Originally a bespoke tailor shop, Cloakroom expanded in 2015 to include a hidden speakeasy accessible through its coat check. This 25-seater bar in Montreal's Golden Square Mile quickly gained acclaim for its exceptional cocktails, leading to a second location in Brisbane. The ambiance is swanky, with drinks crafted to order and crystal-clear ice that adds a touch of elegance. Cloakroom eschews a traditional menu, instead offering a bespoke cocktail experience. Guests discuss their preferences with the expert bartenders, who then create tailored drinks, often inspired by pre-Prohibition classics like the Martinez or Old Fashioned. Founded by Andrew Whibley, Cloakroom blends the charm of a clandestine bar with top-notch mixology.

Travel up a staircase illuminated with black lights, and you'll find yourself in the Milky Way's universe. This bar, with its jungle terrarium skylight and vaporwave accents, offers a vibrant and eclectic atmosphere. As part of the Barroco Hospitality Group, Milky Way boasts a unique cocktail menu filled with ingredients like champagne reductions and toasted sesame oil. The drinks draw inspiration from tiki traditions and Latin American classics, all in a space that features hanging plants, a sleek marble bar, and neon-lit glass brick walls. Plus, you can enjoy delicious pizzas from Fugazzi downstairs, making this a top spot in Pointe-Saint-Charles.

Dimly humming below Little Burgundy’s HENI restaurant, Badin is a 24-seat cocktail-forward listening lounge that opened in April 2024. Accessed through HENI's front doors, this intimate space designed by Juliane Camirand combines low lighting, velour banquettes, and a central DJ stage. It creates a cozy, cocooned setting reminiscent of an audiophile’s living room. Led by Soufian Mamlouk and cocktail program director Émile Archambault, Badin offers innovative, seasonally changing cocktails alongside curated multi-genre vinyl music. Emphasizing intimacy and high-quality sound, Badin’s blend of ambiance, artisanal drinks, and meticulous service promises a unique, memorable experience in the city’s nightlife scene.

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.

Located in the stunning Le Mount Stephen Hotel, Bar George offers an experience steeped in British tradition with a modern, Montreal twist. This grand space, with its vaulted ceilings, chandeliers, and plush seating, sets the stage for an indulgent weekend brunch. On the menu, you’ll find hearty daytime classics like the full English breakfast—complete with black pudding and mushrooms—as well as decadent options like lobster eggs Benedict and scrambled eggs with black truffle. At night, it’s all about finer meals with options like Beef Wellington and black truffle risotto.

The historic building’s lavish decor, from 300-year-old stained glass to 22-carat gold fixtures, makes every meal here feel like a special occasion. Bar George is where Montrealers and visitors alike come for a taste of British-inspired luxury, whether it’s for the food or the atmosphere.

Restarted by chefs Pablo Rojas and Hakim Rahal of Provisions Bar à Vin and Andrew Whibley of the Cloakroom cocktail bar, Bar Dominion's less of a reinvention of the old Dominion Square Tavern and more of a revisit to its formula, drawing inspiration from both its last form and the one from when it first opened in 1927 as a hotel restaurant. The menu's now toned down from the ploughman's lunches and Sunday roasts of yore and now focused on more drinks and snackable food, with Rojas and Rahal opting for a leaner but refined offering of seafood and fish, like a full raw bar brimming with oysters, crab, caviar and lobster.

As for drinks, in addition to wine there are 25 cocktails in all on a menu broken down into martinis, negronis (boulevardiers, white negronis, and so forth), a whiskey-forward cocktail section, a selection of 75s and spritzes, and a section for highballs and fizzes.

Once a simple espresso spot and preamble cocktail bar to Datcha, Montreal's Kabinet has transformed into a refined dining destination. Inspired by 1970s Parisian bistros, the space now features warm, chic decor designed by ADHOC Architectes, with vintage European touches like marble bistro tables, Thonet chairs, and a stunning crystal chandelier from Ukraine. The menu showcases continental classics with modern twists, such as chicken-liver mousse with sea buckthorn gel and 90-day aged beef tartare. Seasonal changes keep the offerings fresh, with a constant selection of local and imported caviar served in various elegant presentations. Complementing the cuisine, Kabinet maintains its acclaimed cocktail menu and a diverse, dynamic wine list, ensuring a sophisticated yet unpretentious dining experience.

