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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 9, 2026|
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      --°C|Thursday, April 9, 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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      • Romantic Restaurants
      • Best Bookstores
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      • Beyond Montreal

        Travel, adventure, and global perspectives.

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      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.

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      or

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      The Main

      Advertisement

      Follow on Google
      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.

      The Drink Is the Last Thing a Great Bar Thinks About
      Food & Drink
      Elle Magni

      The Drink Is the Last Thing a Great Bar Thinks About

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

      The Fancy Cocktail Bar Isn't Dead, But Andrew Whibley Wouldn't Open One Today
      Food & Drink
      J.P. Karwacki

      The Fancy Cocktail Bar Isn't Dead, But Andrew Whibley Wouldn't Open One Today

      The Cloakroom founder on value over flash, the scene's missing middle, and what Montreal's bar culture still needs to figure out.

      A Day in the Life of a Montreal Wine Importer
      Food & Drink
      Rachel Cheng

      A Day in the Life of a Montreal Wine Importer

      Keaton Ritchie of Flor Vin was on the banks of the Loire last week. Today he's hauling bottles through the slush.

      Chouchou Is the Modern Chinese Bistro Our City's Been Missing
      Food & Drink
      J.P. Karwacki

      Chouchou Is the Modern Chinese Bistro Our City's Been Missing

      Chef Chouchou Jia spent years cooking in French and Italian kitchens before opening their first restaurant, and the result is unlike anything else in town.

      Arthurs Nosh Bar Is Coming to NDG, and This Time, They're Bringing Dinner
      Food & Drink
      J.P. Karwacki

      Arthurs Nosh Bar Is Coming to NDG, and This Time, They're Bringing Dinner

      Alex Cohen and Raegan Steinberg are combining dinners with breakfast classics to the 48-seat Arthus Dinette in Monkland Village.

      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

      Advertisement

      Follow on Google
      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.

      The Drink Is the Last Thing a Great Bar Thinks About
      Food & Drink
      Elle Magni

      The Drink Is the Last Thing a Great Bar Thinks About

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

      The Fancy Cocktail Bar Isn't Dead, But Andrew Whibley Wouldn't Open One Today
      Food & Drink
      J.P. Karwacki

      The Fancy Cocktail Bar Isn't Dead, But Andrew Whibley Wouldn't Open One Today

      The Cloakroom founder on value over flash, the scene's missing middle, and what Montreal's bar culture still needs to figure out.

      A Day in the Life of a Montreal Wine Importer
      Food & Drink
      Rachel Cheng

      A Day in the Life of a Montreal Wine Importer

      Keaton Ritchie of Flor Vin was on the banks of the Loire last week. Today he's hauling bottles through the slush.

      Chouchou Is the Modern Chinese Bistro Our City's Been Missing
      Food & Drink
      J.P. Karwacki

      Chouchou Is the Modern Chinese Bistro Our City's Been Missing

      Chef Chouchou Jia spent years cooking in French and Italian kitchens before opening their first restaurant, and the result is unlike anything else in town.

      Arthurs Nosh Bar Is Coming to NDG, and This Time, They're Bringing Dinner
      Food & Drink
      J.P. Karwacki

      Arthurs Nosh Bar Is Coming to NDG, and This Time, They're Bringing Dinner

      Alex Cohen and Raegan Steinberg are combining dinners with breakfast classics to the 48-seat Arthus Dinette in Monkland Village.

      More Food & Drink

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      From our archive.

      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.

      Chinatown is now home to a classic casse-croûte
      Food & Drink
      J.P. Karwacki

      Chinatown is Now Home to a Classic Casse-croûte

      The chefs behind Dobe & Andy and Buboy decided all the neighbourhood needs is a solid source of steamies and poutine.

      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.

      At long last, David McMillan and Derek Dammann open their West Island restaurant Grille-Nature
      Food & Drink
      J.P. Karwacki

      At Long Last, David McMillan and Derek Dammann Open Their West Island Restaurant Grille-Nature

      The former Joe Beef co-owner and ex-Maison Publique chef debut their farm-and-chef-driven restaurant out in Dollard-Des Ormeaux.

      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.

      Numéro's brutalist bar wants to serve your next post-shift martini
      Food & Drink
      J.P. Karwacki

      Numéro's Brutalist Bar Wants to Serve Your Next Post-shift Martini

      Walk-ins and reservations share a warm welcome in this highly customized space, and it's got the menu to match.

      Latest from The Main

      DesignEstudio Niksen Defines Itself—and Finds Success—in the Art of Doing NothingDesignWho Will the Entrepôt Van Horne Belong To?NewsletterThe Bulletin: Limited Edition Donuts, the Laotian & Cambodian New Year, and Axe Throwing With Syrup [Issue #176]Arts & CultureAfter 40 Years on Bernard, Dragon Flowers Has a New AddressArts & CultureCrime 101 Goes Back to Basics and Executes Them Beautifully
      @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

      Related Classics

      From our archive.

      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.

      Chinatown is now home to a classic casse-croûte
      Food & Drink
      J.P. Karwacki

      Chinatown is Now Home to a Classic Casse-croûte

      The chefs behind Dobe & Andy and Buboy decided all the neighbourhood needs is a solid source of steamies and poutine.

      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.

      At long last, David McMillan and Derek Dammann open their West Island restaurant Grille-Nature
      Food & Drink
      J.P. Karwacki

      At Long Last, David McMillan and Derek Dammann Open Their West Island Restaurant Grille-Nature

      The former Joe Beef co-owner and ex-Maison Publique chef debut their farm-and-chef-driven restaurant out in Dollard-Des Ormeaux.

      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.

      Numéro's brutalist bar wants to serve your next post-shift martini
      Food & Drink
      J.P. Karwacki

      Numéro's Brutalist Bar Wants to Serve Your Next Post-shift Martini

      Walk-ins and reservations share a warm welcome in this highly customized space, and it's got the menu to match.

      Latest from The Main

      DesignEstudio Niksen Defines Itself—and Finds Success—in the Art of Doing NothingDesignWho Will the Entrepôt Van Horne Belong To?NewsletterThe Bulletin: Limited Edition Donuts, the Laotian & Cambodian New Year, and Axe Throwing With Syrup [Issue #176]Arts & CultureAfter 40 Years on Bernard, Dragon Flowers Has a New AddressArts & CultureCrime 101 Goes Back to Basics and Executes Them Beautifully
      @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