The Coldroom, an intimate speakeasy-style bar in Old Montreal, offers a refined yet clandestine experience. Enter through an unmarked black door at the corner of Saint-Amable and Saint-Vincent streets, ringing the bell for admission. Inside, staff present a seasonal cocktail menu with inventive twists on classics and wholly new creations with emphasis on experience and flavour. The stylish bar features cozy nooks and a minimalist décor with exposed brick and steel beams. Known for attracting celebrities and cocktail enthusiasts alike, The Coldroom ensures an exclusive night out with expertly crafted drinks and top-notch service.

Bisou Bisou is a charming cocktail bar located in the heart of Old Montreal, ideal for an apéritif or a night out. Opened in 2023, this stylish Mediterranean-inspired spot is brought to you by Kevin Demers (Coldroom and El Pequeño), Gregory Buda (Dead Rabbit and Beagle in New York), and Robert Weeks (Hawksmoor in London and Coldroom). The bar features a cozy, intimate setting with grey tones and burnt orange accents, comfortably seating around 60 people. The cocktail menu emphasizes apéritif-style drinks, with a mix of alcoholic, low-alcohol, and non-alcoholic options. Check out the range of fortified wines, Mediterranean-inspired preserves, and a charcuterie and cheese platter to complement your drinks.

Wolf and Workman from the Burgundy Lion Group is a must-visit destination in Old Montreal. Inspired by the rich history of two former Montreal mayors, Wolfred Nelson and William Workman, this English gastropub has an old-world charm with imposing stone walls, red leather seating, and a long wooden bar.

Its cozy yet elegant atmosphere is perfect for a leisurely weekend brunch or a casual pint. The menu is as hearty as it is refined, with pub staples like lamb pie alongside pasta and a knockout burger. Then there’s the impressive brunch offering with a solid menu that includes everything from full English breakfasts to duck Scotch eggs and croque madame.

A decade before the Old Port’s cocktail boom took hold, Philémon Bar staked its claim on rue Saint-Paul Ouest. The year was 2010. The space—a 19th-century warehouse once filled with mining hardware and dry goods—had been stripped back to the bones by Ariel Goldstein and interior architect Zébulon Perron. Their goal wasn’t to chase trends but to build something neighbourly: a bar for the people working, living, and partying in Old Montréal. It worked.

Philémon became one of the first spots in the area to bridge the gap between casual and elevated. It’s still doing that—under moody lighting and against exposed brick—with a smart list of wines curated by Carolyn Aubry (aka Whine Mom), strong cocktails, and a food program handled by its sister restaurant, Bon Service. Think share plates, cheeses, house pasta, and things that disappear fast when the mood’s right. Which, here, it usually is.

Old Montreal’s El Pequeño Bar offers an escape to Old Havana’s glamour. This intimate 150 square-foot bar, transformed from a tiny spot for libations by the Coldroom team, accommodates just 11 guests (plus more via a terrasse in the summer). Step inside to find Cuban-inspired décor, featuring a chandelier, big windows, and exposed brick walls. The expertly curated drink menu includes classics like Mojitos, Daiquiris, and Cuba Libres, alongside the refreshing Runs in the Family cocktail among others. Complementing the drinks is the delicious Cubano sandwich. Despite its size, El Pequeño draws a diverse crowd, making it a must-visit for an intimate yet exclusive experience.

L’infâme Tittle Tattle, a new wave cocktail bar, opened in July in the space formerly occupied by Bon Service in Old Montreal. Conceived by Loïc Fortin, known as Loyd Vonrose, and Ariel Goldstein, this bar blends Fortin’s mixology expertise with Goldstein’s creative flair. The bar's theme revolves around sins and gossip, featuring a unique glass urn where patrons can anonymously share secrets, inspiring weekly cocktail creations. The interior design is perfect for enjoying Fortin’s innovative cocktails. Using techniques like fermentation and clarification, each drink is a vibrant, nostalgic masterpiece.

Negroni Room doesn’t waste time on subtlety. Down a set of stairs from Mignon Steakhouse, it swaps white tablecloths for red lighting, thumping bass, and a cocktail list that doubles as a manifesto. The name’s no gimmick—it's said to be Canada’s largest Negroni selection (unverfied, but we'll believe it!), running from textbook bitter to smoked, spiced, and syruped in ways you didn’t think the classic could bend. DJs hold court nightly, and the bartenders play with flavours the same way they play with tempo—deliberate, but never stiff. The upstairs might be for your in-laws; the basement is where things get interesting. Steak frites at 9, cherry negronis at 11, and dancing by midnight.

Hidden down an alley and behind a locked door, this subterranean speakeasy from the Cloakroom team trades on mystery, but backs it up with substance. Designed by Alain Carle Architecte, the space channels industrial memory—raw stone, steel beams, and concrete massed into something quietly theatrical. The layout is surgical: two opposing bars, modular partitions, and high benches that feel built for slow reveals and whispered plans. Cocktails are the main draw, and the menu is built around seasonal fruit—pineapple, tomato, pear, strawberry—used down to the last rind in a push for sustainability without the usual smugness. There’s wine (mostly natural), a few good beers, and simple snacks like cheese and charcuterie, but the focus here is mood. It’s part apothecary, part lab, part late-night confessional.

