Willie's Clubhouse brings an elevated billiards, darts, and cocktail lounge to downtown Montreal

The recreational landscape continues to evolve beyond the traditional bar scene, and activity-based venues are gaining momentum thanks to home teams focused on offering up alternatives.

First there was the revived relic of Montreal Bowling, then the indoor driving ranges of the alt-country club Muni, and now? The latest entrant, Willie's Clubhouse, transforms a mothballed, 3,230-square-foot space in the Montreal Forum into a refined space that combines classic billiards, darts, and cocktail culture.

In development since last summer, what started as aspirations for "just another pub" evolved into something more ambitious: a trendy English-style pool hall connected to a sophisticated dart room with distinct personalities.