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The Main Media Inc. 2026

✦ Built By Field Office
    The Main

    Montreal's Cultural Directory

    Help us improve! Share your thoughts on how we can make your experience better.

    Leave feedback

    For partnerships and collaborations:

    partnerships@themain.com

    Content

    • Articles
    • Food & Drink
    • Arts & Culture
    • History Lesson
    • Bulletin
    • Events

    Guides

    • All Guides
    • Best Restaurants
    • Best Cafés
    • Best Bars
    • Best Brunch
    • Best Bakeries

    Explore Montreal

    • Browse Directory
    • Restaurants
    • Bars
    • Cafés
    • Bookstores

    About

    • About us
    • Subscribe
    • Shop
    • Advertise
    • Pitch us
    • RSS Feed

    Legal

    • Terms of service
    • Membership Terms
    • Privacy Policy
    Follow us
    InstagramTwitterTiktokLinkedin

    The Main Media Inc. 2026

    ✦ Built By Field Office
      --°C|Thursday, April 16, 2026|
      Subscribe today to get 3 free articles per month.ROYALMOUNT Wants to Be Your Dining Destination for a Whole MonthGet 50% off your first 5 rides with Lyft
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      --°C|Thursday, April 16, 2026|
      Subscribe today to get 3 free articles per month.ROYALMOUNT Wants to Be Your Dining Destination for a Whole MonthGet 50% off your first 5 rides with Lyft
      InstagramTwitterTiktokLinkedin
      |
      Advertise
      The Main Logo
      Arts & CultureFood & DrinkHistoryCity Guides
      Explore
      Popular Guides
      • The Best Restaurants in Montreal
      • Best new Restaurants
      • Best Cafés
      • Unique Boutiques
      • Romantic Restaurants
      • Best Bookstores
      • See all Guides
      Neighbourhood
      • Downtown
      • Le Plateau-Mont-Royal
      • Mile End
      • Mile-Ex
      • Saint-Henri
      • See All
      Business Type
      • Restaurant
      • Café
      • Boutique / Store
      • Bar
      • Bakery
      • See All
      Near the Metro
      • Peel
      • Mont-Royal
      • Place-Saint-Henri
      • Place-d'Armes
      • Jarry
      • View all
      More
      Categories
      • Beyond Montreal

        Travel, adventure, and global perspectives.

      • Design

        The best of Montreal design.

      • History

        Stories, lessons, and context.

      • Newsletter

        Our weekly newsletter.

      • Weather
      • See all original stories
      Shop
      Subscribe
      Subscribe
      Buying a Bakery Is Very On-Brand for Laurent Duvernay-Tardif
      Food & Drink
      J.P. Karwacki

      Buying a Bakery Is Very On-Brand for Laurent Duvernay-Tardif

      Turns out the former Kansas City Chief already had a thing for good bread.

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      Quebec's Wine Scene Is the Best It's Ever Been

      As climate change reshapes traditional wine regions, Quebec's winemakers, sommeliers, and natural wine bars are ready for their moment.

      Bona Fide, One of Villeray's Best New Restaurants, Is Closing
      Food & Drink
      J.P. Karwacki

      Bona Fide, One of Villeray's Best New Restaurants, Is Closing

      The Roman-style pasta and natural wine spot on Saint-Laurent lasted just under two years, but long enough to make a real impression.

      The New Chinatown Doesn't Call Itself That
      Food & Drink
      Ivy Lerner-Frank

      The New Chinatown Doesn't Call Itself That

      What's taken shape on Montreal's Sainte-Catherine West is something entirely distinct from the old Chinatown.

      A New Pub Aims to Bring Finesse to the Plateau's Bar Scene
      Food & Drink
      J.P. Karwacki

      A New Pub Aims to Bring Finesse to the Plateau's Bar Scene

      Elevated pub classics, a daily 5 à 7, and a kitchen open until 1 a.m. have all arrived at the corner of Prince-Arthur and Saint-Laurent.

      Montreal's Best Bars Think About Design First
      Food & Drink
      Elle Magni

      Montreal's Best Bars Think About Design First

      Inside the obsession with light, sound, and atmosphere that separates Montreal's best bars from the rest.

      Buying a Bakery Is Very On-Brand for Laurent Duvernay-Tardif
      Food & Drink
      J.P. Karwacki

      Buying a Bakery Is Very On-Brand for Laurent Duvernay-Tardif

      Turns out the former Kansas City Chief already had a thing for good bread.

      Quebec's Wine Scene Is the Best It's Ever Been
      Food & Drink
      Joe Kanzangu

      Quebec's Wine Scene Is the Best It's Ever Been

      As climate change reshapes traditional wine regions, Quebec's winemakers, sommeliers, and natural wine bars are ready for their moment.

