Where to go for a girls' night out in Montreal

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.

Bord’Elle is where Montréal’s nightlife meets the decadence of a bygone era. Inspired by the roaring 1920s, this Old Montréal hotspot blends Gatsby-era glamour with high-energy club culture, offering burlesque performances, aerial shows, and a scene that’s as much about spectacle as it is about style. The space sprawls across two levels, with private booths, a sprawling central bar, and enough vintage opulence to feel like you’ve stepped into a modern-day speakeasy—one where the champagne flows and the entertainment never lets up.

Founded in 2008, Ateliers & Saveurs was ahead of the curve before “experiential dining” became a buzzword. It remains one of the only places in North America where cooking classes, cocktail workshops, and wine tastings coexist under the same roof—and often bleed into one another. The model is hands-on by design: participants cook, shake, taste, and sit down together, guided by instructors who come straight from professional kitchens and bars. The programming runs wide, from express lunch classes and pasta workshops to mezcal-focused cocktail sessions and deep-dive tastings, but the tone stays consistent—practical, social, and unpretentious. Recipes are shared afterward, the emphasis is on technique over theatrics, and the atmosphere leans more dinner party than classroom.

Part café, part ceramics studio, Les Faiseurs blurs the line between sipping and shaping. Open since 2018 in Rosemont, this is where you can paint locally made pieces in the café, take a wheel-throwing class in the back studio, or simply drink a latte from a handmade mug while watching others at work. The atmosphere is warm and communal—half workshop, half neighborhood living room—filled with clay-stained aprons, soft light, and the quiet rhythm of spinning wheels. More than 15,000 people have learned pottery here, guided by practicing ceramicists who treat craft as both meditation and conversation.

Open since 1981, Taverne Normandie is one of the Village’s enduring fixtures—less a trend than a constant. The vaulted, old-school tavern interior sets the tone inside, while the sprawling terrace has made it a summer magnet for decades, drawing locals, tourists, and the occasional performer fresh off a nearby stage. Karaoke is the main event here, running most nights and encouraging participation with a crowd that’s generous, loud, and rarely judgmental. The bar leans classic and plentiful, with a deep back shelf that lets bartenders improvise without overthinking it, and drink prices that keep rounds coming. Normandie’s appeal isn’t about polish or reinvention; it’s about volume, familiarity, and shared spectacle. Grab a pitcher, take the mic, and understand quickly why this place has lasted.

The Four Seasons Hotel Montreal’s in-house restaurant MARCUS fuses luxury with local flair on an expansive third floor designed by Atelier Zébulon Perron. This communal space welcomes both locals and guests, where the lounge, bar, restaurant, and terrasse offer distinct atmospheres, from an oceanic lounge to a forest-like bar. Helmed by Michelin-starred chef Marcus Samuelsson with executive chef Jason Morris, the venue reflects Montreal's vibrant social scene. Morris, known for his precision and creativity, ensures each dish from the globally inspired menu complements the sophisticated, timeless setting, making MARCUS a culinary landmark in the city.

Sports de Combats has been channeling Montrealers’ pent-up energy into something constructive—or at least entertaining—since the mid-2010s. Best known as the city’s home of the original Rage Cage, it’s also far more than a demolition room. Under one roof, you’ll find axe, knife, and spear throwing, combat archery, Nerf battles, and a serious archery program run by international-level coaches. The appeal cuts across age groups and intentions: corporate team-building by day, birthday parties and bachelorette/bachelor chaos by night. Even the destruction is methodical—items are sourced responsibly and recycled afterward, giving broken electronics one last useful purpose. It’s loud, physical, and unapologetically high-energy, but surprisingly well organized. Think stress relief with waivers, safety gear, and a playlist.

Located just 30 minutes from Montreal, this sprawling 600,000-square-foot location offers a world of relaxation inspired by global thermotherapy practices: Förena Cité thermale is an immersive journey through the traditions of Iceland, Germany, and Russia, brought to life at the foot of Mont Saint-Bruno.

