Subscribe today to get 3 free articles per month

InstagramTwitterTiktokLinkedin
|
Advertise
The Main Logo
Magazine
Categories
  • Arts & Culture

    Creativity, heritage, and expression.

  • Beyond Montreal

    Travel, adventure, and global perspectives.

  • Design

    The best of Montreal design.

  • Food & Drink

    La bonne bouffe.

  • History

    Stories, lessons, and context.

  • Bulletin

    Our weekly newsletter.

  • See all original stories
Holiday
City Guides
Popular Guides
  • The Best Restaurants in Montreal
  • Best NEW Restaurants
  • Best Cafés
  • Unique Boutiques
  • Romantic Restaurants
  • Best Bookstores
  • See all Guides
Directory
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
Shop
Subscribe
Subscribe

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

Explore

  • About us
  • Shop
  • Advertise
  • Pitch us

Connect

  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Tiktok
  • Linkedin

Resources

  • RSS Feed
  • Subscribe

Legal

  • Terms of service
  • Membership Terms
  • Privacy Policy

The Main Media Inc. 2025

✦ Built By Field Office
    50% off your first 5 rides
    logo

    50% off your first 5 rides

    50% off your first 5 rides

    From standard rides to XL cars for six, Lyft has options to fit your riding needs. Max $10 off/ride. Terms apply.

    Claim your offer
    1. Articles
    2. Food & Drink

    Where and what Montreal's writers and photographers loved to drink in 2023

    A range of institutions in the making, speakeasies, and classic bars—even cafés—numbered among the best places to drink this past year.

    By J.P. KarwackiDecember 31, 2023 - Read time: 4 min
    Where and what Montreal's writers and photographers loved to drink in 2023Photograph: Bon Délire / @_bon_delire_, Instagram

    Bottom's up, Montreal: While the city's bar scene wasn't exactly bursting with as many openings as there were restaurants, there were still quite a few watering holes that made an impression on Montreal-based writers, bloggers, and photographers.


    Bar Bello (left) and Bar George (right) made big impressions this year. | Photograph: @barbellomtl & @bargeorgemtl / Instagram

    Where did you love to drink in 2023?

    Alison Slattery, photographer, @twofoodphotographers: I am not a big big drinker, but I did enjoy some stout at Bily Kun, delicious wines at Tinc Set, Salle Climatisée, and Bar Henrietta.

    Michael Grande and Alessandro Rea, food bloggers, @mangiabeneboys: Bar George has been one of our go-tos for drinks; the vibe and the cocktails are always great. Another mention is definitely Bar Bello; we love the atmosphere and their take on the Italian aperitivo bar.

    Must be logged in

    Join The Main free and keep reading.

    Create a free account.

    Create a free account to unlock this story and get 3 articles a month, plus our weekly Bulletin.

    • 3 free articles per month
    • Save your favourite places & guides
    • Weekly newsletter The Bulletin
    • Stay connected to Montreal culture

    Become an Insider.

    Unlock unlimited access, exclusive guides, and member perks — and help support the independent Montreal stories we publish every week.

    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

    Latest Stories

    Arts & Culture

    The best things to do in Montreal this weekend (Dec 25 to 28, 2025)

    DEC 24
    The best things to do in Montreal this weekend (Dec 25 to 28, 2025)
    Food & Drink

    Hana is Korean fine dining for the steakhouse crowd

    DEC 19
    Hana is Korean fine dining for the steakhouse crowd
    Bulletin

    20 years of hits with the Jonas Brothers in Montreal last night

    DEC 18
    20 years of hits with the Jonas Brothers in Montreal last night
    Bulletin

    Air Canada launches Montreal-Santiago flights and a direct line home for Chilean Montrealers

    DEC 18
    Air Canada launches Montreal-Santiago flights and a direct line home for Chilean Montrealers
    Newsletter

    The Bulletin: Sunday roasts, wrestling chaos, and lip-syncing to Christmas movies [Issue #160]

    DEC 18
    The Bulletin: Sunday roasts, wrestling chaos, and lip-syncing to Christmas movies [Issue #160]

    Next

    Looking back on 2023 and forward to 2024 in Montreal's dining scene

    Looking back on 2023 and forward to 2024 in Montreal's dining scene
    logo

    Shop The Main's Dépanneur. Open 24/7.

    Mr. Sign x The Main "Dep" Bundle

    Mr. Sign x The Main "Dep" Bundle

    $50.00

    Mr. Sign x The Main “Dep” Tee

    Mr. Sign x The Main “Dep” Tee

    $30.00

    Mr. Sign x The Main “Dep” Tote

    Mr. Sign x The Main “Dep” Tote

    $30.00

    Support local

    Shop All Merch