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
  • Leaderboard
  • Editor's Picks
  • New Places

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
    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
    • Leaderboard
    • Editor's Picks
    • New Places

    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|Saturday, April 25, 2026|
      Subscribe today to get 3 free articles per month.Get 50% off your first 5 rides with Lyft
      InstagramTwitterTiktokLinkedin
      |
      Advertise
      The Main Logo
      Magazine
      Sections
      • Arts & Culture
      • Beyond Montreal
      • Design
      • Food & Drink
      • History Lessons
      • The Bulletin
      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
      ShopWeather
      Subscribe
      Subscribe
      --°C|Saturday, April 25, 2026|
      Subscribe today to get 3 free articles per month.Get 50% off your first 5 rides with Lyft
      InstagramTwitterTiktokLinkedin
      |
      Advertise
      The Main Logo
      Magazine
      Sections
      • Arts & Culture
      • Beyond Montreal
      • Design
      • Food & Drink
      • History Lessons
      • The Bulletin
      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
      ShopWeather
      Subscribe
      Subscribe
      Food & Drink

      Willie's Clubhouse Brings an Elevated Billiards, Darts, and Cocktail Lounge to Downtown Montreal

      This swish take on the 'bar ludique' creates a new recreational hub inside the Montreal Forum.

      ByJ.P. Karwacki

      April 15, 2025 · 5 min read

      Willie's Clubhouse brings an elevated billiards, darts, and cocktail lounge to downtown Montreal
      Photography by Aidan Matthews / @aidanc.m

      Discover the places mentioned in this story

      Willie's ClubhouseMontreal Forum

      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.

      Stepping down into the pool hall.
      The smoky backroom with dartboards.

      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.

      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!

      Follow on Google
      Food & Drink

      Willie's Clubhouse Brings an Elevated Billiards, Darts, and Cocktail Lounge to Downtown Montreal

      This swish take on the 'bar ludique' creates a new recreational hub inside the Montreal Forum.

      ByJ.P. Karwacki

      April 15, 2025 · 5 min read

      Willie's Clubhouse brings an elevated billiards, darts, and cocktail lounge to downtown Montreal
      Photography by Aidan Matthews / @aidanc.m

      Discover the places mentioned in this story

      Willie's ClubhouseMontreal Forum

      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.

      Stepping down into the pool hall.
      The smoky backroom with dartboards.

      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.

      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!

      Follow on Google

      More Food & Drink

      The Mile End Is Back, But Who Is It For Now?
      Food + drink
      J.P. Karwacki

      The Mile End Is Back, But Who Is It For Now?

      As a new wave of restaurants has revived the neighbourhood’s energy, questions remain about who gets to shape (and belong to) the scene now taking hold.

      North America's Only Malagasy Restaurant Is a 20-Seat Room in the Plateau
      Food + drink
      J.P. Karwacki

      North America's Only Malagasy Restaurant Is a 20-Seat Room in the Plateau

      At 325 F, Bryan Rajarison cooks from memory, family, and a cuisine that rarely travels this far.

      Montreal Lands Four Spots on North America’s Best Coffee Shop List
      Food + drink
      AnnaClare Sung

      Montreal Lands Four Spots on North America’s Best Coffee Shop List

      A global ranking places Café Pista, Café Saint-Henri, Micro Espresso, and Café Eclair among the continent’s top 100, judged on quality, experience, and community impact.

      This Tableware Shop Defines Restaurants' Identities
      Food + drink
      Tommy Dion

      This Tableware Shop Defines Restaurants' Identities

      How 3 Femmes et 1 Coussin's Plateau tableware studio became a secret weapon of Montreal's restaurant industry.

      A Field Guide to Not Being a Total Asshole to Your Bartender
      Food & Drink
      Max Honigmann

      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.

      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.

