This is where we're watching the Montreal Canadiens

"One of Montreals largest sports bars, 3 floors of TVs, not a bad seat in the house! - Stop by for delicious burgers, pizza, wings, steak, poutine, salads, craft beer, cocktails and good times. Here at Peel Pub we are committed to having each client receive professional, prompt, courteous and service. We use only the freshest ingredients in all of our food and are dedicated to providing the best Pub fare Montreal has to offer. Since 1962, Peel Pub has maintained the tradition of using fresh, locally grown produce in all of our daily specials . We thank each and every client for their patronage and hope you will join us soon!"

Brasserie Capri has the kind of timeworn charm only a classic, blue-collar Montreal bar can pull off. It keeps the same unpretentious feel that once caught the eye of Anthony Bourdain: The food is straightforward, featuring beloved Quebecois staples like pig knuckle with sauerkraut, smoked meat spaghetti, and a club sandwich with a “secret” family recipe. Hockey reigns supreme here, with screens flashing Habs games and draft beers flowing for loyal fans. Service is warm and often starts with a free basket of popcorn, though the ambiance—a mix of video poker machines, faint stale beer, and dampness—requires a bit of nostalgia.

The Bruno Sport Bar is a time capsule and testament to Montreal’s enduring tavern culture—a place where history, kitsch, and camaraderie come together in an unabashedly authentic way. Sitting unassumingly in Rosemont, this spot draws a loyal crowd who appreciate the sticky tables, vintage beer posters, and classic décor that hark back to an era long before craft cocktails and avocado toast.
 
From the paper-thin hot dogs to jumbo grilled cheeses, the menu is pure, no-frills tavern fare, reasonably priced to encourage a second round (or third). The beer selection may lack the trendy varieties, but it offers a comforting familiarity: pitchers of Sleeman or promotional non-alcoholic brews served without irony. This is a bar that feels wonderfully stuck in 1978.
 
It’s also a place where the community shines: Regulars, mostly silver-haired, gather to swap stories and enjoy simple pleasures, from free popcorn to games on the big screen. The walls are adorned with everything from sports memorabilia to a nearly ancient air conditioning unit doubling as a Loto-Québec promo board. Each visit offers a chance to spot another relic from the past, such as an oversized microwave perpetually set to nine seconds or a jumble of colourful trinkets that defy logic but add character.

La Chic Régal is an unapologetic time capsule, one that stubbornly clings to the spirit of what a good dive bar can be. With its wood-panelled walls and a smattering of hockey pennants, this tavern stands defiant, hosting generations of gritty stories and sloshed patrons. Under the grimy patina, you’ll find laminated newspaper clippings and battered beer signs, remnants of simpler, saltier days. Drinks come cheap, and don’t expect wine lists or mixology here—their “fancy” menu is a nod to nostalgia. The crowd’s a mix: old-timers glued to the bar, younger outliers, and a server whose easy charm just fits.

McKibbin’s Irish Pub is what happens when a classic Irish drinking hole finds a home in Montreal and refuses to leave. It’s a place that checks all the right boxes—pints flowing at all hours, live music every night, and a menu built for soaking up Guinness. Born from a historic red sandstone mansion built in 1904, the pub carries more than just a good pour—it’s got stories, too. Once the residence of pioneering surgeon Dr. Frank Richardson England and trailblazing women’s rights advocate Grace Octavia Ritchie, the building has seen its share of history before turning into one of the city’s go-to spots for a proper night out. Today, McKibbin’s has expanded across town, but the original location on Bishop Street remains a hub for rowdy St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, sports on big screens, and the kind of pub fare that keeps the night going.