      Bona Fide, One of Villeray's Best New Restaurants, Is Closing
      Food & Drink
      J.P. Karwacki

      Bona Fide, One of Villeray's Best New Restaurants, Is Closing

      The Roman-style pasta and natural wine spot on Saint-Laurent lasted just under two years, but long enough to make a real impression.

      The New Chinatown Doesn't Call Itself That
      Food & Drink
      Ivy Lerner-Frank

      The New Chinatown Doesn't Call Itself That

      What's taken shape on Montreal's Sainte-Catherine West is something entirely distinct from the old Chinatown.

      A New Pub Aims to Bring Finesse to the Plateau's Bar Scene
      Food & Drink
      J.P. Karwacki

      A New Pub Aims to Bring Finesse to the Plateau's Bar Scene

      Elevated pub classics, a daily 5 à 7, and a kitchen open until 1 a.m. have all arrived at the corner of Prince-Arthur and Saint-Laurent.

      Montreal's Best Bars Think About Design First
      Food & Drink
      Elle Magni

      Montreal's Best Bars Think About Design First

      Inside the obsession with light, sound, and atmosphere that separates Montreal's best bars from the rest.

      More Food & Drink

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      Where Montreal's food writers and photographers loved to drink in 2025 (and what they ordered)
      Food & Drink
      J.P. Karwacki

      Where Montreal's Food Writers and Photographers Loved to Drink in 2025 (and What They Ordered)

      From cocktails 45 floors above the city streets to neighbourhood wine bars and timeless martinis, here's where the city's insiders raised a glass in 2025.

      Good luck getting a table at Mile End's latest morning-to-midnight spot
      Food & Drink
      J.P. Karwacki

      Good Luck Getting a Table at Mile End's Latest Morning-to-midnight Spot

      The neighbourhood's smitten with Au Coin's all-day coffee, natural wine, and sourdough pizza.

      What defined Montreal's dining scene in 2025, and what's coming in 2026
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      J.P. Karwacki

      What Defined Montreal's Dining Scene in 2025, and What's Coming in 2026

      From 2025's defining themes to predictions for 2026, here's what Montreal's food insiders are saying about the city's evolving dining culture (and its next Michelin hopefuls).

      Hana is Korean fine dining for the steakhouse crowd
      Food & Drink
      J.P. Karwacki

      Hana is Korean Fine Dining for the Steakhouse Crowd

      Hanhak Kim and David McMillan's new project brings dry-aged prime cuts, tableside grills, and a nine-course steakhouse omakase to town.

      My restaurant got busy before it was ready. Now I can finally take a step back.
      Food & Drink
      Scott Usheroff

      My Restaurant Got Busy Before it Was Ready. Now I Can Finally Take a Step Back.

      It's the unspoken problem of early popularity in restaurants: Nineteen months in, La Spada's owner reflects on the chaos, clarity, and learning to step away.

      Peel Pub Is Coming Back
      Food & Drink
      The Main

      Peel Pub Is Coming Back

      Eight months after closing, the downtown institution has new owners, a renovation, and a reopening before St. Patrick's Day.

      Food & Drink

      A Field Guide to Not Being a Total Asshole to Your Bartender

      We asked three Montreal bartenders to tell us what they wish their clients knew.

      ByThe Main

      April 16, 2026 · 8 min read

      A Field Guide to Not Being a Total Asshole to Your Bartender
      Bartenders seen it all. Here's what they want from you (aside from paying for your drinks and tipping). | Photograph: Maya Naidu / @mayanaidu

      Discover the places mentioned in this story

      Society for Arts and Technology [SAT]EscBar Rouge (Bar le Bievre)DatchaMikado

      Related Classics

      From our archive.

      Where Montreal's food writers and photographers loved to drink in 2025 (and what they ordered)
      Food & Drink
      J.P. Karwacki

      Where Montreal's Food Writers and Photographers Loved to Drink in 2025 (and What They Ordered)

      From cocktails 45 floors above the city streets to neighbourhood wine bars and timeless martinis, here's where the city's insiders raised a glass in 2025.

      Good luck getting a table at Mile End's latest morning-to-midnight spot
      Food & Drink
      J.P. Karwacki

      Good Luck Getting a Table at Mile End's Latest Morning-to-midnight Spot

      The neighbourhood's smitten with Au Coin's all-day coffee, natural wine, and sourdough pizza.

      What defined Montreal's dining scene in 2025, and what's coming in 2026
      Food & Drink
      J.P. Karwacki

      What Defined Montreal's Dining Scene in 2025, and What's Coming in 2026

      From 2025's defining themes to predictions for 2026, here's what Montreal's food insiders are saying about the city's evolving dining culture (and its next Michelin hopefuls).