Barrelmans steps up—literally—above Pub Saint-Pierre, carving out a quieter, more refined drinking and dining option in Old Montreal. This cocktail and tapas bar trades the usual high-energy atmosphere of the area for something more composed, offering a menu that leans into well-crafted classics and signature drinks. The food keeps pace, balancing light bites with thoughtful execution: Examples include oysters, tartares, a ricotta baba ganoush mezze with roasted chickpeas, and a meticulously layered potato tart.

It’s a space designed for lingering—whether that means working through the cocktail list or settling into an unhurried evening of small plates and conversation. While its address is shared with the pub below, Barrelmans stands on its own, offering a more relaxed alternative to the area’s late-night haunts.

Pub Saint Pierre may be small, but it delivers big on charm, community, and an experience that sets it apart from your run-of-the-mill watering hole. Tucked away on Rue Saint-Pierre—one of the oldest streets in Old Montreal—this spot blends historic roots with a modern, international flair. The staff isn’t just friendly; they bring their own cultural backgrounds to the menu, resulting in a lineup of inventive, globally inspired dishes that go beyond standard pub fare. The philosophy here is simple: it’s not your ordinary pub. Whether you’re in for a pint, a bite, or just good conversation, Pub Saint Pierre offers an atmosphere that feels welcoming, warm, and unmistakably local while embracing influences from around the world.

Some bars wear their exclusivity like a costume. Clandestino doesn’t bother—it just disappears underground. Literally. Hidden below Boho (which is itself hidden behind Venice MTL), this low-lit tequila and mezcal den plays the speakeasy game with more substance than shtick. The bar seats barely 30 and leans into old-world opulence: velvet armchairs, antique accents, and candlelit corners that make you forget what decade you’re in. But the real flex is behind the bar. Over 100 agave spirits—mostly private imports—are poured by the ounce, bottle, or curated tasting trays that sidestep gimmickry in favour of education. The cocktail list leans inventive, driven by fresh citrus, rare liqueurs, and an almost obsessive reverence for salt. Whether you’re after a smoky pour you’ve never heard of or just want to feel like you’ve slipped into another world, Clandestino knows how to keep things quietly extraordinary. No password required—just curiosity.

Hôtel Nelligan in Old Montreal boasts Terrasse Nelligan, a spot with sweeping views of the Saint Lawrence River and the iconic Notre-Dame Basilica. Known for brunches filled with mimosas and upscale dinners, its revamps over the years have made it a place that balances sophistication with a laid-back vibe.

With dishes like tartares, seafood rolls, and burgers, Terrasse Nelligan delivers a menu that’s as fresh as the setting. The drinks may not always be worth writing home about when it comes those looking for prime mixology talents, but it’s so damn hard to match the unbeatable view here. This rooftop really is one of the city’s top spots to unwind.

Flyjin blurs the line between dinner and nightlife, turning a meal into something that lingers long past last call. Hidden beneath Old Montréal, this Japanese-inspired supper club serves up refined izakaya-style dishes and fresh sashimi before dimming the lights and letting the DJs take over.

The space is moody and intimate, wrapped in murals by Stikki Peaches and Kevin Ledo, with a bar that leans deep into Japanese whisky, sake, and intricate cocktails. By 11 p.m., the transformation is complete—the energy shifts, the music takes center stage, and the night unfolds in unpredictable ways.

Perché takes rooftop dining in Old Montréal and gives it a California glow-up. Sitting four floors above Place Jacques-Cartier at the William Gray Hotel, this terrace swaps cobblestone charm for an airy, aloe-lined escape where fresh flavours and crisp drinks take centre stage. The menu leans light and bright—poké bowls, duck and pork dumplings, and other shareable plates that keep the focus on fresh ingredients without overcomplicating things.

The drinks follow suit, with a globetrotting wine list, easygoing cocktails, and solid mocktail options. There’s no reservations after 4 p.m., so patience might be required, but the setting is worth the wait. Heated and shaded as needed, Perché stays comfortable even when Montréal’s weather can’t make up its mind.

Slipped into the front of a boutique hotel on Saint-Paul West, this all-day buvette leans Parisian without falling into caricature: it’s breezy, polished, and unfussy in the right ways. Behind the project is Thomas Vernis (Santos, Unibar), with design from Maison Charlotte and a food-and-drink team that knows the value of restraint. The plates—burrata with heirloom tomatoes and peach, a “fancy” shrimp sando, spaghetti with charcuterie crumble—read like a moodboard for upscale apéro, and the cocktail list is playful without being cloying (try the Blue Blaze or Ruby Sour). Philippe Champagne handles the wine program with an eye toward natural-leaning bottles that won’t wear you out. The vibe? Bright by day, dim by night, with room for oysters, espresso martinis, and a little too much fun if you time it right.

