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.