      Hana is Korean fine dining for the steakhouse crowd
      Food & Drink
      J.P. Karwacki

      Hana is Korean Fine Dining for the Steakhouse Crowd

      Hanhak Kim and David McMillan's new project brings dry-aged prime cuts, tableside grills, and a nine-course steakhouse omakase to town.

      My restaurant got busy before it was ready. Now I can finally take a step back.
      Food & Drink
      Scott Usheroff

      My Restaurant Got Busy Before it Was Ready. Now I Can Finally Take a Step Back.

      It's the unspoken problem of early popularity in restaurants: Nineteen months in, La Spada's owner reflects on the chaos, clarity, and learning to step away.

      Peel Pub Is Coming Back
      Food & Drink
      The Main

      Peel Pub Is Coming Back

      Eight months after closing, the downtown institution has new owners, a renovation, and a reopening before St. Patrick's Day.

      Food & Drink

      A Field Guide to Not Being a Total Asshole to Your Bartender

      We asked three Montreal bartenders to tell us what they wish their clients knew.

      ByThe Main

      April 16, 2026 · 8 min read

      A Field Guide to Not Being a Total Asshole to Your Bartender
      Bartenders seen it all. Here's what they want from you (aside from paying for your drinks and tipping). | Photograph: Maya Naidu / @mayanaidu

      Discover the places mentioned in this story

      Society for Arts and Technology [SAT]EscBar Rouge (Bar le Bievre)DatchaMikado
      I’ll be leaving in the summer, and I won’t come back till fall, / Goodbye Broadway, hello Montreal. / With a stein upon the table, I’ll be laughing at you all, / Goodbye Broadway, hello Montreal.

      — Irving Berlin, excerpt from "Hello Montréal!" (1928)

      Such was the allure of Montreal’s bars during the United States’ dry Prohibition years that it inspired musical tributes like this one. Our city’s public houses have long attracted thirsty revelers from afar while starring in some of our greatest historical moments, from the "Harlem of the North" jazz golden age to the lively tavern gatherings that helped propel the Quiet Revolution.

      Still today, Montreal remains well-known for its nocturnal culture, with an estimated 22% of tourists visiting specifically for nightlife. While nights here are known to get a bit wild, our bar scene is run by professionals who bring standards and civility to their roles—and expect the same from you. 

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      The Bulletin: Post-Punk in the Dome, Mechanical Animals, and a Bookstore Block Party [Issue #177]

      Previous

      The Bulletin: Post-Punk in the Dome, Mechanical Animals, and a Bookstore Block Party [Issue #177]

      I’ll be leaving in the summer, and I won’t come back till fall, / Goodbye Broadway, hello Montreal. / With a stein upon the table, I’ll be laughing at you all, / Goodbye Broadway, hello Montreal.

      — Irving Berlin, excerpt from "Hello Montréal!" (1928)

      Such was the allure of Montreal’s bars during the United States’ dry Prohibition years that it inspired musical tributes like this one. Our city’s public houses have long attracted thirsty revelers from afar while starring in some of our greatest historical moments, from the "Harlem of the North" jazz golden age to the lively tavern gatherings that helped propel the Quiet Revolution.

      Still today, Montreal remains well-known for its nocturnal culture, with an estimated 22% of tourists visiting specifically for nightlife. While nights here are known to get a bit wild, our bar scene is run by professionals who bring standards and civility to their roles—and expect the same from you. 

      Free account required

      For readers who care about Montreal

      Create a free account to read this story and access 3 articles per month, plus our weekly Bulletin.

      Independent. Local. Reader-supported.

      or

      Already a member? Sign in

      The Main

      Comments

      Welcome to The Main's comments section!

      Share your thoughts and join the conversation. Please be respectful and constructive.

      No comments yet. Be the first!

      Advertisement

      Follow on Google
      The Bulletin: Post-Punk in the Dome, Mechanical Animals, and a Bookstore Block Party [Issue #177]

      Previous

      The Bulletin: Post-Punk in the Dome, Mechanical Animals, and a Bookstore Block Party [Issue #177]

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      Latest from The Main

      NewsletterThe Bulletin: Post-Punk in the Dome, Mechanical Animals, and a Bookstore Block Party [Issue #177]Arts & CultureJerry Seinfeld and Weird Al Yankovic Lead Just for Laughs’ First 2026 RevealFood & DrinkBuying a Bakery Is Very On-Brand for Laurent Duvernay-TardifArts & CultureRemembering Donald K. Donald, a Patriarch of the Canadian Music IndustryFood & DrinkQuebec's Wine Scene Is the Best It's Ever Been