Champs has been many things over the years—a no-frills sports bar, a Plateau mainstay, a spot where the beer flows cheap and the games are always on. But under its latest ownership, it’s evolved into something more: a sports bar that doesn’t play by the old rules. It’s still about catching the game, but now you’re just as likely to find a packed house for RuPaul’s Drag Race as you are for the Stanley Cup finals. The neon-lit “SPORTS LESBIANS” sign makes it clear—this is a space built for inclusivity, where queer communities, sports fans, and anyone looking for a good time can coexist. Weekly events like Dyke Night, Kiki balls, and queer strip competitions have cemented Champs as a rare thing in Montreal: a bar that feels like a home base for those who don’t always get one in nightlife. And yes, there’s still plenty of beer.

Barfly is a Plateau institution where cheap beer, live music, and sheer character are on tap every night of the week. This place is pure, unfiltered Montreal, where locals squeeze into the tight space, beers slosh from glass to floor, and a dog might be sharing a pint in the corner. No pretension, no fuss—just raw, homegrown energy and live shows spanning blues to bluegrass. Don’t be surprised if the conversation you start turns into impromptu comedy for the whole bar. It’s the kind of dive that wears its Habs memorabilia like a badge and lets you feel instantly at home, whether you’re there for the music or just the cheap Moosehead.

Bar Social doesn’t just serve drinks—it reclaims Wellington Street as a proper place to have one. This Verdun destination nails the trifecta: solid food, thoughtful drinks, and a room with presence. There’s the custom-built island bar stretching the length of the space, and a warm, wood-heavy design that manages to feel both intentional and unfussy. The menu leans comfort—rotisserie chicken with gravy or salsa verde, mac’n cheese, poutine, pasta—but it’s elevated enough to keep your attention past happy hour. Behind the bar, you’ll find Pimm’s Cups, mojitos, and Old Fashioneds done right, plus West Shefford beer and cider on tap. It’s also one of the rare places in the neighbourhood where you can drink without ordering food—an old legal quirk that makes Bar Social feel a little more like a real bar. Add quiz nights, drag shows, and live sets, plus REALLY bumping parties, and the name starts to make sense.

Bifteck is the people’s bar of St-Laurent, a no-frills dive that stands in delightful contrast to the pricey clubs surrounding it. This two-storey institution pulls in crowds with cheap pitchers, free popcorn salty enough to turn your mouth to sandpaper, and bartenders who keep the vibe just friendly enough. It’s not the place to bring a date, but it’s everyone’s top-five spot to settle into at the end of a night, where friends blend with strangers over a pitcher of Boréale and rounds of pool upstairs.

Bifteck’s charm lies in its unpretentious mix of students, locals, and regularswho’re likely down for a round of pool and a story or two. Legends say it’s where VICE’s founders first met, and that checks out—Bifteck is for the conversationalists, not the scenesters. So grab a pitcher, snag a seat by the front windows, and enjoy a bar where pretension doesn’t stand a chance.

Ye Olde Orchard has built a solid reputation across Montreal, evolving from a single neighbourhood pub into a full-blown local institution with multiple locations. Whether it’s game-night chaos downtown, late-night revelry on the Plateau, or a boozy brunch in NDG featuring breakfast poutine, each spot has its own loyal crowd. The draw? Reliable pints, live music, and staff who actually seem to enjoy being there. The beer list is respectable, the pub fare goes beyond the basics, and the atmosphere is exactly what you want in a Scottish-style drinking den—warm, unpretentious, and ready to keep the night rolling. While each location carries its own energy, they all share the same easygoing charm that’s kept Montrealers coming back for years.

The downtown outpost on de la Montagne sets itself apart with its heritage building setting, adding an old-world charm to the usual Orchard experience. Whether you’re grabbing a pint before a game or settling in for a longer session, it’s a classic spot to kick back in the heart of the city.

Originally a local dive for Saint-Henri residents, Bar de Courcelle was renovated in 2013 while retaining much of its original charm. With a history spanning over 50 years, this spot offers a nostalgic period aesthetic reminiscent of '60s and '70s destinations, complete with vintage textures and materials. Patrons here enjoy tall bottles of beer, classic cocktails, and comfort food in a relaxed setting. The menu includes draft beers, bottled selections, curated wines, and cocktails. It’s a laid-back hangout during the day and a lively venue at night, featuring DJs, live bands, and open mics. All in all, it’s a beloved neighborhood institution where locals and visitors alike gather to enjoy its conviviality.