Set in a former convent in Old Montreal, this microbrewery leans into its irreverent name with a beer list that’s anything but ascetic. Les Soeurs Grises has been brewing on-site for over a decade, with nine house beers that run the gamut from classic to experimental, each paired with a food menu that’s more worldly than monastic. Think pork tacos, salmon tartare, ribs, burgers, and a quesadilla or two—all built to hold up next to a pint. The kitchen, helmed by Juan Pineda, doesn’t shy away from flavour, and neither does the room. The space is casual but polished, more contemporary bistro than brewpub, with just enough edge to keep things lively without tipping into gimmick. If you’re looking for a pint with a backstory—and a spot where history meets house ale—this one has the credentials.

This rooftop oasis on the 8th floor of the William Gray Hotel delivers a dining experience with a view that’s hard to top. Overlooking the St. Lawrence River, the Ferris wheel, and Old Montreal’s historic streets, the terrace transitions effortlessly between seasons, offering breezy summer escapes and cozy winter nights inside its heated glass domes. Whether it’s brunch under clear skies or a five-course dinner beneath the stars, the focus remains on locally-inspired dishes and a strong wine list. A private dome with a fireplace even caters to intimate gatherings. This isn’t just a meal—it’s dining elevated, literally and figuratively.

What started as a neighbourhood pub run by three friends with a shared love of beer and whisky has grown into a full-fledged microbrewery compound in Old Montreal. BreWskey now spans three adjoining venues—the original Pub, the Taproom, and the Annexe—each with its own vibe, tap list, and crowd. The Pub is the coziest of the bunch, all brick walls and whisky shelves, with 20 house-brewed beers on rotation and a kitchen that leans comfort: burgers, poutine, fish and chips. The Taproom ups the ante with a larger space and the occasional live show, while the Annexe plays host to special events and private parties. Across all three, the unifying thread is a commitment to craft—not just in the beer, but in the food, the service, and the laid-back hospitality. Add a few sun-soaked terraces in summer and you’ve got one of the city’s more versatile brewery hangouts.

Slip through the gold door behind Hà and you enter something between a fever dream and a film set. Nhâu Bar doesn’t do subtle. It does lantern-lit ceilings, lush fabrics, and cocktails that veer from lychee and tea to foie gras and plum wine. Co-owner Nicolas Urli and team built the bar to feel like an escape from Montreal—mission accomplished. The space hums with late-night energy but keeps its footing with serious craft: The drink list is sharp, weird, and designed to surprise. DJ sets float between disco, house, and ambient heat, and the food—imperial rolls, fried broccoli, sticky wings—is just indulgent enough to make it past midnight. This isn’t just another speakeasy with mood lighting; Nhâu commits to the bit, and somehow pulls it off. You come here to forget what street you’re on—and you will.

Cartier Arms at the Hyatt Centric Ville-Marie blends Quebecois and British culinary traditions in a space rooted in Old Montreal history. The Burgundy Lion Group, known for iconic pubs around town, brings a refined yet approachable dining experience to this finely designed space from the Gauley Brothers, with décor inspired by London clubs and Canadian railway hotels.

The menu offers a fresh take on English pub classics using high-quality local ingredients. Think crispy calamari, beef carpaccio, and a standout Beaurivage pork chop. For those looking to indulge, Sunday brunch is a must. The bar offers an extensive cocktail selection, as well as drawcards like Martini Wednesdays—a trio of martinis for $25. Paired with a carefully curated wine list, the drinks menu is as diverse as the dishes. Don’t skip on the rooftop terrasse, though.

Perched on the eighth floor of Hôtel Place d’Armes, Terrasse Place d’Armes is where Old Montréal’s after-work crowd converges for a drink with a view. Thursdays and Fridays, the 5 à 7 scene is packed—burgers and mushroom ravioli fuel the post-office crowd before they’re joined by a late-night mix of well-dressed regulars sipping raspberry mojitos.

By day, it’s a more leisurely affair, where long lunches stretch over chorizo Caesar salads and cocktails that don’t come cheap but are worth the splurge. The rooftop itself balances elegance with ease, offering one of the best vantage points over the Old Port. Rain in the forecast? No problem—the partially covered terrace keeps the mood intact no matter the weather.

Le Mal Nécessaire, now located on Saint-Alexandre Street following opening in 2014 in a basement location in Montreal's Chinatown, has redefined the city’s bar scene. This tropical, tiki-inspired bar, founded by David Schmidt, Alex San Gergorio, and Evan Cowie, blends chic minimalism with vibrant charm. Designed by Juliane Camirand, it boasts plush velvet banquettes, warm hues, and subdued lighting, accommodating up to 160 guests. The bar excels in eco-friendly practices, offering meticulously crafted cocktails using fresh, homemade ingredients. Signature drinks, served in fruits, and DJ-curated music in a welcoming atmosphere promises a memorable night of high-quality libations and good vibes.