      Latest from The Main

      History LessonThe Day a Downtown Campus Burned and What Came AfterArts & CultureYour Guide to Japan Week 2026: Ten Days of Food, Culture, and Craft in MontrealFood + drinkThe Mile End Is Back, But Who Is It For Now?NewsletterThe Bulletin: A Japanese Konbini's Birthday, Subterranean Art, and Ping Pong Ramen [Issue #178]Arts & CultureHow the Next Generation of Dep Owners Is Keeping Them Alive
      @canada.gov.ca’s accidental archivist John Batt is reshaping Canadian culture

      Previous

      @canada.gov.ca’s Accidental Archivist John Batt is Reshaping Canadian Culture

      Next

      GOODEE's Flagship Westmount Space Combines Curated Global Design with Montreal Roots

      GOODEE's flagship Westmount space combines curated global design with Montreal roots

      More Food & Drink

      The Mile End Is Back, But Who Is It For Now?
      Food + drink
      J.P. Karwacki

      The Mile End Is Back, But Who Is It For Now?

      As a new wave of restaurants has revived the neighbourhood’s energy, questions remain about who gets to shape (and belong to) the scene now taking hold.

      North America's Only Malagasy Restaurant Is a 20-Seat Room in the Plateau
      Food + drink
      J.P. Karwacki

      North America's Only Malagasy Restaurant Is a 20-Seat Room in the Plateau

      At 325 F, Bryan Rajarison cooks from memory, family, and a cuisine that rarely travels this far.

      Montreal Lands Four Spots on North America’s Best Coffee Shop List
      Food + drink
      AnnaClare Sung

      Montreal Lands Four Spots on North America’s Best Coffee Shop List

      A global ranking places Café Pista, Café Saint-Henri, Micro Espresso, and Café Eclair among the continent’s top 100, judged on quality, experience, and community impact.

      This Tableware Shop Defines Restaurants' Identities
      Food + drink
      Tommy Dion

      This Tableware Shop Defines Restaurants' Identities

      How 3 Femmes et 1 Coussin's Plateau tableware studio became a secret weapon of Montreal's restaurant industry.

      A Field Guide to Not Being a Total Asshole to Your Bartender
      Food & Drink
      Max Honigmann

      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.

      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.

      Latest from The Main

      History LessonThe Day a Downtown Campus Burned and What Came AfterArts & CultureYour Guide to Japan Week 2026: Ten Days of Food, Culture, and Craft in MontrealFood + drinkThe Mile End Is Back, But Who Is It For Now?NewsletterThe Bulletin: A Japanese Konbini's Birthday, Subterranean Art, and Ping Pong Ramen [Issue #178]Arts & CultureHow the Next Generation of Dep Owners Is Keeping Them Alive
      @canada.gov.ca’s accidental archivist John Batt is reshaping Canadian culture

      Previous

      @canada.gov.ca’s Accidental Archivist John Batt is Reshaping Canadian Culture

      Next

      GOODEE's Flagship Westmount Space Combines Curated Global Design with Montreal Roots

      GOODEE's flagship Westmount space combines curated global design with Montreal roots

      Related Classics

      From our archive.

      Marchigiani became a Montreal institution by staying old school
      Food & Drink
      Jason Gisoo Kim

      Marchigiani Became a Montreal Institution by Staying Old School

      Three generations and 65 years later, this family business is having its busiest run yet.

      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.

      Bistrot Boisselet Skipped the Hype and Went Straight to Work
      Food & Drink
      J.P. Karwacki

      Bistrot Boisselet Skipped the Hype and Went Straight to Work

      A quietly confident Little Italy bistrot from Montreal restaurant alum puts chef Darcy Gervais-Wood front and centre.

      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.

      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.

      Related Classics

      From our archive.

      Marchigiani became a Montreal institution by staying old school
      Food & Drink
      Jason Gisoo Kim

      Marchigiani Became a Montreal Institution by Staying Old School

      Three generations and 65 years later, this family business is having its busiest run yet.

      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.

      Bistrot Boisselet Skipped the Hype and Went Straight to Work
      Food & Drink
      J.P. Karwacki

      Bistrot Boisselet Skipped the Hype and Went Straight to Work

      A quietly confident Little Italy bistrot from Montreal restaurant alum puts chef Darcy Gervais-Wood front and centre.

      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.

      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.