McLean's has become an iconic bar and restaurant in downtown Montreal with its authentic Irish pub atmosphere. McLean's offers a wide range of food and a large selection of imported and domestic beers. McLean's pub-style décor provides the perfect setting to enjoy the latest sporting events on one of the many large-screen satellite TVs located around the bar. Upstairs, you can enjoy a friendly game of pool or simply sit back and enjoy the company of good friends.

Ziggy’s is a time capsule in the middle of Crescent Street’s high-energy bar scene, a no-frills drinking spot that feels like it’s been here forever—because it has. The kind of pub where the bartender actually remembers your drink, where the walls have soaked up decades of stories, and where, if you listen closely enough, you might just hear echoes of old conversations between Mordecai Richler, Pierre Trudeau, and Leonard Cohen. A favourite among hockey fans, writers, and anyone who prefers a well-poured pint over pretentious cocktails, it’s a place that keeps the focus on conversation and camaraderie. There’s no food, which is fitting—Richler himself used to send cabs to Schwartz’s for smoked meat mid-session. In a city that loves reinvention, Ziggy’s stays true to itself: a classic pub, built for drinking and storytelling, just as it should be.

Moose Bawr is a tribute to the great Canadian tavern experience—rustic, rowdy, and unapologetically indulgent. Since opening in 2014, it has built a reputation as a go-to spot for after-work drinks, late-night eats, and sports-fueled revelry in the heart of downtown Montreal. The space channels the warmth of a chalet, making it just as suited for a casual pint as it is for tackling their infamous 8N8 food challenge—eight loaded items in eight minutes, if you dare. The menu leans into comfort food with house-made sausages, poutines, and deep-fried indulgences, while their seasonal terrasse is prime real estate for summer sessions fueled by inventive sangrias. Whether you’re dropping in for a beer, a game, or a gut-busting meal, Moose Bawr delivers an experience that’s as Canadian as it gets—bold, boozy, and built for good times.

La Remise is what happens when the Plateau’s glossy facade fades away, revealing the kind of raw, untouched grit only a dive bar can pull off. Hidden somewhere in the maze around Laurier, it’s the place you stumble upon by smell alone—a mix of stale beer, smoke, and long-past renovations. Inside, you’ll find aging regulars who’ll rant about permit-free escapades and throw questionable punchlines without batting an eye. The jukebox is a time capsule of Quebec rock, and the decor, if you squint through the dim lights, is a surreal collage of local legends laminated for posterity.

A big bar with a laid-back soul, Church St. Pub is a newer player in Verdun that feels like it’s been part of the neighbourhood forever. Taking over the old Chez Anas spot, it kept the tropical bones and added some rowdy spirit—think Dorito-crusted burgers, deep-fried Mars bars, and a rooftop terrace that comes alive in the summer. The menu’s playful, the drinks are cheap, and the crowd’s a mix of regulars, quiz-night fiends, and live music lovers. Inside, there’s a quieter back room with a pool table if you need a breather. Out front? It’s all about cold pints, solid pub fare, and bartenders who actually seem like they’re having a good time. Whether you’re coming off the metro or rolling in by bike, this is a reliable bet for casual drinks, rowdy nights, or just a fish-and-chips fix that won’t disappoint.

Brasserie Harricana, a standout in Montreal's microbrewery scene since 2015, blends classy craft beer with an inclusive, welcoming atmosphere. Located on Jean-Talon West, this chic spot offers over three dozen beers on tap, many brewed onsite, with options from visiting breweries. The airy, light-filled interior features retro touches and a spacious outdoor terrace. Co-founders Marie-Pier Veilleux and Cynthia Santamaria draw inspiration from the original 1975 Harricana in Amos, Quebec, creating a space where everyone feels at home. Complementing the diverse beer selection, the menu features comforting dishes, perfect for sharing and enjoying in a beautiful setting.