Icelandic baths with cascading waterfalls, Germanic dry saunas perfumed with pine and birdsong, and Russian steam rooms featuring clary sage oils create a multisensory escape. Don’t miss the Aufguss ritual, where a master orchestrates steam, scent, and movement in a rhythmic, therapeutic experience rarely found outside Europe.

Förena balances luxury with environmental mindfulness, incorporating local materials and preserving the natural water network of its farmland surroundings. Beyond the baths, indulge in the chef’s cuisine, therapeutic massages, or guided sensory meditation sessions that blend wellness with inner exploration.

Vino Disco is where wine meets the dancefloor. Located next to the Le Central food hall, this spot has all the makings of a perfect night out: Think Roman pizzas, organic wines from small-batch producers, and a custom-built sound system pumping retro beats. Owner Francis di Stasio may be part of a new generation of nightlife purveyors, but his passion for vinyl runs deep. The DJs here dig through their crates, spinning everything from ‘70s disco to hidden gems, creating an atmosphere that echoes the heyday of the city’s Red Light District. The vibe here is effortless, the music is always on point, and the wine selections are as lively as the crowd.

For over four decades, The Comedy Nest has been Montreal’s home for stand-up, hosting some of the sharpest comedians from around the world. From Just for Laughs regulars to Netflix and late-night veterans, the stage has seen everyone from Sugar Sammy to Norm MacDonald, Jim Carrey, and Russell Peters before they became household names.

Located inside the Montreal Forum, The Comedy Nest is part of a larger entertainment hub, making it an easy stop for a full night out. The 140-seat club keeps things intimate with candlelit tables, a full-service bar, and bites like fresh popcorn and corn chips with salsa. Whether it’s a pro-am night early in the week or a headliner-packed weekend show, every set delivers the real, unfiltered thrill of live comedy.

Founded by Ernie Butler in 1979, the club remains a Montreal institution, carrying on its legacy of laughter and top-tier talent.

The Marché aux puces St-Michel is a gritty, sprawling maze of the unexpected and eclectic, packed with two floors of hidden gems waiting to be unearthed. Think stacks of mid-century furniture, vintage glassware, vinyl records, oddball knickknacks, and rare comics—and that’s just scratching the surface.

This is a place where you’ll lose yourself for hours, rummaging through rows of antique treasures and retro finds, bartering with vendors who range from seasoned pros to the occasional stone-faced holdout. You’re as likely to walk out with a 50s teak dresser as a box of obscure vinyls, and the buzz of the place keeps you coming back. This is the spot for the thrill-seeking collector, the vintage fanatic, or anyone who appreciates the thrill of the hunt.

Eva B is less a boutique than a self-contained world—a maximalist mashup of vintage store, café, costume rental house, and performance venue that’s been absorbing Montreal’s energy since the late ’80s. Step through its graffiti-splattered facade on Saint-Laurent and you’ll find a sprawling, two-floor labyrinth of clothes and curiosities, from velvet dresses and retro denim to carnival masks and patched overalls. The main floor is a riot of textures and eras; upstairs leans more modern and budget-friendly, with items often marked at just a few bucks. Beyond the racks, there’s a small bistro slinging vegetarian sandwiches, $1 espressos, and smoothies, plus a backyard terrasse and event stage. It’s chaotic, theatrical, and unapologetically grungy, drawing everyone from curious tourists to local lifers and stylists on the hunt. Bring clothes to swap, browse with patience, and don’t expect a polished experience—Eva B thrives on entropy, not order.

A/Maze Atwater is where Montreal’s escape room boom quietly took shape. Opened in a former industrial depot on Saint-Jacques Street, the original A/Maze location leans hard into its setting, using exposed architecture and old machinery to ground its scenarios in something tactile and slightly gritty. The games favour atmosphere and logic over jump scares, pulling players into prisons, laboratories, military sites, and myth-laced expeditions that feel anchored rather than theatrical. Rooms are always booked privately—no strangers dropped into your puzzle—and the structure rewards collaboration more than brute problem-solving. It’s also built for groups, handling everything from small friend outings to larger team events without losing coherence. Nearly a decade on, Atwater still feels like the blueprint.

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.

