk and rock, impromptu hipster dance parties go down at this no-frills watering hole almost every night. What else do you expect from a bar whose clientele refers to itself as Korova Kids, though most are on the upside of 30?
reviewed
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Bar Plan B
Warm decor, elegant snacks and a liquor menu showcasing absinthe make this high-end bar a perfect date and pickup spot. It’s also perfect for drinking with friends, and usually not too loud to talk. A sophisticated French-speaking crowd flocks here after work and on weekends. As its name decrees, when there’s nowhere else to go, try Plan B.
reviewed
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Aria
This old Latin Quarter movie theater is now a refuge for sleepless party-goers, boasting three very individual floors and some of the ablest DJs in the industry including Christian Pronovost, Fred Everything and Yaz. The crowd is mixed straight, gay, and fashion victim, and exhibitions are held in the same very chilled space.
reviewed
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Thursday’s
This lively singles bar attracts hordes of fun-loving tourists and Montrealers looking for an easy place to paint the town red. Smoked bagels with cream cheese are the specialty on a menu that spans gourmet bites. The mammoth bars and two-level dance floor appeal to the after-work crowd. Not the coolest but does the job.
reviewed
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Les Bobards
This good-natured bar in the Portuguese area of the Plateau draws a hyper-fun 20s crowd for its sizzling Latin American beats with French lyrics. It’s pretty dead until around 10pm when it becomes standing-room only. There are free peanuts and modern-art exhibits. Expect a cover charge when bands are brought in.
reviewed
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Salon Officiel
This small neighborhood bar-meets-club hosts DJ nights with the city’s best up-and-comers. Depending on the night, you can get rock, electro, punk or dancey stuff. Local club kids are well acquainted with this location in its former incarnation as Roy Bar, a skateboarder scene until 2007. Drinks are still cheap.
reviewed
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La Petite Idée Fixe
Tucked inconspicuously among cheap apartments, swanky cafés and discount stores is your new favorite dive bar. It’s got no frills but all the essentials: affordable drinks, genial staff, dim lights, barstools, a pool table and, best of all, a jukebox (a rarity in Montréal).
reviewed
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Bar Salon la Porte Rouge
This historical old saloon has been fancied up into a trendy hangout. Old-fashioned decor pays tribute to the space’s illustrious past, as do drink names like Scarlett O’Hara and Pink Lady. Sunday nights, electro DJs draw a trashy-glam fashion crowd, both gay and straight.
reviewed
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Q
Mad Hatter Saloon
With happy-hour specials and a kooky, anything-goes feel, this longtime Rue Crescent tavern is so uncool it’s cool. Concordia and McGill University students have been flocking here for years, and during summertime its 2nd-floor terrace is a lo-pro, affordable spot to unwind.
reviewed
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Barouf
This French watering hole is the perfect spot to stop for a drink or three while cruising the Plateau. Brews can be ordered in giant plastic towers with a tap at the bottom. More conventional vessels are available for the 25 draft beers, including extra-potent brands from Belgium.
reviewed
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Bluedog Motel
Next door to Blizzarts is Bluedog, painted –you guessed it – blue. With a younger but equally inebriated crowd of arty urban revelers, music varies from hip-hop to trendy post-electro and dancey beats. Sunday nights, there’s a free keg on the dance floor!
reviewed
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Edgar Hypertaverne
Once a trashy dive, Edgar’s appeals to the well-educated, cognac-sipping crowd of the Plateau. When they’re not air-kissing groupies, the DJs serve up a discriminating mix of acid jazz and New Age music. The wine list is copious.
reviewed
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Tour de Ville Bar
This padded upscale bar at the top of the Delta Hotel tower affords a splendid view of downtown Montréal. Cocktails are particularly costly but nursing one is fun, as is sizing up the office crowd from the nearby financial district.
reviewed
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Quai des Brumes
A Parisian-style café with ornate framed mirrors, curlicue moldings and paneling that’s been toasted brown by a million cigarettes. This fine venue for live jazz, rock and blues also has DJ-spun techno in the upstairs disco.
reviewed
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Barfly
Cheap, gritty, loud, fun and a little bit out of control – just the way we like our dive bars. Live punk bands and bedraggled hipsters hold court alongside aging rockers at this St-Laurent hole-in-the-wall. A Montréal must.
reviewed
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Le Magellan Bar
Once past the mock lighthouse out front you can enjoy a pleasant evening of eclectic offerings, from jazz to chansons. The interior is sprinkled with maritime doodads and the front terrace is great for people-watching. Good food, too.
reviewed
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Y
Saloon
This recently revamped gay bar-bistro earned a spot in Village hearts for its chilled atmosphere, cocktails and ‘five-continents’ menu, including some good vegetarian options. A stylish pre-club pit stop.
reviewed
