This article is the author's opinion. Think you have something to say about Montreal culture or community? Get in touch. We want to hear your pitch.
I opened The Coldroom in 2016 on a side street in Old Montreal that most people walked past without noticing. That was intentional—I wanted to create something that felt discovered, not advertised. But I didn't anticipate spending the next nine years watching the neighbourhood around me slowly forget what made it special in the first place.
Let me be clear about something upfront: I’m not nostalgic for some imaginary golden age in the past, and this isn’t about shitting on every decision the city's made. Old Montreal, at its best, is a backdrop of cobblestone streets and 18th-century architecture where you can stumble from an award-winning dinner into a bar serving best-in-class cocktails in North America.
Unlock Montreal’s stories. Join The Main community.
Read this story free.
Enter your email to unlock your first article and get The Bulletin — our weekly roundup of food, art, and local culture.
- 5 free articles per month
- Save your favourite places & guides
- Weekly newsletter The Bulletin
- Stay connected to Montreal culture
Become an Insider.
Join a community that supports independent Montreal stories and celebrates the people shaping its culture.
Subscribe- Unlimited access to all stories
- Exclusive features & local insights
- Special offers and event invites
- 10% off in our shop
- Support local storytelling
Already a member? Sign in