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.

Wondering why there’s a red carpet in an alley? Fashioned as a speakeasy, Atwater Cocktail Club (ACC) offers a unique bar experience without requiring a password. Inside, dark walls, shiny silver banquettes, and glass ceilings inspired by French discotheques create a dramatic, intimate atmosphere. The cocktail program, led by award-winning mixologist Kate Boushel, features elegant drinks with high-quality ingredients and innovative techniques. Signature cocktails like the 40 Thieves impress, while the menu offers French brasserie staples from sister restaurant Foiegwa. No reservations are taken, so be prepared to wait on busy nights. With its striking design, intimate ambiance, and exceptional drinks, ACC is a hidden gem in Montreal.

Snowbird Tiki Bar offers a vibrant tiki escape that can’t be found elsewhere in Montreal. Its bamboo entrance transports you to an island-themed paradise, complete with Hawaiian-shirted bartenders, fish decorations, and retro music. The bar's playful ambiance is enhanced by unique seating options, including swings and cozy booths. Drinks like the Pink Flamingo and Cobra’s Fang, all rated by alcohol content, are as good to look at as they are to drink. Shareable drinks like the Garden Party punch, served in a rock bowl with floral garnishes, epitomizes the tropical vibe. Snowbird’s décor and inventive beverages make it a worthwhile indulgence, offering a perfect retreat—especially when winter’s underway.

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.

Projet Pilote’s a multifaceted establishment that blends a distillery, microbrewery, restaurant, and bar into one cohesive space. The vision for this place has been in the works for over half a decade, resulting in a groundbreaking venue where experimentation thrives. Initially conceived as a distillery and bar, the project evolved to incorporate a microbrewery, making it the city's first venue to integrate both into one space. While located next to La Banquise, that diner doesn’t have Pjoet Pilote’s small batches of gin and eaux de vie, or its house-crafted beers. The collaborative spirit extends to the kitchen, which utilizes produce from the rooftop garden to create a menu of flavorful dishes.

Tucked away off Parc Avenue in Mile Ex, Bar Cicchetti brings Venetian charm to Montreal with its focus on cicchetti—small, delightful Venetian snacks—and a curated selection of wines, including macerated vintages. Opened by Elyse Leclerc, Gabriel Lavallée, and Mathieu Delisle, the bar offers a cozy, low-lit atmosphere with a design by architects Julia Manasas and Maxime Lefebvre. Enjoy a vibrant terrace in warmer months and a menu of fresh, seasonal bites on the cheap. With a mix of organic and biodynamic wines, creative cocktails, and a welcoming ambiance, Bar Cicchetti is perfect for a relaxed evening of drinks and snacks.

A bar built for time travel, Le French Line is a distilled version of another era. Set in the reborn 9th floor of the Eaton Centre, this intimate 35-seater takes its cues from the golden age of transatlantic voyages, back when cocktails were sharp, suits were sharper, and no one asked for a QR code menu.

The team behind it—Andrew Whibley, Jeff Baikowitz, Marco Gucciardi, plus chefs Derek Dammann and Liam Hopkins—knows a thing or two about precision. Whibley’s drinks lean into the 1920s and ‘30s playbook, updating classic milk punches and flips with modern technique. The bar program is a love letter to the time when cocktails were an art form, and it shows.

The raw bar, curated by seafood veteran Daniel Notkins, keeps things elegant yet unfussy—oysters, caviar, pristine seafood towers. The room itself? A masterclass in restraint: original tables from the Île de France ocean liner, a view over the city, and a piano playing in the background. No gimmicks, no over-explaining—just a place that understands the assignment.

