The 2656 Saloon on Promenade Masson captures a moment in Montreal’s growing appetite for country bars. Run by Mikko Barry, the spot takes over a former cocktail bar and transforms it into a space for beer, cocktails, live shows, and weekly country music performances already booked months ahead. Barry is bullish on the trend—he even offers a free beer to anyone who can prove they’re fresh back from the Lasso festival. Cowboy hats hang above the bar, ready to be sold to first-timers who arrive without the right gear, and most of them don’t last long before selling out. Between the Western décor, the dance floor, and the steady lineup of performances, the saloon draws both country fans and curious newcomers. It’s part of a wider shift on the nightlife scene, where country is no longer a novelty but a fast-growing presence in Montreal’s bar culture.