Roller Avenue brings Montreal’s roller disco fantasy back to life, channeling the late-70s and 80s moment when skating, music, and style collapsed into one communal spectacle. The setup is classic by design: a smooth wooden floor, neon lighting, and a soundtrack built for movement—Donna Summer, Earth, Wind & Fire, and the kind of disco that understands tempo as muscle memory. Roller discos weren’t just nightlife novelties; they emerged from Black and queer communities as spaces of freedom and expression, and that lineage matters here. Skates are available to rent, though veterans are welcome to bring their own and show off a backwards glide or two. Whether it’s a first date, a group hang, or a solo lap to reset your brain, Roller Avenue leans into joy without irony. Shoulder pads optional, confidence encouraged.

Ah, the "Broadway of Montreal": Long before it became a shorthand for English-language theatre, Segal Centre for Performing Arts opened its doors in 1967 as the Saidye Bronfman Centre for the Arts. Designed by architect Phyllis Lambert, the building was conceived as a cultural anchor for Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, bringing theatre, music, film, and education under one roof. Reintroduced as the Segal Centre in 2007, the institution sharpened its focus on producing and presenting English-language work while expanding its role as a national incubator for new Canadian musicals and cross-cultural collaborations. Today, its venues—including the Sylvan Adams Theatre, The Studio, and CinemaSpace—support a mix of mainstage productions, experimental work, concerts, and community programming. Alongside professional training initiatives and longstanding ties to Jewish cultural life through the Dora Wasserman Yiddish Theatre, the Segal continues to operate as a working ecosystem for performance in the city.

Willie’s Clubhouse is the latest effort from the team behind Montreal Bowling and Muni to redefine how the city hangs out. Built inside a long-forgotten 3,000-square-foot space in the Forum, it trades on classic pub games—pool, darts, cards—but elevates them with design-forward interiors and an easygoing cocktail culture. Ivy Studio was tasked with channeling a high-end English clubhouse, and it shows: no neon beer signs, no busted felt, no rowdy sports bar clichés.

Instead, you get an atmospheric layout split between a sleek main room lined with 8-ball tables and a moody, lounge-style “Dark Room” for darts, where jazz and soul set the tone. It’s laid-back but deliberate, with a short list of pub snacks, games like chess and backgammon, and a drinks menu that leans heavy on vermouth and amaro. It’s not a bar. Not quite an arcade. And that’s the point—just a grown-up clubhouse for people who still want to play.

Revived by a crew of local hospitality pros, this fourth-floor Forum time capsule blends a Y2K aesthetic with a modern bar menu and just enough grit to keep it interesting. The original neon, woodwork, and Brunswick lanes are still intact, but now there’s smash burgers, pan pizzas, glizzys, nachos named after Peter Weber, and a QR-coded wheel of chance at the bar. You can even order 100 beers for $500 and have them delivered in a bucket. It’s not precious and that’s the point—this is a hangout for people who want to do something while they drink, not just drink. Whether you’re a Concordia student killing time or a former NDG league bowler reliving your glory days, Montreal Bowling makes a strong case for the comeback of good old-fashioned fun.

Muni isn’t your standard sports bar with a couple of simulators stuffed in a corner—it’s an 8,000-square-foot alt-country club for golfers and the golf-curious alike. Designed to bring the fairway indoors, this Pointe-Saint-Charles space merges high-tech GOLFZON simulators with a Southern-inspired menu, a boutique stocked with hard-to-find brands, and a sleek Ivy Studio-designed space that trades cliché snobbery for something far more inclusive.

The brainchild of ex-golfer Emile Ménard and a team behind some of Montreal’s best-known hangouts, Muni’s name—short for “municipal”—is a nod to accessibility. Whether you’re swinging a club for the first time or refining your game with AI swing evaluations, the goal is the same: Have a drink, hit a few shots, and enjoy the game without the rigid traditions. Throw in a cocktail program influenced by New Orleans classics and a menu of biscuits, fried chicken, and Cobb salads, and you’ve got a clubhouse built for everyone.