Big in Japan Bar, a discreet speakeasy-style spot on the corner of Boulevard Saint-Laurent and Rue Rachel, opened in 2011. Renowned for its elusive entrance, marked only by a nondescript door, this bar offers a sophisticated and intimate drinking experience. Inside, you'll find a labyrinthine, wrap-around bar adorned with hanging whiskey bottles, hundreds of candles, and plush draped walls. The drink menu features a stellar selection of whiskeys, sakes, and house cocktails like the Tokyo Mule and Rum Sour. Co-owners André Nguyen and Julie Bisson have crafted a chic, welcoming atmosphere perfect for a cozy date or a night out with friends. Don't miss their unique bottle-hanging service for regulars.

Whether you want to sip on a cocktail or a beer between rounds of pool, Bon Délire is a solid place to be. As its name suggests, this vibrant and playful bar offers a lively atmosphere perfect for an eclectic evening. Past its exterior that resembles a pawn shop, its décor—reminiscent of the late '90s—creates a festive and comforting vibe. Offering a laid-back space where locals can relax and have a good time, the drink menu here entices with boilermakers, a variety of alcoholic slushies like frozé, and expertly crafted cocktails by Thomas Yeo and Kate Boushel. Drinking on an empty stomach is never a good idea, so Bon Délire serves a delicious deli-style menu. Whether you’re playing a game of pool on the leopard-print table, enjoying a quiet drink at the bar after work, or partying until the early morning hours, Bon Délire is there for anyone looking for a good drink and time.

Le 4e Mur offers a gamified bar experience that begins with signing up for their newsletter to discover its secret location. Accessible by pushing against its 'fourth' wall entrance, this Prohibition-era speakeasy is steeped in mystery and ambiance. Inside, you'll find burlesque shows and live jazz, with dapper bartenders and drawn curtains enhancing the allure. The founders, all national championship cocktail titlists and one the founder of L’Ecole du Bar de Montréal, ensure top-tier mixology. Ideal for a romantic date or a night out with friends, Le 4e Mur promises innovative cocktails in a uniquely immersive setting.

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.

Gokudo, a sophisticated Japanese cocktail bar, offers an immersive experience in downtown Montreal. Created by the dynamic team behind Escondite and Biiru, Gokudo combines traditional Japanese elements with a sleek, modern twist. Hidden behind a small restaurant, Ryōshi, the bar is a revelation: Entering through a black curtain, guests find a chic, dimly-lit space with forest green leather benches and a striking tiger mural. The cocktail menu, inspired by Japanese mixologists, features minimalist yet exquisite drinks. Gokudo's relaxed ambiance and authentic decor make it a standout addition to Montreal's nightlife.

Open since August 2023, Bar Bello blends tradition and the Italian charm of Montreal’s Little Italy. Perfect for aperitifs or digestifs, this spot created by Kevin Demers and Benny Bello is a 65-seat bar (with space for 60 more outside) where European elegance is exuded through black-and-white checkerboard floors, navy-blue velvet banquettes, and a bar stocked with Italian liqueurs. Designed by La Chambre Design Co., the space invites you to enjoy classic and innovative Italian cocktails crafted by mixologist Matt Baker. Complemented by high-quality antipasti and nibbles—plus a negroni vending machine that shouldn’t be skipped—Bar Bello offers an exceptional setting to unwind and indulge in true Italian drinking culture.

Taverne Atlantic, debuting in Montreal’s Mile Ex in late 2019, swiftly became a hotspot at the corner of Avenue du Parc and Rue Beaubien. It’s where restaurateurs Alexandre Baldwin, Alexandre Wolosianski, and Éric Dupuis have crafted a stylish Art Deco haven featuring a long, elegant bar, central seating, and a rooftop terrace. The drink menu, curated by Frédérique Fortin and Alexandre Taillon, includes creative cocktails and a robust selection of beers and wines. Chez Eddy Snack Bar complements the drinks with its menu of pizzas, hot dogs, and poutines, blending American comfort food with gourmet touches.

