Polari is a garage-turned-wine-bar that ditches the pretense. Located in Villeray, this eight-seat counter and handful of communal tables serve as both an intimate hideaway and an unplanned meeting spot for whoever happens to be passing through. Behind the project are three friends—wine industry vet Keaton Ritchie, designer Asa Perlman, and artist Émile Foucher—who built the place themselves, scouring yard sales and Facebook Marketplace for furniture and repurposing a bowling lane into a bar. The wine list leans natural, the snacks are pared-down but thoughtful (think: good tinned fish, Quebec charcuterie, Hof Kelsten bread), and the setup is as casual as it gets—order at the bar, open a tab, and let the night unfold. No over-explaining, no fluff. Just a solid bottle, a bit of food, and a space that feels like yours.
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