Glide beneath the towering glass dome of Atrium Le 1000, Montreal’s only year-round indoor skating rink, set inside the city’s tallest skyscraper. Since 1992, this downtown gem has welcomed families, students, and visitors looking to experience one of Canada’s most beloved pastimes—without worrying about the weather.

Bathed in natural light, the rink pulses with energy, whether it’s casual skaters carving the ice or group outings turning laps to lively music. It’s an ideal spot for a spontaneous skate, a fun-filled school trip, or even team-building events. Those looking to refine their skills can sign up for lessons, available for both kids and adults.

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.

This spot in Little Portugal captivates with greenery, leather accents, and steampunk-inspired, art deco charm. A premier Instagram hotspot, by day it's a café serving up Pilot Coffee Roasters' brews and delectable pastries, while it transforms it into a bustling bar by night. The brainchild of the Holder brothers, it occupies the former Les Bobards space with ever-changing menus that showcase seasonal dishes. Seamlessly transitioning from workday haven to vibrant evening haunt, it’s easily earned a spot among Montreal's best cafes.

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.

Sans Soleil is a listening bar in Chinatown, located in the basement of the Japanese restaurant Fleurs & Cadeaux. This unique space combines classic bites, cocktails, wines, and sakes with a refined, vinyl-only atmosphere. Kris Guilty, owner of La Rama record shop, and Hideyuki Imaizumi are behind its offer of a Japanese-style kissa-jazz listening room when they opened it in 2020. Evolving into a vibrant spot, Sans Soleil allows diners to start their evenings with sake and sushi before transitioning into a standing-room-only club that goes late into the night. "The sound is the fabric of the room," says Guilty, whose extensive vinyl collection and 600-pound Klipsch speakers ensure an impeccable auditory experience. Co-owners, including Dave Schmidt and Seb Langlois, focus on providing DJ residencies that align with their musical sensibilities.

Sans Soleil offers an immersive, auditory experience where every note (and moment of silence) counts.

Café Cléopâtre is a relic of Montreal’s red-light district that refuses to fade into history. Straddling the intersection of Saint-Laurent and Sainte-Catherine, it’s a layered experience: an unconventional strip club on the first floor, a historic drag-queen cabaret upstairs, and a time capsule of The Main’s glory days. Here, eroticism meets inclusivity, and tradition rubs elbows with rebellion.

Owned by Johnny Zoumboulakis since 1985, the club is as much about breaking conventions as it is about holding onto them. With a progressive hiring philosophy and a firm belief in respect over profit, Café Cléopâtre is known for challenging the rigid norms of beauty often imposed by the industry. Beyond its performers, it has stood as a safe space for Montreal’s LGBTQ+ community, offering drag shows long before they were mainstream.

Surviving demolition attempts and cultural shifts, it’s not just a venue—it’s a monument to Montreal’s nightlife resilience.

The Société des arts technologiques (SAT) isn’t just a venue—it’s Montréal’s nerve center for digital culture. Founded in 1996, this 44,000-square-foot hub bridges the worlds of art, technology, and immersive storytelling, bringing together creators, researchers, and audiences in a space where experimentation takes center stage. The crown jewel is the Satosphere, an 18-meter dome built for full-sensory, 360-degree audiovisual experiences that push the boundaries of performance and perception.

Elsewhere in the building, Metalab serves as a research playground for emerging technologies, Pavillon offers a laid-back wine bar for casual gatherings, and the SAT’s concert hall and artist residencies keep the pulse of Montréal’s digital arts scene alive. Whether it’s through training programs, live shows, or boundary-pushing immersive works, the SAT remains one of the city’s most forward-thinking cultural institutions—an incubator for the kind of creativity that thrives when art and technology collide.

The Montreal Casino is one of those places where the city’s past and present sit side by side without pretending otherwise. Built into two former Expo 67 pavilions on Notre-Dame Island, it’s a reminder of the era when Montréal showed itself off to the world—and a marker of how the site has been reinvented ever since. The complex stretches across multiple floors of gaming rooms, bars, and performance spaces, all wrapped in the angular architecture of the old French and Québec pavilions. It draws a steady mix of night owls, cyclists arriving from the river paths, and metro riders crossing over from Parc Jean-Drapeau.