From the crew behind NOMI, Jatoba, and Hà, this is their passion project, their “baby.” Tucked into St-Henri, it feels more like a house party thrown by someone with impeccable taste—Chesterfield sofas, marble bar, the kind of lighting that makes everyone look good. There’s even a fully functional bathroom, just because they could.

Inside, Far West takes things further—a dozen-seat speakeasy offering L’Étude, a three-course cocktail experience where each drink is part of a story. It’s molecular mixology, sure, but not in a gimmicky way. Baby isn’t about theatrics; it’s about experience. Roll the dice for a drink, let the night unfold, and if you know, you know.

In Montreal’s Quartier des Spectacles, Bar Pamplemousse offers more than just "a twist" on the classic pub experience with a focus on local craft beers, wood-fired dishes, and a vibrant design. Opened in May 2018 by a seasoned team of restaurateurs, the bar is a laid-back yet swish spot to drink and dine without pretension.

Boasting 20 taps of carefully curated drinks ranging from beers to ciders, kombucha, and cocktails, Pamplemousse caters to a range of tastes. The food menu, anchored by a wood-fired oven brings smoky and sometimes nostalgic influences to dishes. Think seafood and braised meats alongside a whole gamut of international influences, particularly Middle Eastern and Italian.

Designed by Sarah Pelletier, the space pops with pastel tones, velvet seating, and lush greenery, making it as inviting as the fare.

Poincaré, more laboratory than bar, excels with craft beers and eco-friendly small plates. This hidden gem in Chinatown, opened in 2019 by Hugo Jacques, Jeremiah Bullied, and Francis B. Melançon, boasts a rooftop terrasse perfect for summer. The menu features innovative, lacto-fermented dishes and a rotating list of house-made beers. Poincaré also offers funky natural wines and inventive cocktails, like the Baijiu Caîpirinha. With its welcoming atmosphere, lush rooftop garden, and gravity-fed draft lines, Poincaré provides a unique, delightful experience for both locals and visitors, making it a must-visit spot in Montreal.

Ahuntsic's cocktail bar is a revelation for those who've confined their social scenes to more renowned districts. It's a place that challenges preconceived notions and invites you to explore Montreal's hidden gems. This bar, with its perfect balance of time-honored classics and cutting-edge concoctions, has single-handedly elevated its neighborhood’s status. Every sip is a testament to the skill and creativity of its bartenders, making it a must-visit for any cocktail aficionado. Established in 2013 by Jean-Maxime Giguère, 132 Vintage was born out of a vision to enrich Fleury Street with a cocktail haven. The bar’s initial offering was an array of vintage classics, categorized meticulously by style. Over time, the menu has evolved to include trendy selections, house-specialties, and a notable assortment of tiki drinks.

Occasionally, we’ll mention our plans to visit this gem of a bar, and friends will respond with, “Where?” Though it’s tempting to share the city’s best-kept secrets, N Sur Mackay deserves to be handled with care. Tucked away in Montreal's Golden Square Mile, this unassuming cocktail haven stands out for its masterfully crafted drinks and amiable bartenders. Whether you crave a classic concoction or a unique creation, this bar delivers with finesse. The ambiance exudes a charming blend of intimacy and sophistication, making it an ideal spot for those in the know. Let’s keep it that way.

Set within the sleek Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, Bar Nacarat’s glamour is only really matched by its mixology, where a blend of Ziggy Stardust’s glam rock edge and 21st-century sophistication meets electric energy and some bold cocktails. Picture a vast, open bar where top-tier mixologists work carefully to craft experimental drinks with hand-carved ice.

While often scaled back to a chic rooftop terrasse in the summer, the essence of Nacarat remains intact with crowd-pleasing spritzes, refreshing sangrias, and frozen cocktails that pack in tropical flavours with a punch. Regular DJ sets add to the party atmosphere, but it’s the intimate service and creative drinks—like a smoky Negroni or the unexpected twists of their signature cocktails—which keep you coming back. It’s pure indulgence here.